How To Hate A Hockey Player

SERENA'S POV My phone screen lights up with a text from Rosie, and I unknowingly let out a breath of relief. Damn, I really needed a distraction. Rosie: Daisy is already at school, and just so you know, she asked for her daddy. Again. It's becoming really hard to keep lying to her. Technically, it's not lying because my Daisy doesn't have a father as far as I'm concerned. But that doesn't stop the knot from beginning to tie in my stomach. Just as I'm about to type back, another text pops up. Rosie: But I did tell her she's got two mums, and that makes her cooler and luckier than every other kid. She adds a wink emoji. Seeing that, the knot loosens, and there's a huge smile on my face. Seriously, everyone needs a best friend like Rosie in their lives. Me: Thanks for dropping her off. Really, what would I have done without you? She sends an eye-roll emoji in response, followed by, “Nothing, babes. Now spill, how's it going?” Just as I'm about to respond, a group of guys walk past me, and I notice the not-so-subtle glances they're throwing my way. No doubt they are Wild Wolfe's players if the unnecessary broad shoulders, well-built bodies and… ah, the team's logo plastered boldly on their jackets isn't a sign. I glance down at my body for the hundredth time just to make sure I'm not showing any skin, then tug at my sweatshirt even if there's absolutely nothing to tug at. As if enjoying my discomfort, one of the guys mutters something to his other two buddies, and they all laugh before disappearing into a corner. I let out a sigh before returning my attention to my phone. Then I type, “I wanna disappear, pleaseeee come pick me up.” Three dots appear, then vanish. Appear again… and her name pops up on the screen. I don't let it ring before picking up. “Are you backing out now?” is the first thing I hear when I place the phone on my ear. “I'm having second thoughts. You know I've been in the lobby for an hour now. What if he's changed his mind?” I get silence in response, and I'm positive I've convinced her to come pick me up. “You better chase out whatever unholy thought you have right now, else I'll drive over there and give you a sermon.” She isn't joking. The fact is, Rosie is pretty scary when she's serious. And I do not like serious Rosie. “Grayson is gonna come, trust me. I mean, why would he even change his mind? You're the real deal!” I love Rosie being my confidence booster, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't know my place. “I'll give you a reason: me being chubby and outta shape is a solid one. Seriously, I'm beginning to think working with a hockey team isn't meant for me. Especially one as popular as Wild Wolfe.” “Don't do that. I really hate it when you talk about yourself like that. You know what? I'll ring him up now. He's probably caught up in traffic.” “Serena Wills?” Someone calls out behind me. When I turn around, he's already close, and judging by his looks, he isn't a player. I'm not saying he's bad-looking. He does, in fact, have the kind of face that'd make any lady weak in the knees. “Miss Wills?” He resorts to using my last name, and only then do I realise I still haven't so much as uttered a response. I quickly put my phone away after half-yelling, “I'll call you back,” to Rosie before disconnecting the call. “Yes?” I ask, quite unsure where this conversation is heading. He tugs at his glasses, which kinda makes him… I dunno, hot? If he's a ten and wears glasses, he's a hundred. Rosie's words, not mine. “Grayson.” I take his outstretched hand skeptically. “I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. Something came up.” When Rosie said she knew a guy in the Wild Wolfe medical team who could work something out for me, I didn't expect that guy to be the man standing before me. After what seems like forever, I realise I'm still holding Grayson's hand, or rather, he's still holding mine. I hastily let go at the same time he mutters, “Come with me.” We walk past the receptionist, who has been throwing what I assume are bitchy looks my way for some unknown reason. I decide to ignore her, whereas Grayson acknowledges her with a nod. After taking many turns, we finally arrive at what seems to be Grayson's office. He ushers us in and asks me to make myself comfortable. So now I'm seated on the really fluffy couch while Grayson puts his coat away. His office looks huge. There's a pile of books to the left, a mini stretcher bed just by the window, but what pulls my attention is the stuffed dinosaur sitting on his desk. Weird. “So… Rosie tells me you've been away from practice for years.” He says, adjusting his chair so he's facing me. Yeah, well, things happen. Like me getting pregnant and ditching the future I had planned out. But I don't tell him that. Apparently, my silence is enough of an answer because he continues. “You know, I've got to say I'm quite impressed. Your qualifications are amazing, especially considering how long you've been away.” He pulls out what seems like a file from his drawer and flips through the pages, searching for God knows what. “You completed your clinical placement at St. Claire Medical Center?” I nod. “Two years?” “Two years.” That's where I met Ryan Shane. He pauses for a moment, then looks back at the file. “Sports rehabilitation?” Another nod. He closes the file and leans back in his chair. “Five years is a long time, Miss Wills. I'm not going to pretend otherwise.” My fingers tighten around each other. “But your qualifications are solid, and Rosie seems to have a lot of faith in you.” A small smile tugs at the corner of his lips. “So I'm willing to give you a chance.” My heart skips. “Welcome to the team, Miss Wills.” I got in. I. Got. In! “Thank you!” It takes every ounce of self-control not to jump out of my seat and pull him into a tight hug. A grin slowly spreads across his face, revealing killer dimples. Damn. “You're welcome. That said, you'll be working under Carolyn for a while. She's our lead physiotherapist, and she'll fill you in on everything you need to know.” I nod, trying my hardest not to grin like an i***t. I'm really doing this. The moment I step out of his office, I pull out my phone and shoot Rosie a quick text. Me: I got the job. Her reply comes almost instantly. Rosie: Clock it. I bite back a laugh as I slip my phone into my bag. Finding my way back to the entrance is easier than I expect, and with every step, the reality of it sinks in a little deeper. I'm actually going to be working here. By the time I reach the lobby, I'm smiling so hard my cheeks hurt. I even smile at the receptionist on my way out. Then I walk towards the elevator. And stop. My smile disappears. No. Absolutely not. There, across the lobby, is the last person I expected to see. Ryan freaking Shane. My heart drops. Please don't see me. I pray silently for him to keep walking while I force my brain to think. The elevator doors open, but instead of entering, Ryan turns back. When our eyes finally meet, the rest of the world falls into silence, and despite myself, the rhythm of my heart changes. Even after five years, Ryan Shane still has that effect on me. Fuck my life.