Regardless, I’m just so fucking relieved to be here. It means I get to spend time with my dad and continue playing hockey. I know it will end up being my saving grace throughout my dad’s last days.
The receptionist in the lobby area of the executive suite looks up with a smile as I approach her desk. “Can I help you?”
“I’m Rafe Simmons,” I tell her. “I’m supposed to meet with Gray Brannon this morning.”
“Of course, Mr. Simmons,” she says exuberantly, rising from her desk. “Ms. Brannon is expecting you and told me to bring you right back when you arrived. If you’ll follow me, please.”
She leads me down a hall to Gray’s office, a luxurious space as traditionally styled as the rest of the suite. The receptionist gives a short rap on the door but doesn’t wait for a response, merely pushes it open and steps inside to announce me.
I’m stunned to see Gray on the floor in front of her desk, playing with a baby, who is chewing on a wooden block.
Gray Brannon is a beautiful woman with fiery red hair and crystal green eyes. She’s gorgeous, but it’s not what she’s typically known for. Instead, she’s the first and only female general manager in the league, a former Olympic hockey player and bronze medalist who managed to lead the Cold Fury to back-to-back Cup championships since joining the team four years ago.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to see her on the floor, performing just another duty of her incredibly busy and challenging life: mom. I know she and her husband—former Cold Fury goalie Ryker Evans—had the baby about eleven months ago.
Gray looks up and grins at me, a toothy welcome that’s also wholly unapologetic. She’s not sorry that she’s on the floor with her kid rather than greeting me with a handshake. “Hey, Rafe. Come on in.”
I step past the receptionist, who backs out but leaves the door open.
“Sorry about this.” Gray waves at herself and her baby—a little boy who smiles up at me, all gums and drool. “Ryker is swinging by to pick Milo up, but he’s running a few minutes late.”
“No worries,” I reply with an easy smile, clasping my hands in front of me, unsure of what I should do. I think this meeting is just a formality, although Gray and I have talked on the phone twice since I approached Dominik Carlson with my request to come to the Cold Fury.
There’s a knock on the open door behind me, and I turn to see Alex Crossman walk in.
Alex is the captain of the team, one of the finest players in the league, and heads up the first line as the center. It’s the same position I play, except on the second line.
“I was just walking by,” Alex explains as he sticks his hand out to me. “Saw you in here and thought I’d officially welcome you to the team.”
I shake his hand, and he gives mine a hearty pump. “Good to see you,” I tell him.
I’ve met Alex on a few occasions at public events, and he’s always been gracious. I’m excited to play under his leadership.
“Alex,” Gray says, pulling Milo onto her lap. “Ryker’s coming by to pick up the rug rat, but he’s running late. Do you mind taking Rafe down to the locker room and showing him around? I’ll be down later.”
“Not at all,” Alex replies easily and turns for the door. “Just headed there myself.”
This isn’t unexpected. We have a team skate in about half an hour, which will be just a light workout since there’s a game tonight. The Cold Fury is taking on the Toronto Blazers tonight in the second game of the first round of the playoffs. The Cold Fury already took game one the day before last. While I won’t be playing in tonight’s game, I will be skating with the team to get my feet wet. Gray told me they expect me to head up the second line for game three in two days’ time.
Today is more about meeting my teammates and establishing some chemistry with the rest of the guys on the second line.
“It was great meeting you, Gray,” I tell her with an incline of my head that speaks to my gratitude. “I can’t thank you enough for doing this.”
Her face softens, and she pulls Milo in a little closer to her chest. “We’re glad to have you. I hate the circumstances that brought you to the team, but we’re all here to support you. That being said, we think you’re a great addition, and will be of great benefit to us.”
That’s overly kind of her to say. It’s going to be a bit of a transition for them to get used to me and my style of play. While Kane Bellan and I were a pretty even trade, there are slight differences. It’s going to be a hindrance to the second line until we can gel—something that could happen within the first game, or several after.