Page 18 of For the Boys
@LexieMonroe:Why?
@Brent22Jean:Why what?
@LexieMonroe:Why do you want to do this? What do you have to gain? You don’t even know Berk.
@Brent22Jean:You’re right, I don’t know her. But I’d love the chance to change that. This seems like a good place to start.
@LexieMonroe:You think throwing her a surprise party is really the way to go?
@Brent22Jean:I think girls like to feel special. What better way to do that than throw a giant party for her?
@LexieMonroe:And I repeat…You don’t even know Berk.
@Brent22Jean:I know she’ll love this. Trust me.
@LexieMonroe:Give me a minute. I need to think it over and discuss it with our friends.
@Brent22Jean:Of course. Take all the time you need.
Brent didn’t hear back from Lexie until the following week. Lucky for him, he had very little time to stress over it.
The beginning of the hockey season was always busy. Getting back into the swing of a game routine, no matter how many times he did it, took some adjustments. The franchise also required him to participate in a lot of press-centric activities, thanks to his status as alternate captain. Those kinds of events he generally hated.
But charity events were one part of being a professional athlete—and public figure—that Brent actually did enjoy. These events included visiting sick children in the hospital, attending fundraisers for cancer research, and hosting animal adoption events.
Today he was participating in an adoption event for one of the local animal shelters. Brent and a few of his teammates set up shop under a tent on the edge of the Grand Circus Dog Park. The event itself was pretty straightforward. They would sign autographs, take photos with people who adopted animals, and auction off some memorabilia. All proceeds from the auction items would go to the animal shelter. The Warriors organization was also covering the fees for any dog adopted that day.
Brent loved animals. Growing up, his family had always had dogs. He missed having a pet, but his lifestyle wasn’t exactly conducive to keeping an animal alive and entertained. Maybe one day, when he finally had a family of his own, he’d have one again.
A little blond boy approached the table, a woman Brent could only assume was his mother trailing after him. The boy couldn’t have been more than five, with chubby cheeks tinged red from the cold. He was wearing a miniature version of Brent’s jersey and had a Warriors beanie on his head.
“Go on, honey,” his mom said, pushing him forward. “Ask him.”
“Hi, Mr. Jean,” the little boy said, his voice high and clear.
Brent came around the table and knelt in front of him. “Hello. What’s your name?”
“Brayden.”
“Nice to meet you, Brayden. What can I do for you?”
Brayden looked up at Brent, his big blue eyes shining with excitement. “Would you please sign my jersey?”
Brent reached across the table behind him and grabbed a Sharpie. “I sure can, buddy. What would you like it to say?”
Brayden brought his tiny hand up to his mouth and tapped his lips in a gesture that made him look much older than he was. His mother smiled down at him. “Will you write ‘To my friend Brayden’ and sign your name?”
Brent’s lips curved upward. “Absolutely! Turn around.”
The little boy dutifully obeyed, turning to present Brent with the back of his jersey. Right next to the block letters spelling JEAN at the top, Brent wrote out his message. When he finished, he tapped Brayden on the shoulder. “All done!”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Jean!” Brayden turned to his mom and grabbed her hand. Brent stood up and stuck his hand out.
“Brent Jean.”
“Leslie,” she said, grasping his hand with her own, seeming a bit starstruck.
“Are you and Brayden here to adopt a dog?”
