wanted to move from the Glaciers, and money had zero influence over him. Some agents wouldn’t have stuck with him after that, and he’d always been grateful that Patrick had. Loyalty was another bond of family, even extended family.
“I need to do something else with my life,” he tried to explain. “Something I’ve ignored for too long. Hockey has never been my first love and—” he inhaled, absorbing the truth one more time, “—it’s time I let it go. I won’t abandon the team mid-season, but I have other things I need to do once this season is done.”
“Like what?” Patrick demanded, frustration sharpening his voice. “You’re giving me nothing here. Do you know what kind of fallout there’ll be? You can’t walk out on a contract for no reason without consequences. Financial and personal.”
“I’m aware of that, and you know money has never been a factor for me.” He had his parents to thank for that. His father and mother definitely weren’t perfect but they’d given him the luxury of wealth and the relief from the financial burdens that limited most people. Their own version of love. He saw that now. Understood it even.
“Jesus Christ, Roller. You’re killing me.”
“I’m sorry about that.” He really was. It wasn’t his intention to hurt anyone, yet he wasn’t going to stay in hockey to make other people happy. “I’m going to talk to Benning and Coach O tomorrow after practice. I know it’s short notice, so I can conference you in if you can’t be here in person. It’ll be easier if I can explain everything once.”
A string of low curses followed, which made Henrik smile even more. Not about angering the man, but for himself and standing strong on what he wanted. This was going to happen his way.
Patrick agreed to fly in for the meeting and said he’d arrange it with the necessary people. “At your expense, of course.”
“Of course.” Henrik was just happy to have that part of the process handled.
His next call was to Vanessa. His expectations were undefined on how she’d take the news.
“Henrik,” she answered smooth and clear. “Your social media hits are through the roof after last night’s fight. Nice move on revenging Rylie, but I’m sure Coach O wasn’t so pleased.”
He couldn’t stop the quiet laugh that spilled out. “Not very.” The seventeen minutes he’d spent in the box for the minor, major and misconduct penalties had left Coach O beyond pissed off.
“So what can I do for you on this day off?”
Her subtle hint wasn’t missed and he normally wouldn’t bother his agent or her on what most people outside of retail considered a holiday. “I just told my agent I’ll be retiring at the end of this season. He’s arranging a meeting tomorrow with the Glaciers to work out the details and contract issues.” He paused a beat for a reaction but got none. “I’d like you to be at the meeting too.”
There was a long silence. “What’s going on?”
The lack of judgment or opinion in her question brought his smile back. “It’s time to do something else with my life.”
“Like what?”
He debated dodging the question like he’d done with Patrick, but he was counting on her to put a positive spin on his next move. She needed the details to do that.
“Hockey’s been good to me. It’s something I was good at and it’s taken me a long way. But I don’t breathe and live it like most of the guys, and it’s time I do what I really love.” He took a deep breath and plowed on, purposely keeping Jacqui and her illness out of it. “I’m a classically trained pianist. Music is where my heart is, and I need to give it the attention it deserves.”
“So you’re leaving hockey to play music?” Again, there was no judgment it her tone.
“Yes.” Damn it felt good to say that. His chest expanded with pride. “I want to play again and...” He debated the next bit then threw it in, hoping she’d understand. “I found someone I want to build a family with. I don’t want to be committed to a demanding sport with a grueling schedule for eight to ten months of the year. I want to be home at night and wake up next to her in the morning. Every morning. I’m thinking you’ll understand that.”
He tracked the cars moving in and out of the parking lot below. Even if she didn’t understand, he was paying her to spin it