Only One Touch (Only One #4) - Natasha Madison Page 0,26
I look at him. “I’ve told him that since he was young.”
“Look, I can’t promise you that it’ll come in six months or one year,” I say. “Let’s be real. When you’re drafted, it’s to a team at the bottom of the barrel. Usually, the team is rebuilding. You aren’t going to be starting with the Stanley Cup champions.”
“That is what I told him,” Matthew says. “It’s going to be rough.”
“You are going to be with a team that will probably be shit on day in and day out. It’s going to be a learning curve, especially for you since you’re at the top of the league right now. It’s like when you graduate from middle school. You are the cool kid at the back of the bus, and then you start high school, and you’re in the front of the bus again while the cool kids sit in the back. We all know that sucks. But what I can promise you is that I’m going to work as hard as you do. I’m going to get those meetings for you.” I lean back in the chair. “Your father knows I have the contacts. He also knows how I work.”
“She’s good,” he says to Cooper, who looks over at him.
“But,” I say, “if you sign with me.” I look at both of them. “I only give you two passes.”
“What does that mean?” Cooper asks, sitting back.
“It means you can fuck up twice,” I say. “You shouldn’t fuck up at all. But you’re young, and well …”
“She’s talking about the girls,” Matthew says.
“Not just the girls. The partying, the travel, the fame. NHL is another level. It’s like a rock star going from playing small venues to selling out stadiums. Shit will be thrown at you.” The kid is going to be thrown in the lion's den no matter what family they come from. It’s like taking a kid to Disney for the first time. The lights, the people, the attractions. You want to run in every single direction.
“Shit you should stay away from,” Matthew cuts in. “Don’t follow in my shoes.” I don’t know the full details of what happened, but he came out swinging and slowly dwindled.
“You get two passes, and on the third one, I walk away,” I say.
“Just like that?” he asks, shocked at my bluntness.
“Just like that.” I sit up, putting my hands on the table. “I can’t stand by if you aren’t going to be the one fighting for you.”
“I want to be the best,” he finally says. “I know my grandfather is the leader on every single record. I know so is my dad. But I want to be better. I want to be the one kids want to be like.”
“Then let me help you,” I say. “It’d be an honor to be by your side.”
“I want it,” Cooper says, looking at his dad. “What do you think?”
“I’m not going to decide for you, son,” Matthew says. “This is all you. You worked hard to be where you are. You did all this on your own.” Cooper nods his head. “Now if you’re asking my opinion.” He looks at me when he talks. “If you want the best, she’s the best. There is no mistake about it. You can ask your uncles.” I laugh.
“He is on the top of the list,” I say of Justin, who is looking for a new agent. I don’t tell them that I’m meeting with him tomorrow afternoon, and if that all works out, I’ll be signing him and Evan also.
“I’ve had a chance to work with her. She’s made me say not very nice things to her,” Matthew admits, and I laugh.
“I’m shocked.” I wink at Cooper. “Not really,” I whisper. “It makes me feel even better when they go toe-to-toe with me because I usually win.” Cooper smiles and looks down. “Listen, no one is going to put pressure on you. Take the night, take the weekend. Talk to your father, your uncles.” I start to get up. “Listen to your gut, Cooper.” He nods at me. “Your father has my number.”
Matthew nods at me a silent thank you for not beating down his throat for an answer. I grab my jacket and put it on. “I’m here until Sunday.” I grab my purse.
“Let me walk you out,” Matthew says, leading me down the hallway.
“Thank you,” he says quietly, and I look at him. “For telling him the truth.” I just look at him.