Steele (Arizona Vengeance 9)

Miss Holland smiles, nodding in affirmation. “True, but it can be bigger. This team went from underdogs to champions in a year. However, our research shows the majority of Vengeance fans are still congregated here within your home state with little reach outward.”

“Holy shit,” Jett murmurs. “Kill me now… I’m in love.”

I finally turn his way—I swear his eyes are bugging out with little hearts in the center where his pupils should be. Frowning, I shake my head and return my attention back to Ms. Holland.

“The Vengeance now has national appeal, and we don’t want to let that die. We want to build on the fans we acquired during the Cup run who aren’t local. Fans in states without professional hockey who have adopted the Vengeance as their own team. But those fans don’t have the personal connection to Phoenix or the state of Arizona, so we need to offer them a different type of personal connection to get them to stay loyal.”

This all makes sense. I’ve never really thought about the business end of things, knowing Dominik Carlson turns anything he touches into gold. I guess I just assumed it was magic, but there’s apparently a strategy.

“Merchandising is our primary target. It’s a huge chunk of revenue for this organization, and Mr. Carlson wants each of you to be ambassadors for these new fans. Connect in a way that makes them want to run out and buy your jersey.”

“What exactly does that mean?” someone in front of me, down to the left, asks. It’s one of our solid veteran players, Tacker Hall.

Ms. Holland smiles. “It means that over the next few weeks, I’m going to be personally meeting with each of you to discuss your personal social media strategy. I know many of you have IG accounts, but if you don’t, you’ll be required to start one. Mr. Carlson wants you all to make personal connections with fans through digital platforms—to share yourself with your fans. My job is to help you navigate and project the right image. I know your schedules are hectic, but I’ll work at your convenience.”

Now the grumbling starts because while some of the guys are hooked to their IG accounts, many don’t have them and probably consider it a waste of time. I have one, mainly to follow Lucy’s posts, but I rarely put anything out there.

Ms. Holland cocks her head. “No time for questions. You have a game to win, so I’ll leave you to it.”

Almost every male eye is on her ass as she saunters out of the room because that dress is insanely form-fitting. Doesn’t interest me, though. Got my own hot woman, and I’ll be seeing her tonight after the game.

The coaching staff follows her out, indicating the meeting is officially over. Players stand up, some congregating right in their seats to either discuss how hot Emory Holland is or how much they’re dreading this new social media policy.

As for me, I don’t care one way or the other. I’ll gladly do what Dominik wants to help the team.

I notice Jett—who is pinned in on our aisle on both sides—hop the chair in front of him, then the one in front of that, before hurrying down that aisle and out the door as if he had a hungry lion on his ass.

Slowly, I file out with Kane, Riggs, and Bain. My mind is already going to my workout, although I think I’ll start in the sauna first to loosen my muscles.

When we exit the meeting room, my gaze immediately lands on Jett, who has cornered Emory Holland. As we walk toward them, Jett starts talking to her in his light Swedish accent. “I’m ready to sign up for a meeting. I love social media. Maybe we can go out to a late dinner after the game tonight to discuss it.”

Ms. Holland gives him a smile that implies while she finds him charmingly adorable, she’s having none of it. “We’ll stick to an arranged meeting in my office, Mister…”

“Jett Olsson,” he replies, offering his hand for her to shake.

She hesitates, putting her palm in his. As she tries to give a professional pump, he pulls her hand to his mouth and brushes a kiss over her knuckles.

“I look forward to our meeting then,” he murmurs, then smiles mischievously as she yanks her hand back. Red stains her cheeks, and I can tell the professional facade she just put on is cracking.

While Jett can be fun and playful, he also has a way with women that makes them a bit hot under the collar. He can see he’s affected her, but he backs off, knowing that too much pressure isn’t the way to go.

As we turn to leave, Jett now back with our line, it’s obvious he’s not giving up on this woman. I almost look forward to seeing how this will play out.