Chapter 1
Emery Callahan
I grew up in this arena.
Dad retired when I was six, but that didn’t mean we stopped coming here.
If anything, I probably spent more time here after he retired.
Dad started Beyond the Blades with Uncle Cole, and Blades Arena stayed my second home.
I knew every hallway.
Every back entrance.
Every person who had worked here longer than I had been alive.
And now—
I worked here too.
I couldn’t help but smile as I looked down at the badge sitting on my desk.
Emery Callahan, Director of Media Relations, Aurora Blades
I’d taken the job at the end of last season.
And yeah.
Aunt Carson was technically my boss.
Aunt Len owned the damn team.
My dad was now the head coach.
My brother was the captain.
Completely normal workplace situation.
I snorted.
But I hadn’t gotten this job because my last name was Callahan.
I’d gotten it because I was fucking good at what I did.
I knew hockey.
I knew media.
And most importantly—
I knew how to handle hockey players.
At least, I thought I did.
A knock sounded against my open door.
I looked up.
And immediately regretted that last thought.
Zane Mercer leaned against my doorframe.
Blades training shirt.
Black shorts.
Hair still damp from practice.
That stupid fucking grin already on his face.
“Morning, Callahan.”
“No.”
His grin widened.
“I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“You were going to.”
“Maybe I just came by to say good morning.”
“You’ve never come by just to say good morning.”
He pushed away from the doorframe and walked into my office.
I pointed toward the hallway.
“Out.”
“Damn.”
“Mercer.”
“I like when you say my name like that.”
I stared at him.
He grinned.
God.
This fucking man.
“What do you want?”
He dropped into the chair across from my desk like he’d been invited.
He hadn’t.
“I have a question.”
“No.”
“You don’t even know the question.”
“I know you.”
His brow lifted.
“You know me, huh?”
I narrowed my eyes.
“Unfortunately.”
He leaned back in the chair.
And his eyes—
Fucking hell.
They dragged over me for just a second.
Long enough for me to notice.
Long enough for him to know I’d noticed.
Then they came back to mine.
“Media meeting today?”
“Two.”
“You’re running it?”
“I am the Director of Media Relations.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you asking?”
He shrugged.
“Wanted to know how much Callahan attitude I needed to prepare myself for.”
I smiled sweetly.
“All of it.”
His grin turned slow.
Dangerous.
“Looking forward to it.”
“Get out of my office, Zane.”
He stood.
But instead of leaving, he leaned forward and planted both hands on my desk.
Too close.
Way too fucking close.
“See you at two, Emery.”
My stomach did something incredibly fucking stupid.
I ignored it.
“Can’t wait.”
He winked.
Then finally walked out.
I watched him disappear down the hallway.
Asshole.
Absolute asshole.
“You know you were staring at him, right?”
I jumped.
Knight stood outside my office, arms crossed.
Fuck.
“I was making sure he left.”
“With your eyes on his ass?”
My mouth dropped open.
“Go away.”
Knight laughed.
Then he looked down the hallway Zane had disappeared through.
His smile faded slightly.
“He’s messing with you.”
“I’m aware.”
“No. I mean he’s messing with you.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Thank you, Captain Obvious.”
“I’m serious, Em.”
“And I’m at work.”
“So am I.”
“Then go do your job.”
Knight stared at me for another second.
I stared right back.
Finally, he pointed at me.
“I’m watching him.”
I groaned.
“Jesus Christ.”
“I’m just saying.”
“Go away, Knight.”
He started down the hallway.
Then turned around.
“And stop staring at Mercer’s ass.”
“I WASN’T!”
His laugh echoed down the hall.
I sank back into my chair.
Damn brothers.
Damn hockey players.
And especially—
Fucking Zane Mercer.
I sighed.
Aunt Carson appeared in the doorway.
“Hey, honey.”
“Hey,” I said with a smile.
“Mercer still being a pain in the ass?”
I groaned.
“Why does he mess with me like that?”
She gave me a pointed look.
“Honey.”
“What?” I groaned.
“I think Mercer likes you, babydoll.”
I glared at her.
“NO.”
She laughed and came into my office, setting a folder down on my desk.
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Emery.”
“Aunt Carson.”
She laughed again.
“I’ve worked around hockey players for a very long time.”
“So have I.”
“Yes, but you grew up with them. There’s a difference.”
I frowned.
“What difference?”
“You think they’re all idiots.”
“They are all idiots.”
She pointed at me.
“Exactly.”
I rolled my eyes and reached for the folder.
“Zane doesn’t like me.”
“Okay.”
“He likes annoying me.”
“Sure.”
“He does.”
“Mmhmm.”
I narrowed my eyes.
“Stop doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“That mom thing.”
She laughed.
“I’m not doing a mom thing.”
“You’re doing the exact same thing Mom does when she knows something I don’t.”
“Maybe your mother and I are just smarter than you.”
“Rude.”
She grinned.
Then nodded toward the hallway.
“All I’m saying is I’ve seen Mercer around plenty of people.”
