Love Faces Off

The sun felt great on her skin. She felt like she had been locked up in that auditorium for months. In reality, it had only been two hours. But those two hours had been the most important of her life. They signified the end of her collegiate career and the beginning of the life of her dreams. Raegan Moore had known since she was ten years old what she wanted to be. She had planned for it, worked for it, and other than that brief hiccup at twenty-two, she had remained steadfast on her path. Nothing would deter her from seeing her dreams come true. She had finished up a grueling defense of her dissertation on the long term effects frequent concussions have on the brain. In two weeks, final grades would be published. Four weeks from then she would graduate with a PhD in sports medicine. Then…. the sky was the limit. Eight years of her life had been dedicated to pursuing this passion. It had taken her a few years longer than others but she did it. At twenty-six, she had everything she had always wanted. A great job in her field of choice. Not just anyone can be a lead athletic trainer for a NHL Hockey team. She had to fight her way from the bottom to get to where she was today. After graduation, she would be named Assistant Head Athletic Trainer for the Tampa Thunder. The current back to back Stanley Cup Champions. If all went according to plan she would be the youngest and first female to hold such a title. After everything that happened four years ago, she wondered if she would ever conquer this mountain and here it is the day she had dreamed about. Now standing outside in the warm Florida Sun on this February afternoon, the future seemed within reach. Just then her text notification went off. It was Dr. Brannon the director and Head of the Athletic Division Raegan, how did the dissertation go? I feel good about it. My professor said it was the best he had heard this semester Good. I knew you had it in the bag. Late season trades report today. Can you be at the stadium by 5pm to be part of the intake physicals? Checking her watch she saw it was 2:35pm. It would be close in Tampa traffic but she could do it. She knew Dr. Brannon was grooming her to take over the whole athletic division when he retired. I can make it. How many do we have? Anything we are looking for? 4 new trades. Hollander backup goalie from vegas, steinman forward from the avalanche, lemur is headed down to the minor leagues as a defensive prospect and Bell from the maple leaves. He has had several knee and head injuries so be thorough. He is expected to start right away. Raegan groaned. Nick Bell, had a reputation on and off the ice. Aggressive but not excessive on the ice. He was 6’6” forward that like to score but like to take hits against the boards even more. Off the ice he stayed in the tabloids. Even down in Tampa his exploits in Toronto were heavily documented. Models, actresses, waitresses, trainers you name it he has dated them. A very public playboy. The self proclaimed confirmed bachelor was voted hockey’s sexist man 3 years running. Raegan was not looking forward to this new presence in the locker room. There would be a learning curve. There always was. But he would learn the way the rest did. The Ice Queen is cold hearted and not likely to melt for some player from Toronto. As Raegan reached her car in the parking lot she sent a quick text. looks like the Bell trade happened I just heard. No worries I’ll handle it. Thanks. What would I do without you?Kisses. don’t tease. My broken heart can’t take it.wink Raegan grinned to herself. Pete LeBlanc was the long time captan of the Thunder and the only player she had ever considered breaking the rules for. From the first day she came on eight years ago as the water girl there was a connection between them. Pete was the the type of player that seen the staff no matter how low on the ladder they were. He took time to get to know them. The two of them mistaken that connection for attraction. Luckily for them, they both realized quickly that it was a deep friendship that was growing and not romantic love. They grew close as friends. Then four years ago their bond was forge in steal, never to be broken. He would forever be her protector and best friend, both she was eternally grateful for. At 5pm Raegan gathered in the medical lobby with Dr. Jacob Barress, the team orthopedic, Dr. Lynn Jeffries, the team Psychiatrist, Pete LeBlanc and the head of security, Luke Davidson. They were all waiting for the four new late season trades to arrive. They were chitchatting when Luke Davidson got a call on his radio. Gate security was notifying him that the trades had arrived and were parking. Luke turned to Pete, “Let’s get the show going. We will meet them at the door to go over security protocols. And per usual Mr. LeBlanc will walk them one by one to the next office, once their credentials have been issued.” They had the drill down but Luke was a stickler for the details. That is what made him the perfect fit for security. The new trades would be given the security run down and credentials. Pete would walk them to Dr. Barress for a physical. During this walk he would give them his captains spill. Let them know the written and unwritten rules of the club and expectations of players. Once their physical exam was done they would be escorted to Dr. Jeffries office to discuss the mental aspects of the game and life as a pro. She would show them all the mental health care options available to them. The Thunder were cutting edge when it came to caring for not just the physical aspects of the game but the mental toll it took. After they finished with Dr. Jeffries , LeBlanc would walk them to Raegan’s office. Here she would go over the team training schedule, nutritional requirements and Physical therapy and private training options. From her office Luke and Pete would show them the locker room and help them get set up in there. While it was all tedious work they should be able to wrap it up by 7pm and get home a little early. It was a non-game day and the organization liked for employees to get out early on those days. The owner, Mr. Nikita Kwatski was big on his employees, including players, having a life outside the stadium. Hockey had a grueling schedule so when ever possible he liked his players to have extra family time. On home game nights staff may have to be in the building way past midnight. Then