Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

T his Is a Bad Idea

Charlotte

I get on the bus with my overnight bag and equipment. The guys are mostly seated. They are all smiling and saying hello to me. It’s not like I’ve never been on a bus like this before. I get on these busses to go to my own meets, but this feels different. I have a team of hockey players watching me, and I am one of three women. One is Coach Bailey, who the guys know not to mess with, and the other is the team’s full-time, social media coordinator, Alice.

Alice is sitting at the front of the bus and when she says, “I saved you a seat,” I feel a sense of relief.

“Thanks,” I exhale. I had placed my overnight bag and equipment under the bus so I just have my purse, which I hold on my lap.

“Sure thing,” Alice says. “Have you thought of any ideas for the game?”

“I was thinking, when we arrive, I can set up a camera and ask the guys if they have any rituals a night before a game,” I reply.

Alice raises her brows. “Not sure that’s a good one to promote. They are mostly hooking up in their bedrooms or going out for a bite to eat.”

“Ah, you’re probably right. I should’ve thought of that,” I say, feeling na?ve.

“You can do that in the morning at breakfast though. The team has a lot of rituals they follow before the game,” she shares.

“Thanks, I’ll set it up then. I can also get some shots in of warm-up.”

“That all sounds good, Charlie, but why don’t you think of something that hasn’t been done,” she suggests and my stomach sinks. Alice has been a great guide these last few weeks. She is helpful and it seems like she wants me to succeed, it’s me who is doubting herself because of my lack of hockey knowledge. Even with all the nighttime learning I have been doing with watching games and learning the rules, it doesn’t feel like I have a good grasp of the sport yet.

“How about some one-on-one interviews?” I ask.

“That could work, especially with the freshmen. No one really knows who they are and fans always eat up the behind-the-scenes posts,” she says.

“Noted.” I nod. “I don’t know if this is a crazy suggestion, but I was reading a lot about augmented reality. Some soccer teams in Europe have been using it and it’s really great for fan interaction and would be great for promoting the Riverside U brand,” I begin. My heart is beating a little fast because I feel like I am still new at my position, and I am proposing a major change to how the team views marketing. “I’ve spoken with my teammate from the track team, who is also a junior in software engineering, and she said she would be happy to help the team out.”

“You’ve got my attention now.” Alice beams as I continue to explain the role of AR.

“There are so many ways we could use AR, there are apps we can create that have the players on them with 3D visuals. People can do all kinds of crazy add-ons and have a virtual interaction,” I say with a little too much excitement as Alice’s eyes turn wide. “Have I gone overboard? We can do something simpler, like come up with fan hashtags,” I recommend.

“No, you have crazy good ideas. I’m definitely open to this AR stuff. Let’s set up a meeting with your teammate when we get back to campus for next week. For now, though, let’s focus on behind the scenes and live game coverage,” she urges.

“Got it,” I confirm.

Alice yawns and leans back on the headrest. “Get some rest, Charlie. Things tend to get busy once we arrive.”

The guys are playing Ohio University tomorrow and we have a good four-hour bus ride ahead of us.

I lean my head back on the headrest and close my eyes, but my mind is filled with too many thoughts. Like how exactly Finn thinks we are going to have a chance to hook up with all these people around. Plus, there is the fact he is sharing a room with a teammate. I text with Ruby for a bit, but it’s a Friday night and she’s going to a bar with Annie and Briar.

I told her about my and Finn’s plan to have sex and get each other out of our systems. Ruby felt like it was a weird plan. The way she sees it, we hooked up once we don’t need to have a second round. She doesn’t understand I am still craving Finn like a drug. That I wanted to kiss him so bad at the party weeks ago. If Aaron hadn’t interrupted our little interlude, we may have ended up in Finn’s bedroom. Though I consider myself lucky that Aaron interrupted because having sex at the hockey house would be seriously risky and hard to hide. The guys have had girls stay over and the walls are thin. Cade’s girlfriend, Scarlett, is especially vocal, although maybe Cade is just that good in bed.

