Page 52 of Hot Shot
“Say hello to your dad for me. And give me a heads up before you leave Canada. Does Nat know what your movements are?”
“For an agent to some players, you’re sounding awfully invested in the Rogues management.”
“I’ve got my top client signed on as head coach, the guy who you’ve all referred to as your Hot Shot is my new client, Nat mentioned a wonder kid she wants me to look at?—”
“Since when are you and Nat buddy-buddy?”
“Since I helped defuse the Cantrell disaster.”
“From what I hear, the Cantrell disaster isn’t over yet and only getting bigger.”
“Yeah.” Drake’s sigh comes through loud and clear, makes me curious to know what they’re talking about. “Laken held another press conference yesterday. Once again, she stressed Jerry does not own, nor is he involved in any way with the Knights org. According to her, he doesn’t even have season tickets.”
“Good for her. Although I assume Jerry’s still throwing his weight around like hedoesown the place if she’s holding yet another conference.”
“Yes, unfortunately.”
“I would have thought he’d lay low after the Kristina debacle. Surely her illegal activities and charges make him cautious.”
“You wouldn’t be alone in thinking that, but this is Jerry. He’s always had an overinflated opinion of himself.”
“He has. I’m glad Laken has decided to put him in his place.”
“I don’t think she had a choice. It was either that or have the NHL hand out fines, and there was talk of a points penalty, deducting them from the team, which would drop them out of playoff contention.”
“Oh. Harsh.”
“Jerry leaked information on the Rogues franchise, info he shouldn’t have had. The NHL had to do something about it.”
“I get that. But what can they do now? Jerry isn’t associated with the Knights other than being married to the owner and the son of the previous owner.”
“Wait. Jerry is Gerald Junior?” I interrupt, my brain finally connecting the dots and working out who they’re talking about.
“Yes, the pompous ass decided after his father died that he didn’t need to be a junior anymore. Made everyone call him Jerry or Mr. Cantrell,” Blake explains. “I’ll tell you the rest later but the short of it is Gerald Senior left the team to Laken, not Jerry.”
I glance at Blake before returning my eyes to the road. “Wow, that must have chapped Junior’s ass.”
“Apparently he didn’t know about it until a few weeks ago. Right around?—”
“I’d love to keep chatting with the two of you, but I’ve got a call I need to make,” Drake interrupts. “Speaking of calls, I’ll be waiting for yours, Branton. Talk later, Blake.”
“Okay. I’ll let you know when we head home.”
“Thanks. Bye.”
We’re quiet for a few moments after Drake hangs up. It gives me time to think about his call. The fact Blake wasn’t surprised to get it.
“Did you tell him about me?”
“No. Nat did. Or Oakley. I can’t remember. We’ve spoken to him about a couple of his current clients. He’s joked about becoming the Rogues in-house agent because he reps more than a few of the players we’re looking at.”
“And you want me with him too?”
“No. I want you with someone I trust. Someone that won’t dump you when shit hits the fan.”
“In all fairness, Mal didn’t really have a choice. I’m sure if I called him, he’d take me on again.”
“No. Not happening. I told you when you signed with him, he wasn’t the best fit and he proved that when he didn’t look out for you when everything happened.”