they could in up spending weeks away from home. So tonight was their shot to get home and have some down time before tomorrows travel day and a long road trip up north. Just then Pete LeBlanc walked out of the security office with Gary Steinman. They made their way to the group. “Here we are with the first of our three new guys,” said Pete. Raegan gave him a quizzical look. Pete just shook his head, “Nick Bell hasn’t showed yet” he said as Dr. Barress left with the new player. “I sent Coach a message but haven’t heard back”. Dr. Jeffries left to go wait in her office. Pete turned toward Raegan and said real low, “Gary won’t be a problem. He is married and madly in love with his wife. He said she was excited to leave the cold of Colorado for the warmth of Florida in February. He even had it written in his contract that she can travel and stay with him during away trips.” Raegan shook her head in understanding, one down three to go. “I’m going to go wait in my office. Hopefully Nick Bell will show up soon so we don’t have to wait all night,” said Raegan. Pete looked at his phone “Coach says the contracts were signed at 3:30 today and Bell knew when to report. Coach is going to contact his agent to get an ETA.” Pete shook his head, “This guy is what we need on the ice but I’m not sure he is what we need off it. He has a reputation that makes me nervous.” Raegan agreed before heading into her office to finish some paperwork before her turn in the intake process began. It was a little past 7pm and the three new players were leaving the building. The process had been smooth and no surprises were found. Raegan felt that all of them would add to the team and were dedicated to seeing them end with another cup. Nick Bell was still a no show. The five involved with intake all agreed to give him another 15 minutes before calling it a night. As everyone started heading toward their offices. Raegan said to Pete, “Do you think he will show tonight?” “I really don’t know,” he said as he checked his watch. “Did you have plans for tonight?” “Nothing I can’t reschedule.” He had a date. He didn’t want to tell Raegan that. She would be thrilled for him. She was always telling him he needed to find someone. She didn’t realize he had found someone, her. The problem was he was fully locked into the friend/ protector zone or even worse, big brother zone. He knew she would never see him in a romantic way and had come to terms with that years ago. But it didn’t mean his heart was ready to move on. He wasn’t excited about this date and had only agreed because it was a friend’s cousin in town for a short time. No strings that is all he could handle because all his strings were tied to Raegan Moore. “You should go. Don’t let this keep you here and from your plans. Pete, you know you are not technically required to be apart of this process.”She told him as they took a seat in her office. “Bell may never show. Reports are he wasn’t happy about the trade so he may be trying to make a point.” Pete shook his head. “I always take part of this process, even before… I really feel like Nick Bell was the one trade that needed my talk the most.” “Look it is 10 after 7….at least go to the locker room and pack up your stuff so that if he shows you can jet as soon as you have had a chat.ok? Please for me? Don’t ruin your night because you want to protect me. I’m good to go. I’m going to work for about another hour finalizing some PT for players not going on the road with us. Then I’m out of here myself.” “Hot date?” Why had he asked? He didn’t want to know. It pained him the few times Raegan had confided in him she had gone out on a dates. Raegan, rolling her eyes, “ Yup, with my sofa and hallmark movie. Setting the single life on fire these days.” She laughed. Pete was silently relieved. He knew the day would come that someone would break through and warm the Ice Queens heart. He was not looking forward to that day. There was a small part, actually if he was honest a large part, of him that held out hope it would be him that could break her shell. At 7:36pm, Raegan’s office phone rang. “Hello.” “Ms. Moore, this is Luke Davidson. The guard gate just let me know the Nick Bell has finally arrived. Dr. Barress and Dr. Jeffries have said they are both still available to process his intake. I was calling to see if you were able to stay as well.” “Um, yes. I can stay. Do you know if Mr. LeBlanc has left for the evening yet?” “Not that I am aware of. He was my next call.” Just then Pete came into Raegan’s office. “No need. Mr. LeBlanc just walked into my office. I will bring him up to speed. Thank you, Mr. Davidson.” Raegan hung up the phone with a loud sigh. “Mr. Bell has finally decided to grace us with his presence.” Pete grunts and looks at his watch “Again, you don’t have to stay. Go. I will be fine.” “No, I’m staying. This one needs a captain’s touch.I’ll just make a quick call as I head to Luke’s office. Can I leave my gear here? I’ll get it when I bring Bell into you.” Raegan shook her head. “Sure, that’s no problem. I’m going to put the finishing touches on this plan then I will be in the lobby waiting with the doctors.” When Raegan looked up from the PT plan she realized more than a few minutes had passed since Pete left. She had to get to the lobby to size up Nick Bell before she met with him. So much can be learned on a first impression. As she neared the lobby, she heard boisterous laughter. She paused to take in the scene before entering the area. Nick Bell was a large presence. His 6’6” 240lb frame filled the space. Raegan sucked in a breath. The pictures she had seen of him did not do him justice. He was a Greek god. Dark hair, slight beard stubble and shoulders that she was sure did not fit into normal sized door frames. A booming voice and laughter filled the lobby as he was telling the group his events of the afternoon. As Raegan drew closer to the group she over heard words like flat tire, ants, swarm, feeling of being on fire. So it seemed that Nick Bell had met Florida’s welcoming committee this afternoon. She had to feel a little sorry for the man. The tiniest of insects have been known to bring a giant to their knees. And clearly a Greek god had met his match, a small smile came to her face. It was in that moment that the Greek god turned his gaze onto her. As her green eye met his ice blue ones, she froze or better yet is she began to thaw…..