Page 13 of Pucking My Bad Boy Boss
"One last shot for the road?" Sam suggests, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"You read my mind," I reply with a grin.
We raise our glasses, the amber liquid catching the dim light of the bar. "To the game, and to whatever the hell comes next," I toast.
"To the game," Sam echoes, and we knock back the shots, the smooth burn a fitting end to our evening.
We stand, pulling on our jackets, the buzz of the bar fading into the background. There's a sense of camaraderie, a shared love for the game that goes beyond words. We clasp hands, a firm, brotherly grip, before heading towards the door.
"Take care, man," I say, giving Sam a final nod.
"You too, D. Don't be a stranger," he replies, and then we're off, going our separate ways into the cool Seattle night.
As I walk back to my apartment, the city skyline stretches above me, a tapestry of lights and shadows. My mind, however, keeps drifting back to Isabella. Her determination, her fiery spirit, the way she challenges me without even trying—it's all etching itself deeper into my thoughts.
I can't shake the feeling that she's going to turn my life upside down. Whether it's going to be a disaster or the best damn thing to ever happen to me, I can't tell. But one thing's for sure—it's going to be a hell of a ride.
With each step, the feeling grows stronger, an undeniable pull towards something unknown, something thrilling. Isabella Carrington, with her sharp mind and even sharper tongue, has somehow become the most intriguing part of my new life here in Seattle.
7
Isabella
I'mperchedatahigh-top table in a cozy corner of the Metropolitan, Jenna’s and my go-to place for drinks after work, a half-empty glass of red wine in front of me. Jenna's across from me, her brow furrowed in sympathy as I vent.
"Can you believe him?" I huff, swirling the wine in my glass. "Dom Steele just swaggers in like he owns the place. He's arrogant, overbearing, and thinks he can just take over the team."
Jenna sips her drink, her expression a mix of amusement and concern. "This guy really gets under your skin, huh?"
I scoff, shaking my head. "It's not about that. It's about respect. He's treating the Silver Blades like his personal playground. He has no idea the amount of work it takes to run a team."
Jenna leans in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Is he at least easy on the eyes? That might make up for some of it."
I roll my eyes, but I can't help the small smile that tugs at the corner of my lips. "Okay, fine. He's... well, he's not hard to look at. But that's not the point!"
She chuckles. "Sure, sure. It's all about professionalism."
I take a deep breath, trying to calm the frustration bubbling inside me. "I just don't get why he's here. The Blades were doing just fine before Mr. High-and-Mighty showed up."
Jenna reaches across the table, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. "You're one of the best managers in the league, Isabella. Don't let this guy rattle you. You've handled bigger challenges."
Her words are a balm to my frayed nerves. "Thanks, Jenna. I just need to figure out how to work with him without wanting to throw a hockey stick at his head."
She laughs, raising her glass. "To not committing assault with a hockey stick."
Jenna pauses mid-sip, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Speaking of headstrong, where do you even get this from? You and Sam… you’re both cut from the same type-A cloth. Don’t get me wrong; I love it. But no wonder you’re butting heads with a dude like Dom.”
“Guess it makes sense. My mom and dad didn’t raise me to get walked all over by any swaggering alpha male dick who waltzed his way into my life.”
“Ahh,” she says, as if getting it. “Mom and dad. You never talk about them, you know? They’re the ones who pushed you into this kind of way of doing things, huh?”
I nod, unable to suppress a sigh. "Yeah, they were. Dad's a neurosurgeon, and Mom's a corporate lawyer. Excellence was the only option in our household."
"Sounds like a pressure cooker," Jenna observes, her tone laced with understanding.
"It was," I agree. "And still is, in a way. Emotional expression wasn't really a big thing in our house. It was more about achievements, awards, and accolades. I guess that's why I'm so driven with the StarPucks. And why Sam's excelling on the ice."
Jenna nods, understanding dawning in her eyes. "Makes sense. You two are like high achievers personified. But hey, it's brought you both pretty far. Sam's killing it in the league, and you... you're the epitome of a girlboss."
