My palms instantly got sweaty.Could this really be what I think it is?
You’ll be securing my slot in my job. I am on temporary status and an interview with you could be the game changer I’ve been hoping for.
My words were honest. I didn’t want to give him some flowery, bullshit response.
Meet me at The Tippler on 15thtonight at 5.
I smiled widely at this text and quickly replied.
See you then.
In one day I had gone from scared to death that I was going to lose my dream job to skyrocketing to cloud nine. The chips were finally stacking in my favor, and all I had to do was continue to play my cards right.
Chapter 2
Cason
“Why’d you agree to meet with me after turning interviews down for weeks?” Stormi enquired over her Old Pal, a delicious whiskey cocktail.
“Is this on or off the record?” I knew I had to be careful as most reporters would print anything no matter what outcome it meant for the interviewee.
“Off, if you want it to be.” Stormi’s face was soft and kind. Her dark green eyes had a simple edge to them that divulged her motives, though, and it was obvious she was hungry for a career-making story. She shouldn’t have confessed it so cavalierly. In the wrong hands, that information could be deadly.
“Off, for now. To answer your question, it was your candor. Not too many people are as honest as you were in your text.” I sipped on my water as her eyebrow rose.
“Here’s to honesty, then.” Raising her glass, she giggled a bit, a sweet melody that rang out in the dimly lit bar. “Should we dive in?”
“By all means, let’s get down to it.” Sitting across from her, my heart started pounding. Deep down, I knew I wasn’t going to like what was coming, but it was a bitter pill I was willing to swallow for her. There was just something about her, an eagerness that radiated out. I recognized it well, and for some reason, I cared to see the spark ignite into a fire.
“May I record this?” she requested as she pulled out her phone.
“Whatever you want.”
“Mr. Bennett, when did you start playing hockey?” She cocked her head to the side as she waited for my answer.
Clearing my throat, I rubbed the back of my neck. “I think I was born with skates on my feet. A Minnesota boy has two options growing up: play hockey or get ridiculed for not doing so.”
“Did you always know you would go pro?”
“There wasn’t a day I practiced that I wasn’t aiming for that coveted goal. Once I saw there was a chance to see that dream turn to reality, there was no stopping me.”
“You were recruited with Chase Harding. Can you comment on the other rookie’s performance?”
“It was an honor to share the rookie title with such a talented and accomplished player. To be honest, he is a better skater than I am. Working with him and the other men on the team was a dream come true.”
“But that dream was short-lived. How have you been coping since your untimely injury?”
Damn.She didn’t waste any time getting to the point.
“As well as to be expected, I guess. Am I upset? Of course. Am I a little bitter? Definitely, but that’s the gamble of playing in the big leagues.”
“How has the recovery been for you? Any chance for a miraculous comeback?”
That question stung. I bit the inside of my cheek as I mulled over the best way to answer.
“If the doctors are correct, and I fear they are, no. The damage has been done, and I have to hang up my skates. It’s a tough pill, but I have to swallow it, even though I’m reluctant to do so.”
Her eyes softened as she turned off the recording app on her smartphone. “I am very sorry, Cason. I was hoping for a different answer.”