Shattered Ice

His idea

*Virginia*

The gym hums with the sound of clanging weights and upbeat music, the air thick with determination and the scent of sweat. I lean against the wall, my laptop perched on a nearby bench, while the PR manager, Marissa, flips through a folder of potential new sponsors for the Charleston Pelicans. We have been looking for placement of sponsor names in the gym, and brainstorming ideas.

“Okay, Ginnie, listen up,” Marissa says, her voice low but firm, as she scans the pages. “We need to nail down these advertisements for the upcoming season, and it is your job to sign them. The last thing we want is for the team to lose visibility while we're fighting for sponsorships. It’s crucial we make a good impression.”

“Absolutely, I’m on it,” I respond, my fingers tapping nervously against the keyboard. Being new here, the pressure to impress is palpable. I glance around the gym, taking in the players going through their routines, each one looks focused and driven.

“Speaking of impressions,” Marissa adds, a sly smile creeping onto her face, “We have some new players that could be PR gold… like Caleb Mackinnon?”

I give a small huff. “More like PR disaster.”

“But he is so very charming,” She says with a small sigh. “And kind of handsome… I mean those eyes…”

I roll my eyes, but I can't mask the hint of a smile. “Oh, I’ve noticed. It’s hard not to with that smirk of his.” Caleb’s confidence is magnetic, his playful banter making my heart race and distracting me more than I’d like to admit.

“He’s got the kind of charm that can reel in sponsors,” Marissa says, nudging me with her elbow. “You should totally leverage that. Get him on board for some community events. A little celebrity magic could go a long way.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “You think I can just charm him into helping out? He’s not just a pretty face, Marissa.”

“Pretty faces can be golden assets, Ginnie,” she winks. “And I bet you can charm him i to helping.”

I can feel my cheeks heat up, and I glance toward the weight area, just in time to see Caleb, wearing a tight tank top, lifting his weights, his muscles flexing with every rep. He catches my eye and smirks, a playful glint in his gaze. My heart skips a beat, and I force myself to look away, focusing back on Marissa.

“Anyway,” I say, trying to sound nonchalant, “we have to figure out which sponsors would get the most visibility and what events we can plan.”

“Right,” she nods, her tone becoming serious. “But don’t forget to work your magic on Caleb. I have a feeling that you can handle him.”

Just as I’m about to respond, Caleb saunters over, wiping the sweat from his brow with a towel. His presence is commanding, and I can’t help but admire the way he carries himself.

“Hey, ladies,” he greets with a playful tone. “Are you plotting world domination without me?”

Marissa shoots me a knowing look before replying, “Just trying to make sure the Pelicans come back on top, Caleb. You know how it is. We need good publicity and sponsors.”

“I do,” he says, leaning casually against the wall, his eyes flickering between Marissa and me. “But I think I could help with that. I have a few ideas for community events that could bring in some great sponsors.”

“Really?” I ask, surprised and intrigued. “What do you have in mind?”

He crosses his arms, the muscles in his biceps flexing slightly. “I was thinking something adventurous, like a beach volleyball tournament or a charity swim. Something that gets the fans involved while showcasing the team, especially the new players.”

I can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. “That sounds like a great idea! We could partner with local businesses for prizes and promote it heavily on social media.”

“Exactly,” he replies, his gaze locking onto mine. “And you and I could co-host it, make a splash together. What do you say?”

My breath hitches at the double entendre, and I can feel heat rising to my cheeks. “I say it sounds like a lot of work, but it could be fun,” I manage to say, keeping my voice steady.

Marissa smirks, clearly enjoying this exchange. “I think it’s a perfect idea. Just make sure you keep the flirting to a minimum while working.”

Caleb laughs, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. “No promises, Marissa. I can’t help it if I enjoy Ginnie’s company.”

“Oh it’s Ginnie, is it…” Marissa says. “You two know each other?”

“We are neighbours,” I say shooting Marissa a mock glare, but inside, I’m buzzing with excitement. “Well, if we’re going to do this, we need to come up with a plan. Let’s meet later after practice and brainstorm.”

“Count me in,” Caleb says, a charming smile spreading across his face. “I’ll bring the charm; you bring the ideas.”

I can’t help but return his smile, but I shake my head. “You have to bring a little more than that, bud.”

As he heads back to the weights, I watch him for a moment longer, the way he moves with confidence and purpose. Marissa nudges me gently, pulling me back to reality.

“See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?” she teases.

I roll my eyes, trying to play it cool. “It’s just business, right?”

“Sure, if that’s how you want to play it,” she laughs, returning to the sponsorship plan.

But as I dive back into my work, my thoughts drift to Caleb and the potential his ideas have. I mean I had honestly not expected him to be this open to helping with this side of the team, considering his reputation, so I am positively surprised… maybe his reputation is worse than the man.