Made To Be Broken - The Boston Hawks Hockey Series

Book 2 – Chapter Two

Brandy’s POV

God, he is the most self absorbed, argumentative, infuriating man I have ever had the misfortune to work with! Kane f.ucking Grimfield, the man who seems to have been put on this earth for the sole purpose of making my life unbearable.

He always comes in here on the offensive, stone walling me, making out like I’m being some kind of dictator on a power trip. I’m not! Does he think I LIKE being the bad guy? That I want to run around after a bunch of grown men, wiping their noses for them? This is literally my job! To protect the team, to protect HIM! Events organised without the team’s approval is not taken lightly by the higher ups, they are protective of their image and those of their players. Things can and do go wrong, that’s why we have this department in the first place to make sure that no negativity comes back on the guys, their image is part of their damn franchise after all, bad press could end their career but NO! I just love being a pain, a control freak . . a dragon lady.

I snarl over the nickname, one that was given to me by asshole enforcer himself after one of our regular head butts. He threw a damn party in his house which he described as ‘a charity drive’ and charged entrance fees for. It was in fact, pretty much an orgy by the time the police arrived. People were arrested, including Mr big shot, and I once again had to try and smooth over his reckless behaviour with all the event organisers who were threatening to pull our team from their books if we didn’t replace him! I spent weeks putting out those damn fires and I know the PR department were no better off, his name was spat by the boys in PR for quite a while afterwards. Anyway, that stupid name stuck and now everyone who has a beef with me mutters that Dragon lady s.hit under their breath, I f.ucking hate it.

I throw the pen in my hand across the room angrily, watching it hit the wall and fall the ground behind the couch that makes up the small seating area by one of the large windows that that adorn the outside wall of my office. Closing my eyes for a minute, I suck in a deep breath before pushing back my chair and stomping over to where the pen disappeared, sighing heavily when it’s nowhere in sight.

Getting down on my knees, I crawl along the back of the couch, running my hand underneath as a firm knock sounds from my door.

‘Come in’ I call out distractedly, inching further toward the edge of the seat, why did I throw it? It’s my favourite pen!

‘Umm . . Brandy?’ the confused voice of my newest hire, Rory calls out.

Popping up from my hiding spot, I swallow down a laugh as she screams in shock.

‘Sorry’ I mutter, ‘I lost my pen, I was just . . .’ my questing fingers curl around something tube like and I pull it out with a yelp of triumph.

Pushing up to my feet, I walk back to my desk as Rory follows, sinking down into the chair that Mr Arrogant Hockey Player just vacated.

‘Are you OK?’ Rory asks, and I glance up to find her staring at me warily, ‘you just look a little . . . like you want to murder someone.’

I smooth out the scowl that I now realise I’m sporting, something that always happens when I have to deal with a certain Enforcer.

‘I’m fine’ I reply, ‘just dealing with the usual stresses of the job, now, what’s up?’ I ask, focusing on my employee as she smiles.

‘I’ve finished up the schedule for the elementary school visit’ she tells me, ‘Ashton and Tank have both agreed to attend to give the kids a talk about being a hockey player. We’re also going to get some pucks made up with the team logo, to give away to the kids as prizes for shooting a goal past our grumpy goalie.’ She smiles as I laugh at her accurate description, ‘I assume that he’s going to be having an off day’ I tease.

Rory giggles, ‘he might be’ she agrees, ‘but we will have plenty of pucks if that’s the case.’

I nod, smiling back at the woman across from me, I like Rory, I did from the moment I met her in the foyer of the admin building. She was nervous but open, what I saw was what I got, and she was honest. When pushed about why she applied here, she dropped the generic response of every applicant before her and was real with me. I liked that, I appreciate honesty and though she’s overqualified, I gave her the job and it’s been one of the best decisions I ever made.

Now she’s in a serious relationship with one of our guys as well, I don’t think she’ll be leaving me anytime soon, and with her qualify and dedication? I hope it’s never.

Beside me my phone chimes with a reminder, I startle slightly, snatching up my phone, my breath catching slightly as I see the appointment on my screen.

‘Everything sounds great Rory’ I tell my assistant, reaching under the desk for my bag, ‘type it up and leave it on my desk, I’ll double check it tomorrow. Sorry, I need to run, I have an appointment I need to get to’ I add as I stand up.

Rory mimics me, her brow creasing, ‘nothing’s wrong is it?’ she asks tentatively.

I meet her concerned look, mildly surprised but a little touched, I don’t have any female friends, well if I’m honest I don’t have any friends’ period, I don’t really have anyone.

I don’t know if it’s me, my dedication to my career, feeling intimidated, but I find people hard. I’m not very sociable and outside of the office, I’m a little awkward, it’s why I only attend galas and events where I’m working. Business talk I can do, small talk and social stuff? Not so much.

‘I’m fine’ I reply, giving her a small smile, ‘it’s just a routine check up.’

Rory nods, stepping around the chair and heading to the door, her hand on the handle before she hesitates and looks back.

‘Well just in case, if you ever do need someone to talk to . . about anything . . I’m happy to lend an ear’ she tells me, giving me a smile before she disappears out of my door, shutting it quietly behind me.

I freeze, staring at the entrance for a second, a little thrown by the offer. For a split second I war over calling her back, saying I DO have something I’d like an outside perspective on but as my phone buzzes again with my second warning, I shove it aside, striding toward the door to my office and walking out, heading out f the building and to my car.

Traffic is light as I make my way through Boston, my thumb tapping with nervous excitement as I search for a parking space near my destination. Spotting an SUV pulling out to my right, I pull up behind him, barely leaving enough room for him to manoeuvre out before I slide into his space just as someone honks loudly at me.

‘Tough luck dude, I saw it first, it’s mine’I mutter to myself as I kill the engine and grab my purse from the passenger seat, opening the door and sliding out. As my feet hit the pavement, a wave of uncertainty washes over me, s.hit! am I doing the right thing? Is this really a good idea?

I suck in a deep, calming breath before I push myself to my feet, straightening up and shutting the car door behind me. Turning to the right, I start walking, my mind churning over what I’m about to do.

I reach my destination much quicker than expected, glancing up at the tall, glass fronted building, I tighten my grip around my purse strap slightly.

‘You can do this Brandy’ I tell myself firmly, ‘it’s what you want, now go in there and get it.’

I nod firmly to myself as I step toward the door, pressing my hand to the long, metal handle and pushing the glass door open. Inside is a clean, sleek, minimalistic space, straight in front of me, a large reception area made of white marble is placed, a woman in her forties seated behind.

I walk over to her as she looks up, her well practiced smile falling into place.

‘Good afternoon Miss’ she greets me, ‘welcome to New Hope Fertility Clinic, how can I assist you?’

I return her smile with an awkward one of my own, ‘good afternoon’ I reply nervously, trying not to fidget as my cheeks start to feel warm, ‘I’m here to see Dr Wyatt . . I um . . . I have an appointment . . . ‘