CHAPTER 5

THIAGO

We had just finished the afternoon team meeting and I could already tell exhaustion was finally sinking into my bones.

The hallway had twenty hockey players talking about the upcoming road trip while I stayed silent, mentally checking the roster details for the travel schedule.

Kier was walking right beside me, complaining about a minor adjustment to our line plays but then he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks when we reached the elevators.

I looked up slowly and followed his stunned gaze, which landed on his sister, Anastasia.

My face twitched seeing her and I didn't know what to feel at that moment.

But then I couldn't help but immediately notice a badge around her neck. That was clearly the official media badge for this team.

I walked up behind Kier, pushing past a couple of players and I noticed her photo was printed on it.

My eyes instantly locked on hers with deep disapproval and a wave of irritation washed over me.

I'd then realized quickly she had been the replacement for the photography crisis.

"What the hell are you doing back here, Ana?" Kier demanded, stepping forward and looking at the badge around her neck with wide eyes. "I told you to stay away from the facility."

"Well I need money and a job, Kier," Anastasia said, looking all defensive as she lifted the badge showing it off to our faces. "I am the new official photographer for the Titans."

I lost my patience and stepped right in front of her, crossing my arms over my chest while I kept my voice cold and strict.

“Hiring the player's sister is a massive mistake for team discipline, Anastasia. This is a professional sports organization, not a family day care, and we are right in the middle of a championship run. We just fired our last photographer for violating our privacy rules, and having you wander around the team house is a major distraction that we cannot afford right now.”

She only scoffed and I couldn't help but be amused by how fiercely stubborn she was.

She immediately cut me off before I could say another word.

“This is not a family day care, Thiago,” I stated firmly. “I did earn this job with my photography portfolio and Mr Hunts hired me because my shots are better than the other options. I signed a legal contract and I take my work seriously. So I'm not a distraction to you guys and I certainly will not let your bad attitude interfere with my professional duties.”

I stared at her, completely stunned and others around me also gasped.

The sheer audacity of her response only made things interesting for me. She was much smaller than me, but she stood her ground with so much confidence that I couldn't look away.

Before I could respond to her comment, a player with curly brown hair walked over and he had intentionally interrupted our argument.

Of course, it was the flirty rookie sensation we had signed this season. Cassian Brooks, the twenty-four-year old who doesn't care less about getting caught in a rumor.

Cassian looked at Anastasia and flashed his usual charming dimpled smile that usually worked on every girl he tried to play with.

“Well, the team just got a whole lot more interesting," Cassian said, leaning on the wall and tilting his head toward her. "I'm Cassian, the rookie. And you must be the reason why the captain is looking like he wants to punch a hole in the wall."

“I am Anastasia,” she said, keeping her voice completely cool.

“It's great to meet you, Anastasia,” Cassian said, his smirk widening. "The marketing team told us we need to update our individual headshots for the team website this week. I was wondering if I could get your phone number right now, you know, so we can coordinate our schedules and make sure you get my best angles."

I felt intense annoyance building in my chest as I listened to him, and my fists clenched tightly at my sides. Kier looked equally angry, his face turning red as he prepared to yell at the rookie.

Anastasia looked at Cassian's outstretched phone, and she gave him a witty, sharp rejection without a single second of hesitation. “My phone number is for official business only, Cassian, and Mr. Hunts handles all the player scheduling. If you want your headshots done, you can check the master calendar tomorrow morning just like everybody else.”

Cassian blinked in surprise, and then breaks out into a loud laugh, looking thoroughly amused and incredibly attracted to her fierce attitude. “Wow. Okay, I like a challenge. I guess I will just have to see you at the practice rink tomorrow morning, Anastasia.”

“I will be there,” she replied with a quick smile and she offered a small, polite nod to her brother before turning around to walk toward the exit.

Cassian immediately turned and followed her, continuing to talk and joke as they moved down the hallway together, and Anastasia didn't stop him even once.

When Anastasia had finally gone, I still couldn't help but stare in that direction. A strange anger building in my chest.

“Can you believe that guy?" Kier muttered, shaking his head in anger as he looked toward the empty exit. "He's already hitting on my sister on her first day.”

“He needs to focus on his game, not the staff,” I said, my voice coming out pretty harsh.

I forced myself to look away and gripped my gear bag tightly, trying to convince myself that the new photographer's social life was absolutely none of my business.