I finally doze off. I don’t fall into a deep sleep since I am very aware of my surroundings, and the fact that this bus is filled with a bunch of horny jocks. By the time we reach Ohio, I am ready to crawl into a bed. I’m just happy I get to have my own room.

When we arrive at the hotel, the guys are tired too. They all grab their bags. Cade offers to help with mine. He really is a super sweet guy. I hate that Scarlett doesn’t treat him well.

The coaches go to check in. Finn eyes me but we don’t say a word to each other. Even though I spend some time chatting with Macklin and Aaron in the lobby until the key cards are distributed.

The guys are all on the third floor, and I am on the second floor with Alice three doors down. Cade offers to help me take my bag to my room, which is more of a duffel on two wheels, but I assure him I can handle it on my own.

“Okay,” Coach Jacob says and the team gathers around him. “You have half an hour to settle into your rooms. A light meal will be served in the restaurant over there.” He points. “I expect everyone in attendance so we can go over game strategy while you’re eating. This is the first official game of the season. I want to start it with a bang.”

The guys all nod and cheer. Then we all break apart to our rooms.

I end up in an elevator with Tyler, Seth, Finn, Cade, and Aaron. The elevator car feels too full with all these guys. Seth and Tyler are whispering to each other, and Finn eyes me like he has fire in his eyes. Something about his gaze makes my body feel hot.

I settle in my room and take a shower, all the while thinking what it will be like to have sex with Finn. After my shower, I slip into a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt since the night air felt pretty cool when we got off the bus. I brush out my hair and leave it to air dry. I only have a few minutes to be downstairs, so I slip on a pair of slides and grab my phone and tripod, just in case there will be an opportunity to film something. I’m guessing the fans would eat up the idea of knowing what the guys do back in their hotels.

I head downstairs and am met with Hutch, one of the goalies, and Brody, one of the forwards. I give myself an internal pat on the back for remembering their positions. At least I hope I have them right.

“Hi, Charlie,” Hutch says.

Brody nods.

“Hey, guys,” I reply. “So what happens tonight after dinner?”

Hutch looks to Brody instead of me, and Brody just shrugs. Then Hutch pinches his lips.

“Is it that complicated?” I ask.

“Was that question off-the-record?” Hutch asks.

“It can be if you want it to,” I say.

“The guys need to have an early night so they’ll be well-rested, but some of us have girlfriends who come to town, and some of us have fans here in Ohio who sneak into our rooms,” he explains and the guys’ cheeks are tinged pink.

“But you aren’t going to tell the coaches, right?” Brody clarifies.

“Absolutely not,” I confirm. “But don’t you guys share rooms?” I ask because Finn was probably right, and I am prudish on some level.

“Not everyone hooks up. Some guys just go to sleep. Cap goes to sleep. He always does because he sets an example,” Hutch mutters. I like this new info about Finn.

“Bro, you don’t need to be sharing that many details with her,” Brody chides him.

The elevator arrives in the lobby.

“Really, you don’t need to worry, I would never leak any information. Everything I do is with your permission and knowledge,” I assure the guys.

“Cool.” Hutch nods and motions for me to leave the elevator first.

I get off the elevator but I have no clue where I am going, so I follow the guys to the restaurant, where some of the guys are already seated at a table.

It was interesting to hear that Finn doesn’t hook up on the road because he is definitely not a saint.

Finn is one of the guys sitting around the table, and I feel the need to avoid him because of our little plan. I don’t know if he wants to hook up tonight or tomorrow after the game, but I can’t look him in the eyes and not feel flushed, knowing what we plan to do. Knowing how good he makes me feel.

I go to take a seat at the opposite end of the table, but Cade calls me over. “Come on, Charlie, we’re housemates. Don’t act like you don’t know us,” he teases.

I laugh. “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to be anti-social, just professional.”

“Professional is good,” Aaron confirms. “Tyler here got our last social media coordinator fired when Coach Bailey found them hooking up in the towel closet back in the sports complex.”

His words feel like a freezing cold bucket of ice water. Finn’s gaze snaps to mine. My heart skips a beat. Holy shit, us hooking up is seriously messed up and Finn knows about Tyler and this girl, which means he knows how risky our plan is.

