“Of course she can,” I say, thankful that Ben extended the invitation and not me. I’m still unsure about how much to include Kate in my time with Ben, and I’m ashamed to admit I really kind of want her to go. But as long as Ben is the one doing the inviting, I don’t feel like I’m crossing any lines.
“Mr. Grantham,” I hear from behind me, and turn to see Eliza Hardwick, a sports reporter from the local news station standing there with a cameraman. “Can I get a short interview with you?”
Anxiety cramps my gut because I never did like the limelight all that much and this would be my first time dealing with it since returning to the ice. But unfortunately…it’s not like I can just say no. It’s sort of expected after the game, especially when you’ve been named MVP.
I give her a half-smile and say, “Sure.”
Turning back to Kate, I bend over, since I really tower above her in my skates, and hand Ben back into her arms. “This will just take a moment.”
She smiles with a gleam in her eyes as she takes Ben. “You were awesome tonight, HOS.”
“I’m still Hell on Skates?” I ask with surprise and a chuckle.
“After that performance tonight, most definitely,” she affirms.
Grinning, I turn away from her and walk a couple steps up to Eliza. She’s done several interviews with me over the past few years. Unfortunately, she’s one of those female sports reporters who has a chip on her shoulder, always feeling like she has to prove herself. It makes her unpredictable at times, which is why this makes me anxious.
They set me up against the cinder-block wall that has the Cold Fury logo painted on it, and Eliza steps up next to me. When the cameraman gives her the thumbs-up, she says, “That was a great game, Zack. Your third career hat trick, which included an empty netter at the end to seal the win. It’s impressive coming off a long hiatus from your injury. How is the wrist doing?”
She holds the microphone out to me and I take a nervous swipe at my sweaty forehead as I lean down just a bit to answer her. “It’s doing great. I’ve been cleared and it’s feeling really strong.”
“You’ve been out of the lineup for almost four months,” Eliza says after she moves the microphone back to her face. “Was it hard to get back into the game?”
I shake my head and give a confident smile. “Not really. I stayed in pretty good shape while I was recovering and I’ve had some really good practices the last few weeks.”
“And how about getting into the game mentally?” she asks slyly. “We all know you’ve been through a terrible tragedy. Do you think that’s affecting your play?”
I grit my teeth, completely on edge from the question. “I’m feeling good,” I reiterate to her. “I’ve had tremendous support from my team and the fans. I’m just ready to play hockey again.”
“And how is your son doing?” she asks as her eyes cut over to where he’s being held by Kate. “Is he adjusting well?”
My eyes flash a warning at her, but she just looks back at me expectantly for an answer. “My son is off-limits,” I growl, completely uncaring how this comes across. She just fucking crossed a line.
Eliza is completely unfazed, and she leans forward to look over at Kate and Ben again. “And it appears you’ve started dating again?”
“What the fuck?” I curse at her viciously, completely aware that if this is played on the news, they will be bleeping that part out.
Eliza doesn’t even flinch and actually steps past me toward Ben and Kate. I spin around and am grateful when Kate immediately turns her back on the woman, puts her hand to Ben’s head to tuck him down onto her shoulder so his face is concealed, and starts walking away.
“Ma’am,” Eliza says into her microphone as she starts to pursue Kate. “What’s your name? Are you dating Zack Grantham?”
The cameraman tries to sneak past me, but I stick my hand over the lens of the camera, grab the end of it, pull it out of his grasp, and sling it to the floor.
He starts screaming at me that it’s a seven-thousand-dollar piece of equipment, but I’ve already forgotten him. I spin, take one large stride, and grab Eliza by the elbow, halting her in her place. She stops, turns her head over her shoulder to look at me in irritation, then drops her gaze to her cameraman picking up the equipment from the ground. Over Eliza’s shoulder I see one of the assistant coaches take Kate by the shoulder and lead her down the hall and to the family lounge.
I squeeze Eliza’s elbow until her eyes come to mine. Leaning in to her, I snarl, “That was completely unprofessional and why you’ll never fucking make it in this business. Our GM is going to have words with your news station and you had better not air any of that shit about my son or that woman.”
“And just who is that woman?” she asks, like a fucking dog that won’t give up that bone.
“None of your fucking business,” I hiss at her. “You ever come after me or mine again, I will end your career, do you hear me?”
She rolls her eyes and shrugs, turning away and jerking her arm out of my hold. I start to go after her, but that’s when Coach Pretore steps in and puts both hands on my chest. “Easy, big guy. Get to the locker room, I’ll handle this.”
My eyes slide from Eliza, who is glaring at me, back to Pretore. His face is hard and I know he’s not happy about what just happened. I can’t tell if he’s pissed at me or her, but I really don’t care. Worst case, I just bought myself an overpriced camera. Best case, he’ll pull that clip from the news.