“And?”
“He doesn’t act like that with anyone else.”
I opened my mouth.
Closed it.
Nope.
Absolutely not.
“He’s scared of Dad.”
Aunt Carson blinked.
“What?”
“He’s screwing with me because Dad’s the coach and Knight’s the captain. It’s like some weird death wish.”
She stared at me for a second.
Then burst out laughing.
“What?”
“Oh, Emery.”
“Stop saying my name like that!”
She shook her head.
“You really don’t see it.”
“There’s nothing to see.”
“Okay, babydoll.”
“There isn’t.”
“Okay.”
I pointed the folder at her.
“I hate when you agree with me like that.”
“I know.”
I dropped my eyes to the folder.
“What is this?”
“Your two o’clock meeting.”
Right.
Work.
Something I actually understood.
I opened it.
“Media requirements?”
“Yep. Preseason interviews, social content, player availability, all of it. I want you running the meeting.”
I looked up.
“Me?”
She raised a brow.
“You’re the Director of Media Relations, aren’t you?”
I smiled.
“Yeah.”
“Then run it.”
I nodded and flipped through the pages.
Then stopped.
Of fucking course.
“Zane’s on this list.”
Aunt Carson’s mouth twitched.
“Most of the team is on that list.”
“But he’s on it.”
“He does play for the Aurora Blades.”
“Unfortunately.”
She laughed as she headed for the door.
“Two o’clock, babydoll.”
“Yep.”
She stopped in the doorway.
“And Emery?”
I looked up.
“What?”
“If Mercer spends the entire meeting staring at you, I’m not explaining it again.”
My mouth dropped open.
“Aunt Carson!”
She disappeared into the hallway laughing.
I stared after her.
Then down at the folder.
Then toward my open door.
No.
Zane Mercer did not like me.
He liked annoying me.
There was a difference.
A huge fucking difference.
At least—
There better be.
Two o’clock rolled around.
Meeting time.
I sighed.
This was not going to be fun.
I started setting up the PowerPoint I’d put together for preseason media expectations.
Aunt Carson was off in the corner talking to Dad and Elena.
My brother walked in and plopped down in a seat.
“Why are you here?”
Knight looked offended.
“I’m the captain.”
“I know.”
“Then why did you ask?”
“Because I like bothering you.”
He grinned.
“Runs in the family.”
“Apparently.”
Nash walked in next.
He gave me a nod before taking a seat.
His eyes immediately went toward Elena.
Interesting.
She looked over at him.
And glowered.
Nash, on the other hand?
Smirked.
I glanced between them.
What was that?
Elena turned back toward Dad like Nash didn’t exist.
Nash leaned back in his chair, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
Okay.
Whatever the hell was happening there wasn’t my problem.
Yet.
Cade came through the door next.
He dropped into the chair beside Knight.
“Do I have to be here?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because apparently none of you can be trusted to speak to reporters without supervision.”
Knight nodded.
“That’s fair.”
Cade looked at him.
“Whose side are you on?”
“My sister’s.”
I grinned.
“Favorite sibling.”
“You’re my only sibling.”
“Still counts.”
More players started filtering into the room.
I checked the time.
1:58.
Of course.
I already knew who was missing.
Dad glanced around the room.
“Where’s Mercer?”
“Being an asshole somewhere, probably.”
Knight snorted.
Aunt Carson covered a laugh.
Dad looked at me.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
I narrowed my eyes.
Why did everyone suddenly look like they knew something I didn’t?
Then—
“Miss me?”
My eyes closed.
There he was.
Zane walked through the door at exactly two o’clock.
Not late.
Because apparently that would make it harder for me to yell at him.
He grinned at Dad.
“Coach.”
Dad nodded.
“Mercer.”
Zane looked at Knight.
“Cap.”
Knight gave him a look.
Then his eyes landed on me.
His grin changed.
Just slightly.
“Callahan.”
I folded my arms.
“Sit down.”
His eyebrows lifted.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Cade coughed into his fist.
It sounded suspiciously like a laugh.
I pointed toward an empty chair.
“Now.”
Zane looked around.
There were plenty of seats.
Naturally—
He chose the one directly in front of me.
Asshole.
I picked up the remote.
“Okay. Since everyone’s finally here, we’re going over media expectations for preseason and the beginning of the regular season.”
I clicked to the first slide.
“First and most importantly, reporters do not get unrestricted access to any of you. Interview requests come through me or Carson Petrov.”
“Director Callahan,” Zane said.
I stopped.
Slowly looked at him.
“What?”
He leaned back in his chair.
“You said requests come through you. Figured we should use your official title.”
A few guys laughed.
“Emery is fine.”
“Seems unprofessional.”
My eyes narrowed.
He grinned.
Knight muttered, “Dude.”
“What?” Zane asked innocently.
I ignored him.
“Moving on.”
I clicked to the next slide.
“Because Dad taking over as head coach has created a lot of media attention, you’re going to get questions about the coaching change.”
Dad leaned against the wall beside Aunt Carson.
