Page 43 of Breaking the Ice

Bouchard escorts Ms. Barnes out of the staff office, her heels clicking on the linoleum. In a pencil skirt and suit jacket, she’s probably the most dressed-up anyone has ever been in this locker room. Everything about her, from her smooth, sleek brown bob and the hungry look in her eyes to the iPad clutched in arms, screams her intensity.

“Hi there.” She smiles, oozing confidence. “I’m sure most of you remember me from my time as the Social Media Director, but after the little problem the football team had last month, I’ve taken over Public Relations.”

Interesting. “Little problem” must be code for the hazing scandal, and it sounds like someone was fired and she got promoted. I shake my head and try to focus on what she’s saying.

“After the, ah, football incident, the university was hesitant to agree to this tournament in Las Vegas, but Coach Russell has assured us that you all are model students, and the whole event will only bring great publicity to Harrison and hockey in general.” She glances at Coach and he gives a decisive nod, underscoring her words. “As such, please make sure that all your actions in public reflect positively on the university. There is to be no underage drinking or gambling, of course, no illegal or lewd behavior, and no posting anything on social media that is less than pristine and wholesome.”

She pauses and locks eyes with everyone around the circle, turning menacing. “Before you do anything, stop and think. Would you do this if your mother was standing next to you? Your grandmother? Your coach? If not, then don’t do it. And definitely don’t take a picture of it. Use your brains, gentlemen, because I don’t want to clean up any more messes from the athletic department this year.”

Tucking a strand of her straight brown hair behind an ear, the scary demon lady disappears and the angelic version returns. “I will, of course, be accompanying the team just to make sure that everything is captured in the most positive light. I’m sure you’re all as excited as I am about Puck Drop in the Desert.”

With that, she spins on her impossibly tall heel and walks out. The room hums with conversation.

I turn to Jonas. “That was not on our list of guesses.”

He runs a hand through his hair, blinking. “Not even close.”

“Vegas for Thanksgiving.” I raise my brows, sure my face is showing my delight. Even that speech can’t dim how awesome this is.

He grins from ear to ear. “I bet I can get Hadley to come cheer us on and hang out. This is gonna be the best.”

Me, the guys, our friends, some exhibition hockey, and the Vegas strip? Absolutely.

“We’ll remember it forever.”

Chapter

Nineteen

ISABELLA

Vanessa: Happy Thanksgiving!

Ariana: Enjoy the break!

Isabella: Can’t wait to see you guys when we get back. This semester is flying by. Let’s do coffee again soon.

My mom looks over at me and smiles, mouthing something. With a sigh, I take out my ear buds and remind myself to be patient and not take it out on her. It’s not her fault that we’re currently strapped in, breathing recycled air, 40,000 feet above Iowa or Kansas.

“What did you say?” I ask her.

“How are you feeling about everything? Starting to get a little excited?”

“Um.” The plane hits a bump, and my stomach lurches like we’re on a roller coaster. The “fasten seatbelt” sign has been on the entire flight because of the turbulence. Awesome. The only thing that would make this worse was if we were stuck on a plane with the Harrison hockey team. Because while I don’t hate them all sight-unseen like I used to, they have still ruined my holiday plans. At least they flew out a few days ago.

Most people don’t realize that the majority of college athletic teams fly commercial. The football team is big enough—in numbers, not the size of the players—to need its own plane, but the other teams fly Delta, United, or Southwest like the rest of us. Or take a bus when it’s close enough. My dad and his players had practice and publicity events in Vegas this week, so they left Sunday, but I had classes to attend, so my mom and I are flying out now, on Tuesday.

Flying across the country Instead of baking, shopping early Black Friday deals online, and making plans to eat our weight in stuffing and pie. I should be excited about the opportunity to get out of town and explore something new, but it’s not what I had in mind, and I’m having a hard time getting happy about the change.

I don’t want to totally dump all the negativity I’m feeling on my mom, so I say, “The weather should be nice. I’m looking forward to that.”

She raises a brow. “That’s the lamest answer I’ve ever heard.”

Wow, so much for trying.

I sigh again. “I’m sorry, Mom, but I really wanted to be home for Thanksgiving. It kinda feels like Dad and hockey are hijacking our holiday.”

“Shhh.” She widens her eyes comically. “You can’t say ‘hijacking’ on a plane.”