Breaking ice

Chloe

My hands tremble a little as I do the buttons of my shirt up, leaving the top two undone, not wanting to feel trapped. First day of a new job, the first job that I got all by myself. I’ve decided to use my mum’s maiden name so my surname isn’t a clear indication of who I am. I am worried a little about them finding out and firing me on the spot. Some might consider it a conflict of interest, taking into consideration who my father is.

Getting into the car, I put the address into Google Maps of the rink, I am still not familiar with Miami, moving across the country only a mere four days ago. Did I pack up my whole life to move to sunny Miami to start my new marketing role with the biggest rivals of my previous employment, where my father is indeed the coach? Fuck, this might have been a dumb idea, but what’s done is done and finally, no one will look down on me for being the daughter of the coach and the only reason I probably got the job in the first place.

Now that I have three years of experience in the field, I managed to get one without the influence. I finally did something by myself. No one can tell me that it's not my credit to take. Obviously, my new boss knew where I had moved from but thanks to always staying out of the press and the mum's maiden name, hopefully, they won't find out how close I was to the inner circle. I know most probably won't care, but I'm not taking that chance.

No matter how good I was at my job back with the LA Falcons, no one let me take any credit for my work, saying I didn’t need the promotions or the money because I have my dearest father. I tried to fight against it but the seniors did not believe me calling me a liar. Choosing to believe the older staff than a spoiled little graduate.

Miami Vipers are a new and upcoming team that has been slowly progressing up the rankings and now they just need more publicity to draw in more sponsors, more media, and more attention. This is exactly what I was hired to do. I intend to do it well. I just want to prove to myself that I am worth it.

As the stadium comes into view, I start giving myself the pep talk. Repeating over and over again that I am worth the job and the team. I put the car into park sooner than my heart which is beating way too hard probably wanted but there is no point in delaying my entrance. Besides being late on the first day of work would not boost my chances of keeping the job.

I look at myself in the mirror, my green eyes full of worry stare back at me. Fixing my blonde bun that was nicely slicked back an hour ago but now it feels like it's a tangled mess. Putting the last touches of the lip gloss I take my bag from the passenger's seat and get out.

The walk to the rink is short but every step feels heavy, I just need to go through today and not get fired and I’m sure I will be safe to keep the job. As I walk inside I spot a girl behind the front desk typing furiously on the computer.

“Hello, excuse me. Would you be able to help me out?” the girl looked up and instantly smiled jumping out of the chair.

“You must be Chloe King? I’m Katherine, but everyone calls me Kate so you should too. We are so happy to welcome you to the team. Don’t tell the others but I’m so happy to see another younger girl as I need a work best friend. Besides me, there is too much testosterone from the players and the rest can be my parents. Or wow I am rambling, right? Sorry for that I’m just super excited.” I tried to wrap around what just came out of her mouth but with the speed she was talking I barely managed to understand and digest the information. At least she’s excited to see me?

“Hi Kate, it's super nice to meet you. Would you be able to show me to the manager's office?” I smiled in hopes that I come out as friendly as well but if she’s a talkative ray of sunshine from what I just witnessed, I’m more of a rain cloud. I don't want to dull her brightness so I try my best to match the enthusiasm.

“Of course follow me, we are usually on the second floor, overlooking the rink which is super nice when the boys play, well if you are into men of course or at least like the game. I was just down here waiting for you, this is actually an information desk and as good as I am I speak too much to be at the information desk. Apparently, I give one too many unimportant details that I just confuse people rather than helping them.” she spoke once again at the speed of light but her rambling was actually quite nice. I think I can get behind oversharing if that is what will keep me on her good side.

“I love both the game and men so I’m sure I’ll enjoy the view.” I gave her a bit of info hoping that is enough for now. I’m not the best at opening up, I never really had friends and those who wanted to get close to me usually wanted something from me. Be it tickets, autographs, fame. It was always superficial and I knew sharing too much with those people would not end well. Information is power that can be easily exploited. But letting her know my sexual preference doesn’t seem like it could hurt. At least I hope it won’t.

“That’s great, we can ogle them together! Respectively of course. During the home games, there is usually not much we need to do so we can watch the guys play as well! We get the best seats in the arena which is such a nice bonus to have. Anyway, here we are, your desk will be near mine which I will show you after your meeting. George is a very nice man so you have nothing to worry about! Good luck and welcome to the team.” she waved as she practically skipped away from me. What kind of drugs does she take and can I have some? I could do with some energy and openness.