“Don’t worry, I’m not into jocks,” I assure Aaron.

“Damn.” Aaron frowns. “You’re hot, I was hoping I’d have a shot.”

“Aaron, you’re a great guy, but I think we’re better off as friends,” I state and the guys break into a fit of laughter. Some of them mutter the word burn or ouch . I look around at them. “Sorry, Aaron, I really do like you as a person,” I tell him and it’s true. After living with these guys for a few weeks, they have grown on me. I may have been staying away from the house most evenings because of Finn, but I still work with them and get rides with them to the arena every morning.

“You’re cool too,” Aaron replies. “No worries.”

Coach Jacob walks by and eyes our table, then he sits at a table with Alice and Coach Bailey.

“I think those two are already banging,” Seth whispers.

“Who? Coach Bailey and Alice?” Tyler asks.

“No, you fool,” Seth replies, shaking his head. “Coach Heaton and Coach Bailey.”

I notice Finn staying quiet while they talk about his brother.

“Coach Heaton is cold as ice. No way he is getting laid at all,” Macklin whispers.

“I second that,” Cade agrees.

“You guys don’t know what you’re talking about. Look how awkward they are around each other,” Hutch points out.

“That’s so observant of you, bro.” Brody laughs.

“I’m not wrong,” Hutch says.

I have to agree with him, there is a weird kind of tension between Coach Bailey and Coach Heaton.

Finn’s eyes lock with mine. I swallow hard and look away. Coach Bailey gives them a pre-meal spiel and then the guys walk over to the buffet and load up their plates.

I walk over to the buffet. I have Coach Heaton in front of me.

“How are your accommodations?” he asks.

“They are great, thank you,” I say politely because he is an intimidating character.

“Good,” he returns curtly. “I know this goes without saying, but I am going to say it anyway, because I see these guys watching you, and I am aware of your residence in the hockey house.” My stomach dips at those words. I hope he doesn’t want me moving out because I kind of have been enjoying having a little extra money this semester with the refund I was given for Campbell Hall. “I hope you read the contracts and are aware of the non-fraternization policies.” He waits and watches me. Oh, that was a question.

“Yes, sir,” I reply. “No worries here.” I chuckle awkwardly, hoping my cheeks aren’t flushing too much.

“Good.” He nods, his demeanor stiff and serious. “Enjoy your meal.”

“You too.” I swallow, my tone a little too high.

I load some pasta salad on my plate and head back to the table to eat, since I am not in the mood for a sandwich this time of night. I keep my head ducked as I eat, and I don’t engage the guys in conversation. Now I’m self-conscious about the coaches watching me because, technically, they are my bosses.

I leave the meal early and tell the guys to have a good night, and then I head up in the elevator on my own back to my room.

When the elevator door closes, my phone pings.

Unknown caller: Don’t let Jacob scare you away.

Me: Who is this?

Unknown Caller: How many guys have you hooked up with on this team?

I think it’s Finn but I am not sure, and my hackles rise.

Me: Identify yourself or I’m not answering your next message.

Unknown Caller: I would think you’d have me on your contacts as I remember you texting me not to come meet you after your social media class.

So it is Finn.

Me: I erased that message from my phone. I didn’t want to leave behind any incriminating evidence. That’s why I didn’t add your contact to my phone.

Unknown caller: You should add my contact.

Me: No

Unknown caller: Why are you so stubborn?

Me: I was born stubborn.

At least that’s what my father says.

Unknown Caller: You’re a pain in the ass.

Me: So I guess our little arrangement is off.

Unknown caller: Don’t get a head of yourself, Charlie. I just wanted to text you to say that tomorrow night will be safer since the guys will go out after the game. My brother will go out too, so I can meet you in your room.

I stare at the words on my screen as the elevator lands on my floor.

I should tell Finn this is a bad idea and call the whole thing off. But that isn’t what I do.

Me: Tomorrow sounds good.

Unknown caller: Smart girl.

I stare at my phone in disbelief. It’s like he knew I wouldn’t reject him.