Page 43 of Hot Stuff
“I, I, I,” Cantrell sputters.
“It’s because I’m worried about you,” Kristina says. “I asked Jerry to meet with me so we can do something to help you.”
I laugh. I can’t help it. This bullshit just keeps getting deeper.
Pulling in a breath I lean forward. “You and I both know that’s a lie and so does he.” I hook my thumb in Cantrell’s direction.
“It’s no?—”
“Zip it. I’m speaking and you’re listening. You will not contact me ever again. You will remove any evidence that we even know each other and that includes changing your fucking mailing address back to your own. And you!” I stab a finger in Cantrell’s direction. “You will get up from here and head straight to the Knights head office and get my contract terminated the way it should be. The way I deserve it to be.”
“Excuse me.” Mrs. Cantrell places her hand on my arm. “What’s this about your contract?”
I glance at her, then at Rafe. “I had a meeting with your husband yesterday about it.”
“And I wasn’t informed? Were you, Rafe?”
“Yes. But not until after because I was with Bryson in the ER getting his broken arm set.”
“You told me about Bryson but didn’t mention anything about the meeting. Are you aware of what Walker is talking about?”
“I am. But obviously I’m missing some details. Care to elaborate, Jer?”
Cantrell visibly bristles at the shortening of his name. Or maybe it’s the way Rafe says it, with loathing clearly coating it.
Sitting up straight, I watch the daggers arrow across the table. For a few seconds I wait. But when no one speaks, and let’s be real, it should be Cantrell who speaks, I decide to provide the details.
But not before I remove us from the very public place we’re currently in. “Rafe, Mrs. Cantrell, if you’d please come with me to finish this conversation in private.”
“You’re not going anywhere!” Cantrell’s hand slams down on his wife’s shoulder.
I’m so shocked, I can’t speak.
Not so Rafe. Through clenched teeth he growls, “Get your fucking hand off her or I’ll remove it.”
Cantrell immediately removes his hand, he even cradles it under his opposite arm. Does he think Rafe is going to launch across the table and cut it off with his butter knife?
Mrs. Cantrell rises from her seat. “If you’ll follow me, Walker. Rafe.”
To my surprise we leave the other two at the table. I glance back once to see Kristina leaning toward Cantrell frantically talking and gesturing.
“I’ll have my car brought around. We can talk there in privacy.”
“Okay.” I look at Rafe. “How’s your son?”
“Plastered to the elbow and unable to play hockey for six weeks but otherwise he’s fine.”
“On ice accident?” I ask.
“No. Locker room, after the game. A few of them were goofing off and three ended up with broken bones.” Rafe rolls his eyes heavenward. “I swear, the boy and his friends will be the death of me.”
“I’m sure he won’t. He’s the best part of your life, Rafe, and you love his boisterous ways.” Mrs. Cantrell points to a large black SUV pulling up. “This is us.”
Rafe opens the door and says with a grin, “Yes, he is, and I do.”
I follow them both inside and don’t wait for the vehicle to pull away before I’m replaying yesterday’s meeting.
“My agent and I had a meeting with Mr. Cantrell yesterday to inform the team that as a result of the injuries I sustained while playing, I’m unable to play any longer and am retiring. He assured us we could make my retirement announcement only for us to discover today that if I do, the Knights org will be able to sue me for breach of contract.”
