Page 29 of Stick With Me
Don’t be just her friend.
Off the plane and into the fire?The fire being my agent’s office. I can’t keep blowing him off. Since our text exchange when I landed in Florida, he’s called and texted me several times, all of which I’ve ignored. I didn’t want to risk ruining the weekend, not knowing if the news would be good or bad. But my avoidance can only last so long, so instead of heading home to my apartment, I take the rideshare straight to his office.
My contract is up at the end of the season, which is quickly approaching. I’m hoping he has some good news for me. The uncertainty of not knowing is getting to me.Will they re-sign me? Are they negotiating my salary? Are they trying to trade me in the offseason? Will I become a free agent again?Of all the possibilities, that’s the one I dread the most. I came into the NHL as a free agent, and I have no desire to go through that again. I thrive on routine and structure, so the uncertainty of it all doesn’t sit well with me.
“What do you have for me?” I ask, settling into the chair across from Mike Greenburg, the man I have to thank for my career thus far. Who knows if I’d even be playing professionally if he hadn’t believed in me when others wrote me off?
“You’d know if you returned any of my calls.” He shuffles papers around his desk.
“Yeah, sorry about that. But I’m here now, so what’s the deal?”
“As of now? There is no deal. The Saints’ general manager is dragging his feet on an offer. I need to know what you’re open to.”
What I’m open to?My heart feels like it’s going to beat straight out of my chest.No deal?They still have a month until the trade deadline—March 7th. The date is haunting me. “You think they’re waiting until after the trade deadline?”
“Honestly, probably. They might be looking to acquire a player and need to hold off on renegotiations until they figure out the salary cap. That’s my guess. But we need to be ready for all scenarios, and one of those is the possibility of you playing for a different team next season.”
That’s not something I want to consider. Logically, I know that’s always a possibility with this career, but with Hannah moving to Chicago, it’s the last thing I want to hear right now. It’s not like she’s moving here for me. If I leave, we’ll be right back where we started—in a long-distance friendship.
Over the years, Hannah has opened up about feeling boxed in by Knolls’ career. What if, by some miracle, she gives a proper relationship with me a chance? I don’t want to do the same thing he did. I know she’ll go along with what’s best for everyone else, even if it means sacrificing her own happiness. But I don’t want to be another person who makes her choose.
“So, what do you suggest we do? I don’t want to entertain other offers yet. You know how much I want to stay in Chicago, with the Saints.”
“All right. We’ll wait and see what happens with the trade deadline. Once we have all the information, we’ll figure out our next step. But answer your phone when I call, yeah?”
I stand, shake his hand, and head out of his office.
Dominic Fox:
I’m outside.
I spot Fox’s yellow Lamborghiniimmediately—it’s hard to miss. Getting into the passenger seat feels like a workout, having to squat just to slide in.
“Dude, this is the most impractical car. You’re taller than me. How the fuck is this comfortable to drive?”
“Not everything is about practicality, my friend. The chicks love this car.”
“Because you need a car to impress women? Your hockey status isn’t enough?”
“Don’t even need that. My tattoos and charming smile are enough to drop panties.” He shoots me said smile and winks. “So how was Florida? How’d it go with your girl?”
“She kissed me.”
“What’re we in third grade? Shekissed you, that’s it?”
“Oh, fuck off.”
He gives me a look, half amused, half serious. “Are you sure this chick is worth all the effort? Is she even into you?”
“I’m certain she’s worth it. She has some hang-ups, understandably, after being with Knolls. But I have a plan.”
“Of course you do,” he says with a chuckle, shaking his head.
I punch him in the arm to shut him up. “She’s moving here, and she’s staying with me.”
“Oh, the one-bed trope.” He nods.
“The what?”
