Body Check by Deirdre Martin Page B

Give it up.”
    â€œOh, that’s rich,” Janna snorted. “The man who told me that persistence is the key to achievement in life is now telling me to give it up! You should be happy I’m hounding you to death like this, Ty! It shows I took what you said to heart.”
    â€œThis is different.”
    â€œMy ass it is,” Janna snapped. She saw a mild blink of shock shudder across his face and laughed. “What, you’ve never heard a woman say ‘ass’ before? I seriously doubt that.”
    â€œSay what you want, think what you want, and beg all you want,” was Ty’s unequivocally cold reply. “But I’m not filling in for Duncan.”
    â€œSo that’s that.”
    â€œThat’s that.”
    â€œNo PR, ever, no exceptions.”
    â€œNo PR, ever, no exceptions,” he repeated, turning to go.
    â€œYou know, you are one hypocritical, heartless bastard,” Janna hissed to his departing back.
    Ty stopped dead. Janna saw him take a deep, calculated breath before spinning back around to face her. When he did, there were storm clouds brewing in his eyes, black and dangerous.
    â€œWhat did you say to me?”
    â€œI said you’re a hypocritical, heartless bastard,” Janna repeated, warming to her topic. He’d thrown the ball back to her, and like it or not, she was going to run with it. “Forget Kidco for a minute, okay, and let’s discuss the team. You talk about how important it is to ‘give back’ to the guys who work so hard for you. You treat them great, making sure everyone’s happy, making sure the poor scared rookies fit in so the Blades are just one big, happy, winning family. But you know what, Ty? Every one of the guys on this team has a pretty cushy life. There isn’t one of them who isn’t pulling down at least a six-figure salary.
    â€œDid it ever cross your mind that it might be nice to give something back to the community that makes all that possible? If it weren’t for those fans that pay to see you play, you guys would be out of a job! How about giving back to the poor guy who can’t read very well, so he goes to Literacy Volunteers, but in the meantime every spare cent he makes at his menial job goes to buying tickets to watch the Blades? Ever think of him? Or the hockey fans stuck in the hospital who can only watch games on TV? Do you have any idea what a difference a visit—one lousy, stinking hour of your life—could make? Your celebrity is a special resource. Why won’t you use it? How can you not care about what goes on outside this locker room?!”
    She reared back slightly, stunned and breathless from her outburst. Meanwhile, Ty stood with his hands on his waist, staring down at the floor. He was breathing hard, waves of resentment zigzagging off him, one after another after another. When he lifted his head, Janna could see he was furious, a vein in his left temple throbbing as he glowered at her.
    â€œYou have no idea what the hell you’re talking about. Not only that, but what I choose to do, or not to do, is none of your goddamn business to comment on, never mind judge. I play my guts out on the ice for the fans every night. If that’s not enough ‘giving back’ for them—or for you—then that’s just too damn bad. You got that?”
    â€œOh, I’ve got it, all right,” Janna replied bitterly. She straightened, buttoning up her blazer. “Thank you for your time, Captain Gallagher. It’s certainly been illuminating, as they say.”
    She spun on her heel and began walking away, head held high. This was the part where he was supposed to come after her and grab her arm and say, “Wait a minute, I didn’t mean it, I’ll help you, Janna.” But it didn’t happen. Instead, all she heard was the sound of her own footsteps echoing down the hallway, and the locker room door slamming.
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