Pucking contract

Chapter 2: The proposal

"Tell me you didn't agree to it."Maya Bennett stared at her roommate. "I haven't agreed to anything.""Good.""Why are you looking at me like that?""Because you're thinking about it" Maya closed her laptop. "I'm thinking about how ridiculous this entire situation is.""That's not the same thing.""It absolutely is." Her roommate, Priya, dropped onto the other side of the couch. On the television, the university hockey team's press conference played silently.

Eli Carter stood behind a microphone. He looked exhausted. Maya refused to admit that she noticed. She folded her arms. "He caused the incident.""According to the video""I saw the video.""So did everyone else. Maya glanced at the television.

The reporter asked something. Eli leaned toward the microphone. His answer was impossible to hear without the sound. Maya already knew what he was going to say. He was sorry. He didn't mean for it to happen. He was protecting a teammate. He regretted losing his temper, Standard athlete apology.

Maya looked away. "So why me?" Priya blinked. "Because apparently you're the only person the athletics department thinks can convince people he's not a complete disaster.""That's insulting.""To you?""To both of us" Priya laughed. Maya didn't. Her phone buzzed. She checked it.

AN EMAIL - URGENT MEETING — ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS

Maya sighed. "You have got to be kidding me.""You should go.""I know.""And Maya?""What?" Priya pointed at the television. "Don't fall for the face."Maya looked at Eli again.She rolled her eyes. "I don't.""Good.""I don't.""You're staring.""I'm analyzing.""You're staring analytically." Maya grabbed a pillow and threw it at her.

The next morning, she walked into the athletics building expecting a lecture. Instead, she walked into a negotiation. Three people sat around a conference table.Coach Reynolds. The university's communications director, And a woman Maya recognized from television. "Ms. Bennett," the communications director said. Maya sat. "Why am I here?" The woman across from her folded her hands.

"My name is Vanessa Grant. I produce a new reality series." Maya frowned. "I don't watch reality television.""You don't need to.""Then why am I here?" Vanessa exchanged a look with the communications director. "We're producing a show about university athletes." Maya leaned back. "Okay.""And we've been looking for two students who can participate in a central storyline." Maya's eyes narrowed. "No.""You haven't heard the proposal.""I don't need to." Vanessa smiled politely. "It's a relationship storyline." Maya nearly laughed. "No.""Fake relationship." She stopped.

Coach Reynolds watched her carefully. Maya looked around the room. "You want me to pretend to date Eli Carter?""Yes.""No." Vanessa didn't seem surprised. "We would compensate you.""No.""Your student organization would receive funding.""No.""You'd receive a paid internship with the production company." Maya hesitated. Only for half a second, Vanessa noticed. "So you are interested.""I'm not.""You hesitated.""I was offended by how expensive the offer sounded."

Coach Reynolds sighed "Maya. She looked at him "Why me?""Because people trust you,""People trust me?"You're involved in student leadership. You're academically strong. You're not part of the hockey crowd.""So you want someone who looks independent.""Exactly, Maya shook her head. This is insane." Vanessa slid a folder across the table. "The show begins filming in three weeks." Maya didn't touch it. "Why does Eli need a fake girlfriend?""Because his reputation is collapsing.""I noticed.""And because the show already has interest from several networks."

Maya looked at the folder. "You planned this before last night's game?""No.""Then why me?" Vanessa smiled. "Because Eli suggested your name," Maya's head snapped up. "He did what? Coach Reynolds looked uncomfortable. "He asked who could help him.""And someone suggested me? "Eli did."

Maya stared at him. The same Eli Carter who had once laughed when she gave a presentation about athlete conduct, The same Eli Carter who had called student council "a club for people who enjoy meetings That Eli Carter had suggested her? "Why?" The door opened.

Maya turned. Eli stood there. He wore a dark university jacket and looked like he hadn't slept. Their eyes met.Neither spoke. Then Eli looked at the folder "You got here first." Maya stood. "You suggested me.""Yes "Why?" Eli stepped into the room. "Because you hate me." Maya blinked. "What?""You don't like me.""That's true. "And you don't care about hockey.""Also true. "So if you're pretending to date me, nobody will think it's real." Maya stared at him. Then, despite herself, she almost smiled "That's your pitch? "It's the truth.""You're terrible at this.""I know."

Vanessa cleared her throat. "Perhaps you two should talk privately." Maya and Eli looked at each other. "No," they said simultaneously. Coach Reynolds sighed. "Please." They stepped into the hallway. Maya crossed her arms. "This isn't happening." Eli nodded. "Probably not.""Probably?""I need you." She stared at him. He looked serious. Not arrogant. Not amused. Just tired Maya lowered her voice. "Why?""Because everyone thinks I'm dangerous.""You did lose your temper.""I know.""Then fix it.""I'm trying.""Why should I help?"

Eli looked at her for several seconds. "Because I know what it's like when people decide who you are without asking." Something shifted inside Maya. She didn't know why. Maybe because she recognized thefeeling. Maybe because there was something in his expression she hadn't expected. She looked away. "This doesn't mean I like you. "I know.""And it doesn't mean we're actually dating.""I know.""And if you embarrass me—""I won't." Maya looked at him."You don't get to promise that." A tiny smile appeared on his face "Fair. She hated that smile. Mostly because it made him look human, And that was going to make this much harder