“Hey!” I say loudly enough so he hears me and isn’t surprised.
He circles around and shoots me his classic smirk, masking any of what I overheard. “Hey, lady boss.”
His hands slide into the pockets of his slacks. I’ve seen him in a suit before, and as always, it makes my mouth water. I have a lot of appreciation for the way his broad shoulders and narrow waist fill it out. He looks so sophisticated and handsome right now, versus how rugged and sexy he looks after a game. I won’t even let my mind go to how he looks after we’ve had sex.
“Don’t call me that.”
“Why?”
I approach him and take both ends of the tie. “Because…”
He watches me begin to knot his tie. “I can do it.”
“I know you can,” I say, even though in this moment, I think he might need a little help. “It’s a big day for you.”
His hands land on mine to stop me, and when I look up, I’m lost for a moment in his dark eyes. “I’m ready. I don’t need anyone to pity me.”
I smile because sometimes we’re so similar it’s scary. “Why would I feel pity for a man who was blessed to spend over fifteen years in a career playing the game he loves? And then when it comes to an end, he gets offered a coaching job. And not just any coaching job—head coach for the team every analyst is betting will make it to the Cup finals. So, Kane Burrows, don’t go thinking you’ll get any sympathy from me.”
One side of his lips tips up and we lock eyes. I’m as transparent as Saran wrap to him, and for some reason, in this moment, it doesn’t scare me like it usually does. He knows my feelings underlying the pep talk.
“Now your choice of ties… that deserves some pity.” I knot his tie with a pattern I wouldn’t have ever picked out. “If you need a personal shopper, just call me. You’re going to have to up your game in the suit department now that you’ll be wearing one behind the bench.”
“You’d probably make me wear pink or pastel.”
I shrug. “Probably, but I’d get you labeled as the best-dressed coach in the league.” I push up the knot on the tie, straighten out his collar, and smooth my hand down the silk fabric, feeling his stomach muscles tense under my touch.
He opens his mouth—I’m sure to tell me that he’d never wear anything I picked out—but the pressroom door opens, and my dad’s voice booms through the hallway, making me step back and drop my hands from Kane.
“You ready, Burrows?” Dad’s dress shoes click as he makes his way over to us.
“Yes, sir,” Kane mumbles, putting a finger between his collar and his neck and tugging.
“Good. They’re calling in the press now.” He turns to me. “Jana, you ready to give his intro?”
My head rears back. “Sorry?”
“You’re the owner of this team now. You need to start the press conference.”
I thought I was going to be a bystander, watching from the side.
“You’ll sit next to Kane at the table as he gives his speech about retiring. Then you can announce that he’s accepted the position of head coach, then the press can ask questions of either of you.”
“But…” I’m at a loss for words. “Shouldn’t you tell them about me taking over first? Surely you want to have your last press conference.”
“I hate the press. They’re always a pain in the ass. They’ve all been briefed about me stepping down and you rising to the challenge.”
I hate that expression. Rising to the challenge. It makes it sound as if I’m not really capable but I’m going to claw my way up there somehow.
I glance at Kane. Now I’m the one almost hyperventilating and wishing I could be swallowed up by the ground.
“Come on.” My dad walks in first.
All I hear is the click of the cameras and people calling his name.
“Ladies first.” Kane motions with his hand for me to go in.
The door almost shuts behind my dad. I’m ready to hold it open, but Kane grabs my wrist before I make it through the door. I turn to him, and he looks paler than normal. “Thanks.”
“For what?” I cock my head.
He huffs, and that amazing smile he doesn’t show often shines. “We both know what for. Knock ’em dead in there.”
I nod, inhale, and step through the doors, feeling slightly more confident than I did a moment ago. Until the lights flash in my direction and I realize that people are referring to me as Miss Gerhardt now, instead of Jana.
I’m used to press conferences. I’ve been doing them for over fifteen years, though I’ve never felt as uneasy as I do right now. I’ve thought about this moment many times, but it feels surreal that it’s actually here.
Jana walks up the couple of stairs and pulls out her chair to sit down. The gentleman in me wants to tuck it in for her, but this isn’t the place and she’d probably hammer a fist to my balls if I undermined her in front of everyone. I sit down next to her and position one of the microphones in front of me. She clears her throat, and the press all sit down like trained kindergarten kids listening to their teacher.
“Good morning, everyone. As most of you know, I’m Jana Gerhardt and I’m the new owner of the Florida Fury.”
There are no whispers, which means Mr. Gerhardt did inform them of that change already.
“But we aren’t here to talk about myself, but rather Kane Burrows. Kane, do you want to address everyone?” She leans back in her chair and allows me to take center stage.
I straighten my tie and bend toward the microphone. “I’m not gonna sit up here and lie. I’ve never done that and I’m not about to begin now. Today might be the hardest day of my life.” I swallow past the dryness of my throat.
I practiced a more formal speech all last night, but it doesn’t seem fitting, especially after what Jana said outside.
“I’ve been honored and privileged to play a sport I love all my adult life. Not a lot of guys have that opportunity and rarely do guys get as many years in the league as I have. I’ve won Cups and earned awards I never dreamed of. Played for Team Canada in the Olympics three times. I can’t feel sorry for myself that it’s come to an end. It was a great ride, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. But today, I’m here to announce that I’m officially retiring and hanging up my skates.” A painful lump forms in my throat and I blink a few times when I feel myself wanting to tear up.
A few of the press snap some photos, and others raise their hands for questions.
Jana interjects, leaning into the microphone in front of her. “The exciting news today is that Kane Burrows might be retiring as a player, but he’s signed on with the Florida Fury to take the head coaching position.”
The room erupts into a mix of clicking shutters and reporters calling out questions as though they didn’t hear the rumors that someone leaked from Coach Vittner’s retirement party.
Jana puts up her hand like the lady boss she is to stop them from throwing out question after question. “Before we get to questions, the Florida Fury franchise would like to thank Kane Burrows for the brief time he spent with us as a player. He was an incredible goalie the past year and a half, and we wouldn’t be in the position we are without him.” Hands go up, but she’s quick to speak again. “And…”