Page 73 of Game Changer
“I’ve gotta go,” he said weakly.
“I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
* * *
Scott arrived at the restaurant early and ordered a coffee. He was meeting his agent for lunch, and coffee was important.
He liked Todd Wheeler—he wouldn’t let him represent him if he didn’t—but he truly hated talking about contracts and endorsements. He knew he was lucky to have so many opportunities to make so much money, but it wasn’t why he played hockey.
Todd arrived just as Scott was draining the last of the French press the server had brought him. “So that was some shit with Zullo, huh?” he said, almost as soon as he’d sat down.
“Yeah.” Scott nodded. “You could say that.”
“It’s over now, though. That’s gotta feel good, right? I know you hated that guy.”
“Hateis a strong word,” Scott said. “A strong, accurate word.”
Todd laughed. “And Matti Jalo’s an Admiral now! Looks like a cup-winning team to me!”
“Absolutely,” Scott agreed. “Jalo is going to be a huge asset.”
“Huge is right. Jalo is a fucking monster. Good-looking too. New York is gonna love that guy.”
“I hope so.”
“Hopefully not too much, though! We’ve gotta make sure you’re still number one in this town.”
“Sure.”
The server came and took their orders. Todd ordered a spinach salad without looking at the menu. Scott ordered a club sandwich, and then Todd abruptly said, “You know what? Fuck it. I’ll get the club too.”
After the server left, Todd said, “You bringing anyone to that Equinox Gala?”
“Why? You wanna be my date?”
“No, fuck you. I just thought you might be seeing someone. I’mprayingevery night that you’ll start dating some actress. Maybe a model. Something that gets you in the papers, y’know?”
Scott grimaced. He definitelywouldbe “in the papers” if anyone found out who he was dating. But probably not in the way his agent was hoping for. “Sorry to disappoint you.”
“I could find you a date, if you want,” Todd mused. “A New York–based ingénue who wants to boost her profile...”
“No thanks, Todd.”
Todd shook his head. “I don’t understand you, Scott. You look likethat—” he waved his hands to indicate Scott’s entire body “—and you don’t seem to be sharing it with anyone. Man, if I looked like you...”
Scott snorted. Todd had been an athlete, once, but the years away from competition had given him a bit of a gut. He was far from unattractive, though.
“I should have gotten the damn salad,” Todd muttered to himself. “Not all of us are burning a million calories a day.”
“You look fine,” Scott assured him.
“We’re not talking about me, Scott. We’re talking about you and why you’re not dating the gorgeous women of New York.”
“I’m busy,” Scott mumbled.
“We’reallbusy! I’ve got a wife and three kids and fourteen clients!”
“Why are we talking about this?”
