"Yeah. My old teammate is shipping mine to me, but it's going to take at least a week. The guys are on a road trip." He looked a little lost, like a fish out of water. She couldn't imagine being without everything familiar.
"Stop by after you're finished with practice today, and I'll drive you to the rental car place and get you squared away."
His brows rose. "That's nice of you."
"It's my job." Her job didn't usually extend to that extra courtesy, especially since she was transitioning more into her on-camera role for the team and away from player services, but she couldn't pass off Leo to someone else, not after how she'd screwed up the flight information. The pull she'd felt intensified and her heart thudded harder, like she was on the verge of something big and important.
His lips curved in a wry smile. "Maybe you should make sure there's no bomb under the driver's seat or cut brake lines. The Bedlam fans were pretty detailed in their...displeasure about my arrival."
Some of those comments had been downright scary. Kelsey understood being passionate about a team and its players, but some fans went too far. As much as she was upset about Dylan's concussion, she wouldn't wish Leo physical harm. The team had a plan in place to sway the fans, and like it or not, they wanted her at the helm. She pushed the folder across her desk. "In addition to working in player services, I'm also a part of the fan outreach team. I do videos on the Bedlam site and in the arena to bring the players closer to the fans. With all of the baggage of what happened with Dylan, my boss wants you and me to do a series of media events."
"Throwing me to the wolves? I'll take that on." His gaze drifted to the framed photo on her desk of Dylan, Rod, and her. Every time she looked at it, she smiled. That perfect summer day when Rod had signed his contract to join the Bedlam, was one of her favorite memories. "I imagine you're pretty upset with me too."
"I'll be honest, on a personal level, I can't look at you and not think that you're the guy who gave him a concussion." She winced at the way the corners of his eyes and mouth turned down and tried to soften her words with a smile. "I know the hit wasn't a cheap shot, but he's still my brother and I hate that he's hurt. But on a professional level, I have no problem with you."
"Well, that's honest." He frowned into his coffee. When he looked up, his eyes had clouded over. "He and I exchanged texts after that game, but I haven't been able to find out much about his recovery. How is he?"
The fact that he asked meant a lot. She'd known about the text, but not about the content, other than it had contained an apology. Kelsey smiled wider. "He's improving every day. Thank goodness. He's like every other hockey player out there, fighting hard to get back on the ice as soon as he can."
Light came back into Leo's eyes. "I'm glad."
He glanced at the clock on the far wall. "According to the team schedule you emailed to me, practice is supposed to begin soon. It wouldn't look good to be late on my first day."
"I'll walk you down to Coach LeClair's office." She stood and waited while he stuffed the folder into his travel bag, then held out one of her business cards. "If I can help with anything, let me know."
"Personally or professionally?" He accepted the card. Their fingers brushed and the contact sparked her nerve endings like an electric shock. Leo's gaze intensified like he'd felt it too.
She pulled her hand to her side. Damn static electricity. "Shall we go?"
As they walked, she pointed out the different offices, keeping a careful distance between them. But that three feet of space didn't diminish his presence or how her skin buzzed as though sensitized to his nearness.
Relief swept through her when they reached the coach's office. The older man, a good friend of her dad, welcomed Leo in. After one last look, Leo disappeared into the office and the door closed behind him.
Kelsey blew out a breath and walked back to the safety of her office. Leo was sexy with smoldering energy. Nothing could have prepared her for him.
Even so, nothing could happen between them. She didn't date hockey players. And she wouldn't date the one who'd knocked her brother down. Not even if he was so sexy he made her toes curl.
CHAPTER THREE
LEO FOLLOWED COACH LeClair into the locker room, his muscles tightening like he was entering enemy territory and needed to be ready to fight.
Slowly, conversations around him ceased as his new teammates realized his presence. Across the room, Rod Fraser met his gaze with zero expression.
He didn't relish that introduction.
Coach raised his voice. "Men, with Leo here, we're shoring up two weaknesses. He can score and he can fight. We have one goal above everything else, and that's to bring home the Cup. Leo will help us make that happen."
A few of the guys closest to Leo shook his hand. All of the rest murmured greetings, but no one looked thrilled to have him there. He couldn't blame them too much. Dylan was their leading scorer, a big part of their power play and penalty-killing units, and a leader in every way on and off the ice. His absence would be felt on every level.
Leo made sure to make eye contact with every man in the room, almost like wild animals sizing each other up, showing them that he was ready for whatever came his way.
Then his gaze landed
