Talk Hockey to Me (Bears Hockey #3) - Kelly Jamieson Page 0,25
I kind of read more into that night than was really there. I realized my feelings for him had changed from friendship to…well, something more. But the next day he left. We never even talked.”
“Oh no.” Her eyebrows slope downward.
“At first I was…disappointed.” That’s not quite the right word. Hurt… angry… heartbroken? Nah. But I was sad. “But he had a good reason. When he texted me to tell me he’d been offered a contract by the New Jersey Storm, I understood. He’d been on the phone the whole trip, so I figured he was making some kind of deal. The Storm were in the playoffs, and they wanted him there right away. And I was happy about that for him, because he wasn’t sure he could do it, in his situation.” I explain briefly how the draft works and that he was older than most guys are when they enter the NHL.
“How was it seeing him again? Do you still have feelings for him?”
I don’t answer. I should say no, of course not. But I’d be lying. Again. “I guess I do. I’m just not sure what those feelings are.”
“You want to look after him. Like you look after everyone.”
I blink at her. “He’s my client. That’s what I do.”
She nods. “But do you also want to bang all your clients?”
I choke. “No!”
“You want to bang him.”
“Thanks for clarifying exactly how fucked I am.”
She laughs softly. “Sorry.”
“I need him as a client. He’s the first client I’ve signed on my own. Plus, it’ll be the biggest contract I’ve negotiated. It’ll be great for my reputation, as well as my bank account.”
“And…?”
I frown. “And what?”
She lifts one shoulder. “I feel like there’s more.”
“Oh.” I suck on my bottom lip briefly. “Okay, I guess there is. I feel like he needs me, too.” I pause. “He, uh, went through some stuff after the bus crash.” I can’t tell her Hunter’s story; that’s private. “Stuff he shared with me back in college. And I want to help him with this.”
She smiles. “Then do it.”
Sounds so easy. I just hope I can, without my feelings for him messing things up.
8
Kate
One of the many calls I make is to my dad. I need to talk business with him, but also talking to Hunter about Vern’s heart attack rattled me, because they’re about the same age and my dad’s not exactly one to look after himself.
I’m pretty sure the Aces aren’t going to be interested in Hunter, based on what I know about their roster situation, but it’s worth putting feelers out.
“Katy! How are you?”’
“I’m good! How are you?”
“Eh, doing okay. Busy.”
“Are you eating right?”
He chuckles. “Probably not.”
“Dad!” I huff a sigh.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ve been doing better.” He pauses. “I, uh, I’ve been seeing someone. She likes to eat healthy.”
I freeze like a snow sculpture in Winnipeg in February. “What?”
He’s seeing someone? Whoa! My dad’s been a widower for ten years. This is the first time I’ve heard him mention anyone, although if I’m being realistic, I’m sure he’s been with women.
“Her name is Jenelle. She’s really nice.”
I don’t know how to handle this. But it’s Dad and I want him to be happy. “That’s so great, Dad. Is this…serious?”
He pauses. “Maybe. Yeah.”
Oh wow. “She must be fantastic.”
“Yeah. She kind of is.” The happiness in his voice relaxes me. “You can meet her some time and see for yourself.”
“Okay. Sure. So…she’s making you eat healthy?”
He laughs. “Yeah, as much as she can.”
“Have you been to the doctor for a checkup this year?”
“Yes.” I sense his eye roll.
“How was your cholesterol?”
After a beat, he says, “Why are you asking that?”
“Did you hear about Vern Tayhan?”
“Ohhhh. Yeah. That’s awful.”
“I’m worried about you. You’re the same age as him.”
“My cholesterol is fine.” His tone softens. “I’ve even been working out.”
“Oh.” I blink. “Okay, that’s good.” Surprising, but good. Is this more of Jenelle’s influence? Huh. “Does Ryan know about Jenelle?”
“No. I haven’t heard from him for a while.” Dad sounds disappointed. “I text him sometimes and all I get back is a couple of words.”
“Men,” I mutter.
We chat a bit more, then I say, “I need to talk business with you.”
“Sure.” He sounds curious.
“I have a new client. Hunter Morrissette.”
“That’s great, Katy! Another client! He’s a good player.”
“Yes. He was one of Vern’s clients, and he’s a UFA this year, so he needed a new agent.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“So I’m talking to you…agent to GM…about whether you have any interest in him.”