I knock and I hear the subtle noise from the other side which I take as my sigh to walk in. George, the director and the manager of the Vipers gets up from the chair and proceeds to shake my hand. His calloused hands indicate his past life of playing in the NHL himself before he retired. If I'm not mistaken he has once even played on the same team as my father, but back then I didn't really care about any other player but my dad. Back when I was his daddy's little girl. Sometimes I miss those simple days. His smile is warm making me relax a little. Maybe this job will truly be different and I get to enjoy it rather than survive it.

“Hello Chloe, it's nice to finally meet you in person. I’m sure you met Katherine already as she was looking a lot for your start day. Please sit down so I can tell you a little bit more.” He says pointing to a chair next to me. I give him a small nod and sit down, feeling less nervous but the slight shake in my hands remains.

The next half hour is spent mostly listening to George talk about the Vipers and my responsibilities and how they work here. The work hours are quite amazing, with the ability to work from home when the team is on the away games. Which during the season happens quite a lot. As Kate said we get tickets for the home games which is definitely a perk I didn’t get back in LA.

As I walk out of the office Kate spawns out of nowhere startling me, her ginger curls bouncing everywhere.

“Let me show you your desk and then it's the best part of the day. You get to meet the guys, we always introduce our employees to the team especially since you will be working quite closely with them. Girl you are lucky that it's your job to make them more famous and popular. I’m a little jealous but it's okay. You better tell me all the gossip you overhear.” Can she say less than a whole paragraph when she speaks? She seems to go on for a world record for the number of words said in one go every time she speaks which I have an inkling is something I’ll just have to get used to.

After she showed me the desk which is in very close proximity to hers I wasn’t sure if I should be happy or regret the decision of being friendly with her. Kate is sweet but I’m not used to having friends, I have no idea how to behave and how to act. I don’t want to do something wrong and her setting up the whole office against me.

I tried my best to keep up with her conversation but it wasn’t too hard since she spoke so much I didn’t really need to say much. She knocked on the team's changing rooms before loudly announcing her presence.

“Boys, your new marketing and PR representative has arrived. Well, you never had one before but be nice to her or you’ll have to deal with me. We both know you don’t want me to ask George to set up a two-hour meeting with me.” All the guys groaned but kept it light-hearted.

“Trust me those boys don’t have time to listen to me chit chat for two hours so they will be nice.” She half-whispered but made sure the boys heard how serious her threat was. Honestly, I think even I would be afraid of that. I cleared my throat before introducing myself trying to keep my voice even.

“Hey everyone, I’m Chloe King and I’m here to help you with publicity among other things. I will be dealing with your PR schedules so if you can please answer an email that I will shortly send out with preference and times when you are unable to be present. I’ll try to make your life as easy as possible but please don’t be assholes towards me as after all I am in control of your schedules and I can definitely put in a meeting with Kate so you can try and remember that even though you guys are amazing players you aren’t gods.” I finished my little speech and looked around the room where all of the guys were smiling at me whilst also looking a little wary of Kate. God, how much did this girl traumatise them?

The guys all came by introducing themselves one by one, all of them trying to check me out without actually ogling me until the last guy stopped in front of me and my breath hitched. He was huge. At least six foot six inches tall and whilst the rest of the players were relatively tall, he looked to tower over most of them. I had to look up to see his short dark brown hair that had been left untamed and striking blue eyes, the stark difference between his hair. I knew exactly who he was but he went to introduce himself, unfamiliar with that knowledge.

“Alexander Starkov.” he offered his hand and it was ridiculous how small my hand looked in his. I was not very tall being five foot five nor am I considered short but I felt like a child looking up at him. His voice was thick with a slight Russian accent laced with his American.

“Chloe.” I couldn’t really come up with what else to say. I was both starstruck and horny knowing exactly who this player was. Undoubtedly one of the best goalies in the world, he played for Russia's national team a few years back bringing them the win in the Olympics. He had by far the best stats and I had no idea he played for Vipers. Well, we really need to do some work on exposure. Him being 28 now, he was my childhood crush as he was in the NHL for the past ten years. I had his posters in my childhood bedroom, but who could have blamed a fourteen-year-old, hockey-obsessed and very much hormonal teen?

“Yeah, we have established this, kotik.” the last word that was undoubtedly spoken in Russian rolled off of his tongue like butter. I shook my head remembering why I am here. I ain’t about to screw up my job because of my childhood crush. Proving myself was my goal and my pussy won’t think for me.

Looking down I realised that my hand was still engulfed by his and I quickly pulled it away and said my goodbye getting the heck out of the changing rooms as quick as I could.