Talk Hockey to Me (Bears Hockey #3) - Kelly Jamieson Page 0,57

and walk to Navy Pier. The lake is blindingly blue in the afternoon sun, stretching out to the horizon. “I love Lake Michigan,” I tell Hunter, my arm tucked into his as we walk.

“Yeah, it’s great.”

“Have you been to Navy Pier?”

“Once, a couple of years ago. We had a bit of time off on a road trip so a few of us came here.”

We find the restaurant where I’m meeting Van and stop outside. “I’ll text you when we’re done, okay?”

“Great. Good luck.” He kisses my forehead and smiles into my eyes in a way that makes me feel like I can do anything.

I can do this.

I head inside and look around for Van. Not seeing him, I tell the hostess about our reservation and she seats me at a table for two. I face the entrance so I can see Van when he arrives and pull out my phone to catch up on emails while I wait.

Van grew up here in Chicago and he’s staying with his family for the summer after a year at Princeton. He’s been a huge Chicago Aces fan all his life, and when he was about fourteen, he won a chance to skate with the Aces. He met my dad and a bunch of the players. Marc Dupuis was the captain at the time, and he and my dad became mentors to Van, recognizing his talent and helping him figure out his path to the NHL. Dad got to be friends with Van’s parents. I’m extremely grateful for the “in” I have because of Dad and the team, but I also know I have to earn this client.

Van is fifteen minutes late by the time he shows up. I’m not his agent yet, so I don’t lecture him about punctuality. He’s not even an NHL star yet. Some players operate on their own schedule, knowing that everyone will wait for them and let them get away with it, but I try to make sure my guys have respect for people.

I stand up to greet him with a handshake and a big smile. “Hi! Good to see you, Van.”

“You too.” He’s wearing jeans, a sweatshirt and a ballcap, which he takes off and sets on the table, then pushes his hair back from his face. He sits across from me.

God, he’s young. He’s a baby.

Okay, I’m not that old. It wasn’t that long ago I was eighteen. But imagining this fresh-faced young man playing in the NHL—oh my God. He still has acne and I’m not sure if he even shaves.

But he’s hella talented.

He’s been considered the top prospect in this year’s draft for a long time now. He was NHL Central Scouting's top-ranked North American Skater during the midterm rankings and finished in the top spot for the final rankings as well. Pretty much every NHL draft publication or website has put Van at the top. He has high-end puck skills and the vision to create plays. He competes every time he's on the ice, and pressure situations actually elevate his game.

I’d fucking love to sign this dude as a client.

“So what are you doing this summer?” I ask once we’ve ordered.

“Mostly working out. I’m training with Greg Stewart.”

“Good, good. He’s one of the best. You’ll be in amazing shape for training camp.”

“Gotta get drafted first.”

I smile. I like this hint of humility. It’s not a done deal, even though he’s considered the top prospect. “Yes. First things first. You’re ready for the combine?”

He nods.

“You know what’s involved?” I ask. The annual NHL Entry Draft combine assessment involves four days of interviews, medical screenings, and fitness tests.

“Yeah. I’ve talked to some of the guys I’m training with.”

“The combine can be the most physically and mentally exhausting thing in your whole season. And it’s your last chance to make an impression on scouts and executives from every team. Both in the physical testing and in the interviews.”

“It’s the interviews I’m worried about,” he admits.

“We can do some coaching on that ahead of it.”

“You mean, if I sign with you.”

I smile. “Yeah. We’ve already talked about my background. I’ve given you my list of current clients, although I recently signed a new client—Hunter Morrissette.”

“I heard that.”

“I hope you’ll contact them.”

“Have you ever had a client leave you?” he asks.

“No. I have not.”

Van asks me questions about my fee structure, how and when I get paid, the duration of our agreement and how to terminate. I suspect he’s been coached on these questions to ask, but I