Page 55 of Say It Isn't Snow
“It’s an honor, sir.” I shake his hand, trying—and failing—not to let my inner fanboy out.
Micah chuckles, elbowing Trevon. “Sir. I like this kid already.”
“Let’s get started, shall we?” Sonia suggests.
“It’s good to see you again,” I say, taking the seat next to Trevon across from her and her brother. Micah leans against the wall with a cheerful smile.
“First, allow me to reintroduce myself.” Sonia holds out a hand to shake. “I’m Sonia Holloway, and this is my brother Reid. We’re launching a hockey team based in Mayfield, Massachusetts. You’ve met our head coach, Micah.”
My brows shoot up. Trevon has no idea the gift he’s given me.
“Mayfield,” I repeat.
She nods. “The Mayfield Mavericks will enter the league next season. When we saw you were available, we knew we had to have you for our roster. I’ve followed you and your brother’s records closely.”
I glance at Trevon. He senses where my head’s at after working together for so long and jumps in.
“While the circumstances of Mr. Adler’s contract with his previous team ending have been embellished and splashed across media outlets, I want to assure you that it was not a reflection of his conduct, professionally or privately,” Trevon says.
His way of wording my dismissal from the team over a difference in morality for the sake of money certainly sounds nicer than the way I’d put it.
“I knew that right away,” Sonia says.
“Really?” I sit up straighter.
She nods. “The last time we met, you were in attendance at the fundraising event I organized supporting a hockey night out with patients from a children’s hospital. You met with all the children, making sure none were left out, then stayed after to help the staff clean up. You didn’t have to do that.”
I shrug. “That’s the kind of guy I am.”
She gives me a sharp, satisfied smirk. “I know. Which is why I haven’t believed a word of those articles online. For the record,our PR team tells me fan sentiment is on your side and calling for your teammate to be suspended in light of the eyewitness accounts shared from that night.”
Chet would deserve it. I push him from my mind.
Compared to the two previous teams I’ve been with, I like the energy the three of them bring to the table. It’s professional, yet there’s an underlying air that’s down to earth. It sets me at ease, believing I’m not dealing with people who are only thinking about money.
“This is the offer we’ve prepared for you.” Reid slides a tablet across the table to Trevon.
He puts on a pair of reading glasses and holds it so we both can see. It takes all of my composure to keep my face blank reading the eight figure number. It’s triple what I was worth as a player when Seattle signed me.
I was already in, no matter how this meeting went down. It’s a hell of a bonus to see a number like that offered for me. I’m ready to ink this deal now, but I wait for my agent to do his thing.
“We believe strongly in the roster we’re building and want to make competitive moves to ensure our players feel our sincerity when we say we want to take care of them,” Sonia says.
Trevon nods slowly, tapping the four year term length. “Give us five years with a renewal clause for an extension. And add in a no-trade clause.”
Reid whispers with Sonia, then nods. “Done.”
Trevon looks at me, catching the eager look I’m failing to hold back. He smirks and hands the tablet back.
“I think we’re good to go. Send the contract to my office for a full review.”
I shake hands with my future team owners and coach. “Thank you.”
“Welcome to the Mavs,” Micah says.
“Who else is on the roster so far?” I ask.
“We have one other player officially signed,” Reid explains. “He’s stopping in shortly to finalize everything.”
