Page 9 of Grizz

“I scored two goals and lit up a guy who cheap-shotted me.If that’s a crisis, maybe the league needs to re-evaluate how they categorize a crisis.”I chuckle at the incessant nonsense.

A flash of heat ignites in his eyes now, breaking through the veneer.“You think this is funny?You’re a highlight reel of violence, bad quotes, and suspension-worthy conduct.You’re a walking liability with great hands and zero filter.”

I shrug.“You knew what you were buying.”He knew I had baggage, just like every other guy who grows up on the prairies of Saskatchewan with a father who lived through his son.

“I knew I was buying fire power.I didn’t realize I’d need a hazmat team just to get you through a simple postgame interview.”He stalks behind his desk again, palms braced on the edge, like he needs something to hold him back from launching into full-blown fury.“You think this team’s just about goals and fights?You think I poured half a billion dollars into this franchise so you could piss it all away one soundbite at a time?”

“I think,” I say, “you needed someone to wake this place up.Someone the fans can believe in.Not another pretty captain with a clean shave and a three-point night against Buffalo.You wanted the storm, so don’t act surprised when it rains.”

Langley’s eyes narrow.“What I wanted was wins.What I got was a sideshow.We talked about this at the beginning of last season when you were suspended twice for getting involved in unnecessary fights.”

“No,” I fire back.“You got someone who bleeds for the Vipers jersey, who puts it on the line every night foryourteam, foryourprofit.Someone who’ll fight until there’s blood on the ice and banners in the rafters.”

“Yes, I want all of that, Grizz.But I’ve had enough of the negative headlines.Enough of the press circus.This organization can’t afford to keep cleaning up your messes.Unless you want to spend the rest of the season watching from a press box next to my suite, we’re doing thismyway now.”

I raise an eyebrow.“Your way?”

On cue, he reaches for the intercom on his desk phone and presses the button.“Send her in.”

Behind me, I hear his door click open, followed by that unmistakable sound… heels on hardwood.

I turn around to see a beautiful woman walking in like sheownsthe place.Black blazer, gold hoops, a notebook in one hand, a pen in the other.Her dark hair is knotted in a bun at the top of her head, which only serves to highlight the elegant line of her neck.Her blue eyes lock onto me and her expression is the exact opposite of impressed.She looks like someone who’s more dangerous with a pen than I am on a breakaway.

Langley straightens, practically puffing out his chest with pride.

“Grizz McAvoy,” he says.“This is Daisy Turner.She’s not with our usual PR firm, rather coming in from traditional media.”

I cock an eyebrow.“Traditional media?”

“Investigative background.I need someone a little tougher than the usual mitigators we’ve put on you.”

Daisy gives me a once-over, taking inventory of the damage.Langley keeps going, undeterred.“She was withContour,one of the best, most influential magazines in the country.Broke some major stories in the fashion industry—”

“Got fired for it, didn’t she?”I interrupt, leveling a smirk her way.I remember seeing something about the big kerfuffle on social media a few days ago.“Yeah, they canned you, didn’t they?”

She shrugs.“I gottoo loudfor the people I made uncomfortable.”

Langley gives a tight smile.“Which makes her uniquely qualified to handleyou.She’ll be overseeing your public narrative, image control, messaging.All of it.”

I run my eyes down the length of her in cold appraisal before turning to Langley.“You brought in ajournalistto follow me around and tell me how to do my job?”

“She’s more than a journalist,” Langley says.“She’s the one who’s going to make sure you’re still employable by Christmas.”

I laugh.“You think some magazine girl with a notebook and a grudge is gonna fix this?What’s the plan?Write a think piece about my inner demons?Spin me into a misunderstood antihero?”

“I’m not here to babysit you, Mr.McAvoy,” she interjects.

I meet her eyes.“Good, because I didn’t sign a contract that calls for some media chaperone following me around with a halo and a crisis binder.”

Her gaze doesn’t flinch.“I didn’t sign up to hold your hand through a meltdown.I’m not here to be liked.I’m here to do a job.You blow things up, I keep the fire from taking down the entire building.”She steps closer, now just inches from me.Not blinking.“You don’t have to like me.You just have tolisten.Because right now?You’re not a hero.You’re a headline with legs.And I don’t plan on letting your self-destruction ruin both our reputations.”

Langley chuckles under his breath.“Excellent.I’ll leave you two to… get acquainted.”

He walks out, and the door shuts behind him, leaving me and my babysitter in silence.

I look at Daisy.She doesn’t look away.

This is going to be a problem.