I leaned over, hovering my finger above the red button to continue the interview. “Nothing to be sorry about. You gave me honesty, and I’m just returning the favor.”
Before she could reply, I tapped to start recording again.
“Let’s dial back a bit. You are notorious for not giving interviews. When I googled you, all that came up were stats and bare-bones information. Your Wikipedia page is really minimal.”
“Is there a question in there somewhere?” I asked with a chuckle.
“There is,” she continued. “Being a Minnesota native, how have you been adjusting to the Big Apple?”
“It’s been a refreshing culture shock. After playing for the Michigan StateSpartans for a couple of years, I was gluttonous for adventure. New York seemed like just the right adventure. If I’m being honest, the pizza is worth the hectic pace of the city.”
“Your first season in college, you had thirty-seven goals and thirty-nine assists. That’s an impressive number for a rookie. Any comment on how that was even possible?”
“We had a good coach, and my team worked like a well-oiled machine. It wasn’t just me on the ice—without the other guys on my team, that never would have been possible.” Realizing my good old days were just a blink in the rearview mirror was a little jarring. I felt like I should have been forty talking about this crap, not twenty.
“Out of all the players on the Otters, who do you look up to the most?”
“Frankly, most of them tie for me. Those men are talented and beasts on the ice. One guy who does really stand out, though, is Crosby.”
“That’s interesting for a left forward to reference the goalie, but I like it. What stood out about Will Crosby for you?”
“He’s a team player to his core, a good backbone for the team. I really respect that about him.”
“So what is next for you? Any short-term plans? Long-term?”
I shrugged. “Well, I really have no idea. I am taking this one day at a time. Focusing on my physical therapy is at the forefront of my mind right now. As far as the future, walking without a cane is my first priority, and I’ll figure out the rest as it comes.”
“I think we got it. Can I call you if I have any follow-up questions?” Stormi turned off the recorder while taking the last sip of her mixed drink.
“That’s it?”Not nearly as painful as I expected.
She nodded and checked her watch. “I have dinner plans with my sister.”
“More honesty—I like it. You can absolutely call or text me any time if you need more for your article.”
I gestured to the server as I pulled out my wallet.
“Let me get it,” she interjected. “You had water, and I had an overpriced drink.” Stormi put her hand on mine, and electricity coursed through me.
“I insist on paying. You broke me out of my shell—it’s the least I can do to repay you.”
Her eyes lit up a bit. Anything in the world I could do to keep that going, I was planning on doing.
“Fine, but I owe you one. Maybe dinner when the article is finished?” The way her lips twisted and her cheeks dusted with light strawberry was adorable.
“I’d like that very much.”
“Wonderful. It’s a date.”
Stormi
“How couldI have been so forward?It’s a date? What was I fucking thinking?” I buried my face in my hands while sitting across from Cierra at dinner.
“Hello? He’s hot as hell, and I think it’s about time you get out there. You’re always interviewing these gorgeous men, so one was bound to pique your interest eventually.” Cierra giggled a bit as she watched me die a thousand horrified deaths in front of her.
“He was probably just being nice agreeing to go to dinner with me. I’m a professional, so I can’t let it look like I slept with Cason to get an interview.” My stomach knotted at the thought of the field day the rumor mill would have if that started up.
“And this is why you are going to go out with himafterthe article is released. You’ll be fine.” Cierra dismissed me as she bit down on a meatball.