about your boundaries.”
“Oh,” I say again. I don’t have to think hard to know what he’s talking about—performing a marriage ceremony for one player, bailing another out of jail, dressing in a bear costume. Falling in love. Eeep. “I know it doesn’t look great, but…Hunter and I have a history. We knew each other in college.”
He sighs. “There are a lot of things stacked against a woman in this business. Sleeping with a client doesn’t help.”
Ah. That’s what the issue is.
“It’s more than that,” I protest, although with a knot in my gut I know he’s right. “I care a lot about Hunter.” I swallow again. “I’ve worked hard to build my reputation and my business, after a rocky start. And…it’s hard enough to do this job as a woman, without feeling I don’t have the support of my own father.”
“Ah, hell. You do have my support, Katy. You know I put in a good word with Van.”
“More than one good word,” I mutter. “I figured that. But was it because you thought I couldn’t seal the deal on my own?”
“No!” His frown is fierce. “That’s not it at all! It’s because I know you’ll be a great agent for him.”
I study his face. “Really?”
“Really. I can tell his family how great you are until I’m blue in the face, but in the end you’re the one who has to convince them you’re the right agent for him. And you did.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“It’s a hard business. Being an agent can be…tough. It’s always been a man’s business.”
“Dad.” I give him a reproving look. “You did not just say that.”
“I know you’re not the only woman agent, but men are assholes and they can make it difficult for you.”
“They did make it difficult for me. At Pinnacle. When I left, they weren’t happy that I took some clients with me, and they didn’t have great things to say about me because of that. I didn’t do anything wrong, but they were pissed. But I survived and I’m doing okay.”
“Sometimes I worry about you getting hurt.”
“Why would I get hurt?”
“Sometimes when we give a lot of ourselves, we expect the same in return. But we don’t always get that. Not everyone is as honest and trustworthy as you are.”
I narrow my eyes. “Are you talking about Hunter?”
He holds up a hand. “No. I told you, I like him.”
“I know what you’re saying, Dad. I saw that at Pinnacle. The things they did weren’t always…ethical. Which was part of the reason I left. I wanted to represent my clients differently.”
“I worried that the way you conduct your business might not be…respected.”
“Again, are you talking about Hunter?”
“Again no. But having him as a client and a…boyfriend…could be complicated.”
It already has been. But I don’t say that to Dad. I don’t want him to worry more than he already is. “We know that. And I know you always thought I was too player focused. But I think I am respected in the business.”
He smiles. “You are. I hear that from people all the time.”
“Oh.” All the air leaves my lungs. “Really?”
“Yeah. I’m proud of you, Katy.”
I didn’t know how much I wanted to hear that. My throat squeezes. “Thanks, Dad.”
Dad clears his throat. “Okay. How’s Vern doing?”
“Last I heard, he was getting better. We don’t know if he’ll work again.”
Dad shakes his head. “That would be tough.”
“Do you think you’ll ever retire?”
“Whoa. Why do you ask that? I’m still young.”
“I know. But hockey and the team are your life. Or maybe not…now you have Jenelle and her kids. I just wondered if you thought about life after hockey.”
“I haven’t,” he says slowly. “But I guess having a plan B is always a good idea.”
“Yeah.”
Dad shoots me a wry smile. “You’re still looking after us.”
I smile black. “Of course. I love you.”
“Love you, too, Katy. And I am so, so proud of you.”
My heart expands and I pull in a shaky breath. “Thanks, Dad.”
I go up to bed and join Hunter. I close the door of the spare room, hoping Dad won’t look in there and find it empty.
“This is much better,” I murmur, sliding under the covers next to Hunter’s body which produces heat like a blast furnace. I love this, since I’m always cold. My feet are aching, so I push them between Hunter’s calves.
He jerks away. “What the fuck…”
“Sorry. My feet are cold and you don’t like it when I wear socks to bed.”
He sighs. “Go ahead.”
I wiggle my feet between his legs. “I’m