Jake (Spruce Creek Puck Boys Book #3)

Dear Reader,

Three teammates and a small town obsessed with hockey. And did I mention some rich pro athletes? These are three steamy OTT instalove sport romances.
Determined career woman? Yes! Brooding playboy star athlete? I’ve got you. Fated mates? You’ll have to see for yourself.
Each teammate’s story can be read as a standalone but enjoy them all!
Love, Maddie

Chapter 1: Emily
I love the hush of the newsroom before the evening edition goes to press. It’s the calm before the storm, the lull between the morning’s frantic rush and the final push to get the paper out the door. The room is filled with the glow from computer screens bathing everything in a pale blue light as daylight fades outside the windows. And yet my heart races as I sit at my desk preparing for the final editorial meeting of the day.
I’ve been clawing my way up the ranks of the Daily News to earn my place as a sports journalist in my own right. But I’ve always been overshadowed by one thing: my last name.
Saunders.
The same as the editor-in-chief who happens to be my father.
Lew Saunders is a legend in this city, a respected journalist with decades of experience. He’s also my boss, which means that everyone I work with knows exactly who I am. And as much as I hate to admit it, I’ve always wondered if they think I’m only here because of him.
I’ve worked so hard to prove myself, to show that I deserve to be here. But no matter how many late nights I spend at the office, how many scoops I break, how many bylines I earn, I can’t escape the shadow of my last name.
And lately, the competition has been fierce. With the rise of the Sports Center, our biggest online competition, everyone’s been on edge. The paper is doing everything to survive, and everyone wants to break a story that will send them to the top of the heap.
We wait for Lew to call us into his office for the final editorial meeting of the day. But as the minutes tick by, I can’t help but feel like all eyes are on me. Hayley, the aggressive reporter who’s always trying to one-up me, glares in my direction. Mark and Henry, two of the guys who sit next to me, snicker behind their hands. Mazie, my sweet friend who does our graphics and sits across from me, gives me a sympathetic smile.
I’m not imagining things. They’re all waiting for me to be called into Lew’s office. They’re all waiting to see what new assignment my daddy gave me.
My phone rings, and I glance at the screen. Finally. I take a deep breath as I pick up the phone. “Hey, Dad. I’ll be right there.”
I push away from my desk and head down the hall to Lew’s office. I knock on the door.
“Come in.”
Lew is in his usual spot behind his desk, surrounded by piles of papers and a half-empty coffee mug. He looks up as I enter, his brow furrowed. “Hey, Em. Thanks for coming down. Close the door and have a seat.”
I do as he says, perching on the edge of the chair in front of his desk. “What do you have for me?”
Lew sighs and rubs a hand over his face. “I know you’ve been working hard on that piece about the new team facilities. I hate to throw a wrench in your plans, but I need you to take on a new assignment. Something big just came up, and I want someone I trust to handle it.”
I’m not sure if I should be excited or nervous. “Of course, Dad. What’s the assignment?”
Lew hesitates, and I can see the conflict in his eyes. He knows how much I hate being singled out; how hard I’ve worked to prove myself. But he’s also a good editor, relentlessly in pursuit of a great story and he’s not going to let his personal feelings get in the way of any job. I know he wouldn’t give me big assignments if he didn’t think I could deliver.
“It’s a story about Jake Harrison. You know who he is?”
I nod. How could I not? Jake Harrison is the star enforcer for the Spruce Creek Devils hockey team. He’s also the hottest thing to hit the sports world in years. Every time I turn on the TV or scroll through social media, there he is. With his dark hair and brilliant blue eyes, his rugged good looks and that cocky grin. He’s everywhere. On the ice, in the press, in gossip columns.
Everywhere.
And now he’s going to be in my life.
“Yeah, I know who he is. What’s the story?”
Lew studies me. “It’s not going to be easy, Em. You know how the Devils are about controlling their image. And Jake is...well, he’s a bit of a loose cannon and he put one of the players on the opposing team in hospital with a concussion. There could be consequences for him. We need the inside scoop on this one. It’s too big to pass up.”
I nod, trying to keep my expression neutral. Inside, I’m scared shitless and excited. I want this assignment, BUT I don’t want to be thrown into the spotlight because of some hotshot hockey player who can’t control his temper. I’m not sure if high profile is the way to go right now.
“Do people think he did it on purpose?” I ask. Hockey is a violent game with fights breaking out all the time. It almost feels like pro wrestling to me sometimes.
“You don’t seem excited. This is your chance to uplevel,” he says.
“Am I reporting on the specific fight from several nights ago?” I ask.
“He’s become increasingly violent on the ice. I think there is a story in there.”
“So, what’s making him explode outside of hockey?”
“Yes. Exactly. But Jake is a live wire, and I’m not going to lie, this could all very easily implode. You’re the only one I trust to handle it with integrity. With your psychology background, I know you’ll do a great job.”
I force a smile. I majored in psychology in college because I thought it would help me become a better journalist. I’ve always been interested in figuring out what makes people tick. And yet, I’m still not sure I’m ready for this.
“Of course, Dad. I understand. I’ll get right on it.”
Lew leans back in his chair.
“Thanks, Em. You’ll be great. Oh, and one more thing. You need to clear your schedule for the next few days. The team is having a weekend getaway at a mountain resort and have the Children’s Hospital Foundation Gala Sunday night. I booked you a room and let the coach know you’re coming. It will be the perfect opportunity to spend some time with Jake. Get to know him. Earn his trust.”
I freeze. He just gave me a plumb assignment and is sending me to a luxury resort for the weekend. My heart drops. I will never be able to explain this to my colleagues.
This is a nightmare. A living, breathing nightmare. And I have to cozy up to some overpaid hot-as-sin playboy athlete. Nepo baby favoritism complete.
But I can’t say that to my father. I plaster on another fake smile. “Sure thing, Dad. I’ll clear my schedule. You can count on me.”
Lew claps his hands together. “Great! Thanks, Em. This is going to be fantastic for your career.”
I nod and stand up. Why does what they think bother me so much? I should be overjoyed with this assignment. Instead, the whole thing depresses me. I thought it was such a boon to get a job at my dad’s paper. It never occurred to me that my coworkers would hate me for it.
I force myself to keep it together as I leave Dad’s office and head back to my desk. I can feel everyone’s eyes on me as I walk down the hall. They’re all waiting to hear what new assignment my daddy gave me. They’re all waiting to see me fail.
I won’t give them the satisfaction.
I sit down at my desk and focus on the assignment in front of me: Jake Harrison.
I’m deep in the rabbit hole of research that I don’t notice Mazie standing next to my desk until she clears her throat. I look up, and she smiles sympathetically. “Rough day?”
I sigh and rub my temples. “Yes. No. Maybe?”
Mazie perches on the edge of my desk, concern in her eyes. “You look like you’re about to murder someone. Please tell me it’s not another one of your torrid dating choices. I can’t handle another breakup story.”