Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
The lights dim and after the introductions of players wrap up, we face off against the Golden Knights.
The game is intense. Both teams are battling it out on the ice like we’re in the playoffs rather than a regular season game. The hits are harder, the attempts more passionate, and the crowd is feeding off of it like the best of them.
It makes for incredible footage, but soon I find myself so wrapped up in the game I pocket my phone and focus as if my attention will help us win.
Nash gains possession of the puck, dodging Knights left and right, before sinking the puck against the net.
I cheer louder than I ever have before, and the camera isn't even on.
I chide myself, mentally noting for the next game to make sure one of my friends has the camera at some point to get me in the shot. But for now, I'm kind of hoping that Nash being the center of attention will be enough to keep our new followers content.
Either way, the enthusiasm isn’t for show. I’m genuinely proud of him, of the entire team as we beat the Knights by one.
The girls and I head to Clay’s house after the players file out of the stadium, showered and on a win-high. We beat some of the players there, and help Clay pull out food and drinks as the rest of the team and their friends start showing up.
Nash comes in after Pax and Lawson, his eyes lighting up when he spots me. The look does things to my body—excited, fluttery things that it has no business doing. I manage to get those feelings in check as he weaves through the crowd now filling Clay’s house.
He reaches me, opening his arms like he wants a hug.
I tilt my head, sparing a look at Monroe and Blakely, wondering what the hell I should do.
He shakes his head, drawing me into a hug and planting a kiss atop my forehead. He moves his lips to the shell of my ear. “Sorry, I'm not sure how you want me to act when the camera isn’t on. This okay?”
I laugh, the awkward bubble breaking. “It’s okay,” I say. “This is our first official night doing this. There's going to be some awkwardness.”
“I'll do better,” he says.
“Nash!” Baylor calls, motioning for him to join them where he and Clay are chatting near the back door that leads to Clay’s impressive patio and pool arrangement.
Nash glances down at me, a smile shaping his irresistible lips before he heads over to his friends.
I take the opportunity to grab my camera and wander around through Clay's house, being sure to catch the celebration for the Badgers. I get shots of Pax acting like a total teddy bear, carrying all four drinks to me, Blakely, Lawson, and Monroe, even when hers is an elaborate concoction with soda water, sour gummies, and ice.
I capture Lawson being a competitive goofball, challenging our goalie, Fender Strode, to a challenge of who can run the length of Clay’s expansive property the fastest.
And I manage to catch Baylor showing off how much he can lift by picking up the full keg stationed on the back patio and lifting it over his head.
When I make it back inside and spot our captain, I head over to him, but he simply scowls at my camera, shakes his head, and moves on.
Fair enough.
At least I scored some good shots I can mash up later into what I hope will be a fantastic video.
I pocket my phone, taking a break as I sip on the soda water that Paxton brought me.
Nash returns to our little group, stepping beside me and drawing my attention.
“So, tell me, Reese’s Pieces,” he says. “What got you into this gig?”
I blink a few times, taken aback by the very first-date-like question. Though, to be fair, it would be a good idea to get to know each other beyond the surface-level stuff.
“I've always had a knack for video editing and photography,” I explain. “When I went to college, my sister had just launched her makeup business. Going into marketing seemed like the most advantageous thing to do for the family. After I learned a little, I managed to create a social media brand for her that launched her business into the limelight. I found out I was able to reach target audiences and give them the branded content they wanted in a fun way that didn’t feel like generated ads.”
“That's awesome about your sister's business,” he says. “How’d you make the switch from that to the Badgers?”
“I met Blakely and Monroe freshman year in college. They had aspirations for career paths with the Badgers and I couldn’t help but see the appeal. I fell in love with the team and quickly made the shift.”