other three big chairs at LI are making you feel that way, it sucks for you, but they’re wrong. There’s a reason I brought this to you. I’m just surprised you have time.”
“What I’ve been doing at LI seems like busywork. More so this year than any others. I’ll make time to do this because I know you’re interested in what I have to say.”
“Always. Now. Tell me about this barcade Dallas designed . . .”
We ended up eating dinner, drinking more than we’d planned, laughing a bunch, arguing even more, and it was one of the best evenings I’d had in a long time. So after I got Zosia settled in the Lund corporate apartment, I hired a car service to take me home.
Fourteen
GABI
I wasn’t surprised to see Jax on Wednesday night; he usually watched Mimi’s skills class. Nor was I surprised when he hung around after the start of my 14U class. However, I was surprised when he approached me to come into his office and tasked Margene with supervising my girls’ practice. It had to be important if he expected me to take off my skates.
My stomach knotted at the thought of him finding out I was seeking other employment.
But how would he have heard that? Unless Wolf Sports North had contacted him for my references. Yet, that didn’t make sense since my interview wasn’t until Friday.
The other possibility? Nolan had spilled his guts. But again, I didn’t buy that scenario. I’d like to think he’d fire off a warning text if Jax was gunning for me.
Once I ditched my skates, I had no choice but to show up in my sock-clad feet for the meeting.
Jax’s door was open, but I knocked anyway.
“Hey. Come in and close the door.”
I forced myself not to blurt out apologies and explanations when he subjected me to that cool-eyed stare. Throat dry, I swallowed once and managed to get out, “What’s up?” without my voice wavering.
“Remember our conversation a few months back about my interest in playing hockey occasionally with other retired NHL players?”
“You got a line on making that happen?”
“Could be. A bunch of guys will be in town for the Hockey Legends exhibition prior to the Wild game tomorrow night.”
I frowned. “I hadn’t heard anything about that.”
“Exactly. It’s a surprise for fans. We’ll only play one period, divided into two, with a ten-minute break in between. Doesn’t add any additional time to the length of the event time for attendees, since there won’t be any of the pregame stuff before the Wild take the ice.”
“Bonus for fans, fun for you. Win-win. Congrats.”
Jax drummed his fingers on the desk as he studied me. “You’re wondering . . . what does this have to do with me?”
“You want me to referee? Since I did such a bang-up job when you and the Hammer went one-on-one?”
“No. I want you to play on my team for the exhibition.”
My entire body went still. “What?”
“Lemme backtrack. I’m captain for the Western Conference and Griz—Lucas Griswold—is the captain for the Eastern Conference, since the Wild are playing an Eastern Conference team. When Griz and I agreed to do this last week, it was only on the condition that we could pick our teammates. A total of twelve, including ourselves.”
I whistled. “Even with it only being one period, your lines will have to do ninety-second shifts.”
“Yeah. So while it’s a shortened game, it’ll still be as grueling for us. I picked my teammates based on their current level of fitness.” He flashed a sharklike grin. “Just because it’s for fun doesn’t mean I won’t school those fuckers on the other team.”
“Agreed. But where do I come in?”
He ran his hand through his hair. “I know it’s short notice, but Drakken has a conflict and can’t make it. Griz and I agreed that we didn’t have to share our teammate lists with each other. So today, not only did I get a call from Drakken that changed my lineup, but a source who shall remain anonymous let me know that Griz has a woman on his team.”
“While I should be flipping cartwheels that a woman is finally playing in an NHL exhibition game, that won’t be the case when I find out who it is, will it?”
Jax shook his head.
“Who?”
“Amelie SanSimeon-Wipf.”
Fuck me. “Seriously? Of all the fantastic women players Griz could’ve picked, he chose her?”
“I’m guessing it’s because they’re both Canadian. Griz also selected her brother, Gerard SanSimeon, for his team.”
I flopped in the chair. “So . .