Page 105 of The New Guy
That will be my happy thought, he says.That and everything that happens AFTER dinner…
And now it’s my happy thought, too.
THIRTY-SIX
Hudson
We clinchthe first round with game five. I haven’t scored in the playoffs yet, but I’ve got three assists.
Plus I have the satisfaction of knowing that Gavin and his family are jumping up and down for me when the buzzer sounds.
Not that I’ve seen much of him. But it’s fine. I’m a patient man. And it’s time to turn our attention to defeating Carolina.
Our first two games are at home again, which helps. I’m just heading into headquarters when my phone plays “Under My Thumb.”
My father has been thrilled with my performance, so it’s more fun than usual to answer his calls. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hudson!” My father’s voice is as enthusiastic as I’ve ever heard it. “How’stheman?”
Huh. I guess I’mthe mannow. “I’m good. Feeling rested. Morale around here is pretty high.”
“Good, good!”
It’s weird, but I’ve been waiting my whole life for my father to sound as fired up talking to me as he sounds when he’s on the phone with his biggest clients. And it suddenly doesn’t matter so much anymore. “Is this a social call, or business? I’m on my way to a video meeting.”
“Ah. Well. I just needed to run something by you. I got a funny call about you this morning.”
“Uh,funny?What does that mean? Who called you?”
My father seems to choose his words carefully. “The GM from Colorado called, and he asked me how you're liking Brooklyn.”
“God, why? As if they care.”
“That's the thing,” my father says slowly. “It sounded like they do. Maybe they regret letting you go.”
I snort. “Sure they do, now that I’m killing it in the playoffs. They might have a short memory, but I don’t. That team wanted nothing to do with me.”
“There’s a new sheriff in town, you realize.”
He’s referring to Powers, the newly promoted coach. “Like that makes any difference.”
“Doesn’t it? Apparently he’s been watching you all season. They said that if you weren’t sure about Brooklyn, that you shouldn’t be hasty to sign anything with them. Sounds like Colorado assumes we’ll push for an early renewal. And he’s trying to tell us he’s interested.”
“Not happening.”
“But hear me out a second,” he says. “There’s no rule that says we need to bring Brooklyn to the bargaining table early. Now that there’s two teams who want you, it pays to wait out the last year of your contract. Your value could double if there’s more demand.”
“Dad, no,” I say emphatically. “You’re assuming that money matters to me. It doesn’t. I want security.”
He’s quiet for a moment. “The thing is? Brooklyn has a bunch of guys up for renewal this year—guys who’ve been around longer than you. Right now you’re in line behind them. Next summer you’ll be the main course. I think we should wait.”
Everything inside me deflates. “That isn’t the tune you were singing before.”
“I’ve been doing some more research.”
“Since when?” I demand. “I thought the plan was a new contract this summer.”
“Plans change.”
