Magic

Kris walks down the hall towards the locker room. He's heard the rumours about the new intern, but he doesn't really give a shit. Typically interns are scared, mousy little things that can barely spit out half a sentence. Plus, it was the rookies that were talking about her. Rookies always have screwed up gauges of beauty.

Kris swings open the door and walks into the room; he sees no intern, yet. He wanders over to his stall, giving a couple of the guys "heys" on the way over. Duper is waiting for him. "Tanger, have you heard what the rookies are saying about the newbie?" Kris rolls his eyes. "Yeah, rooks are always full of shit." Pascal Dupuis laughs, "You're telling me!" Kris busies himself with arranging his gear, getting ready to suit up for the first practice of the season. He hears the soft click of heels enter the locker room. Looking up, Kris sees all the guys eyes pivot to the noise. He turns, and is surprised to see a gorgeous, young woman standing awkwardly next to the doors.

"There's no fucking way that's the intern." Kris snorts to his neighbor, Tanner Glass.

He frowns. "I sure as hell hope not. I won't be able to focus on shit with her around."

The new coach, Mike Johnston, walks in along with the long time Pens Media manager, Michelle Crechiolo. "Boys, listen up for a minute." Johnston instructs.

"Alright, boys, this is my new intern, Lacey. She's a good person, so try not to screw her up." Michelle says. All the boys laugh softly.

Damn, Kris thinks. She's all the elements of a woman that is attractive. Long neck, perfectly sized breasts, hips that are the right width, and an ass that sticks out just enough. Her brown hair falls in waves down her back and her eyes are a bright blue.

"Now Lacey is going to say a few words, so listen up."

"Hi, like Michelle said, I'm Lacey. I've been working with professional athletes since high school, and I'm excited to get to work with you all." She sounds different. The accent isn't Southern, but isn't a Northern one either: Kris is now perplexed. The sensible part of him says to stay away, but the other half of him wants to get to know her. She seems like the type of person you want to get to know.

As he takes the ice for practice, Kris notices Lacey sitting up in the stands with Michelle. They seem to be going over the day. Kris wishes she would stay there, and watch him, hopefully watch him.

"Earth to Tanger!" Duper hollered.

Kris's head snapped over, his face flushed a deep shade of red. "Now who's hot for the intern?" Dupuis laughs. "Fuck off." Kris snaps. Dupuis raises his palms and skates toward center ice. Kris shakes his head and skates to the other boys.

***************************

After practice, I'm dressed and heading out for the day, when I hear a sweet voice, "Kris?" I turn and see Lacey walking toward me. "Yeah?"

"Hi, I just wanted to introduce myself. I caught the other guys as they were heading back, but I missed you."

Dammit, I had tried to avoid her for this very reason. I can't get too close. "Oh, sorry, I get zoned a little bit after practice." Total. Bullshit.

She gives me this look, that she knows I'm full of it. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Kris."

"Nice to meet you, too. See you around." She smiles and walks away. I cringe. Yep, I'm already in deep. See you around? Because I sure as hell want to.

Notes