Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 65884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
“Oh. What is it?”
He glanced around as if making sure we were out of earshot. “I want to do it again.”
“You want…sex? With me?” I squeaked, my mouth suddenly dry as a desert. “I mean, yes, I’m interested, but it’s a terrible idea.”
Ty pursed his lips in amusement. “I—yeah, but that’s not what I meant.”
“Oh, uh…”
“You said your next assignment is making milkshakes at the diner. I want to tag along. If that’s cool.”
I hadn’t expected that. “Why?”
He tugged an errant lock of hair on his forehead and flashed an enigmatic grin. “We’re the talk of the fucking town, Walker. I had a hundred thousand new followers overnight…just like you said. Honestly, I didn’t notice, but my agent did. Or maybe someone from the Jackals’ PR team called him. They love the press. It’s good, clean fun, and it goes with the wholesome LGBTQ-friendly rookie vibe they’re spinning.”
“Oh. Right.”
Now would have been a nice time for the ground to open in the parking lot and swallow me whole.
Oooh, my God! Had he really asked if he wanted a repeat?
“You don’t have to answer now. Just think about it.”
I managed a tight nod, tipping my chin at the crowd who’d gathered nearby. “Your friends are waiting.”
“Yeah, I should go. I’ll text you tomorrow.”
I hustled to my car, anxious to make a speedy getaway. I needed space to process this new twist with Ty. I had whiplash trying to make sense of where we stood. He didn’t hate me anymore, which was good, but that probably had something to do with that ill-advised albeit amazing sex-against-the-wall scene in my office. I wanted to be ashamed of myself for my lapse of judgment—however, the only emotion I could muster was confusion peppered with a smidge of concern that I’d opened a new can of worms.
Ty wanted another spot on my show. He wanted to use me for exposure…a variation of what I’d initially offered, but tagging along with me was practically a takeover. Or was it? I didn’t know anymore, and every time I tried to sort out my thoughts, I got sidetracked by the memory of his hand on my dick and his tongue in my mouth and—
“There you are. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to rescue you from the lions’ den…or the bears’ den, as it were.” Robin pushed his glasses up as he stepped around my Mini.
I clutched my chest with a gasp. “You scared me. What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you, same as I always do after our testosterone-laden locker room ventures. I escaped before you. I had to. The smell of body odor was stronger than usual,” he reported. “I was about to vamoose, but I spotted you chatting with none other than our man of the hour.”
“Um…yes.” I opened the car door and tossed my bag inside.
“Mr. Czerniak must be quite thrilled with his What’s New, Smithton? collaboration. I recorded some nice footage tonight to add to his lore. It helps that he had a great game. All in all, I’d say this went well, don’t you think?”
“He wants to do it again.” I puffed out my cheeks in exasperation.
“Another interview?”
“No, he wants to come with me to the diner to make milkshakes.”
Robin wrinkled his nose. “Why?”
“Good press. We used him for a story, now he wants to use us.”
“Oh.” His brow creased as if weighing the pros and cons of an extended venture with Smithton’s jock of the hour. After a moment’s consideration, he nodded. “It’s a favorable proposition.”
“You think so?”
“Affirmative. Pooling your combined star power for a few episodes should result in even higher ranking than we currently enjoy.” Robin patted my shoulder. “You’ve turned a hopeless situation into a win. Well done, my friend!”
I smiled awkwardly.
Maybe Robin had the right idea. This was business. Nothing personal. The kiss, the blowjob, the heart palpitations that occurred whenever Ty was in the vicinity were inconsequential. I had control here, and I could handle a couple of hours more in his presence without losing perspective.
I hoped.
CHAPTER 12
TY
Two hundred and fifty-three thousand followers.
Make that two hundred and sixty. Two-seventy.
Fuck, each time I checked my cell, I gained another ten thousand. Or more.
“This isn’t normal,” Toby cautioned. “I hope you know that. I guaran-damn-tee you I’ve never had an AHL’s PR team go fucking bananas over a newly signed rookie’s social feed. I’ve been fielding calls from someone named Magnus who knows a guy at Sports Illustrated, but—”
“Whoa. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Toby. What’s New, Smithton? works because it’s small-town college content. Going bigger is too much, too soon. I need to prove I have what it takes on the ice first.”
Toby chuckled on the line. “You don’t have to tell me how it works, Czerniak. I’m a goddamn dinosaur. I have sixty-plus apps on my phone, I use five of them, and I don’t know how to get rid of the others without giving myself a headache. I know this, though—you got nothing if you don’t have game. Thing is…we know you’ve got game, and the Jackals know you’ve got game. Why not show off at Smithton? Get in on the redhead’s action. Consider this experiment a personal editorial or a sneak peek at the life and times of young Ty Czerniak. A subtle nudge to the hockey community that something special is coming their way. Emphasis on subtle. Where’d you say you’re going today?”