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“I know,” Paul says. He walks over and places a hand on my shoulder. “Let’s call your attorney today and see what she says.” I don’t immediately look up. I just nod and clasp my hands together, squeezing hard. Brady and Paul leave us and shut the door. I sit up and fall back against the couch and cover my face with my hands. How is this my damn life?
I sit up and refocus on Davey. He is leaning against his desk with his long legs crossed. He looks relieved now. But his eyes are on my hands.
“How long has that been going on?”
I don’t even hesitate. “Ever since Mom died.”
He nods, but says nothing more about it. “Just so you know, if you wanted a trade, Chicago would not be on the table as an option,” he winks at me and I flip him off, grateful for the small moment of levity.
He walks over and places a hand on my shoulder, and I exhale. “We’re not letting you go, TJ.”
I nod and Madison comes over sheepishly, concerned about another outburst from me. I reach for her ears and feel my heart rate dip another notch. Maybe I really do need a dog.
“Stay as long as you need to,” Davey steps out of his office, leaving me with the sweet redhead, who promptly takes her position on the couch, her head in my lap, tail thumping.
“Sweetheart, I need to make a phone call and there may be shouting involved.”
Thump, thump, thump.
Not ready to leave. I am feeling calm and actually amused that my father thought he could orchestrate a trade without my knowledge. Things like that happen, but not with a player of my caliber. Not with players who have been with the same team their entire career. Not with players who step out onto the ice with the A on their jersey.
I have a hard time imagining Brady or Davey or anyone in this organization making a trade without the player involved. We are a family here. We share everything.
I pull out my phone, place one hand on Madison’s ears, and wait for my dad to answer.
“Nice try, Dad, but it didn’t work.”
“I am only looking out for your best interest, which is more than you are doing,” he hisses.
I stroke Madison’s ears again. Her warm brown eyes gaze up at me. My hands are steady. My voice calm.
“Do you know how many endorsements just hanging around with those people can cost you?”
And there it is…. the money.
“Wow, that took less than sixty seconds to get to the money. Those people are my friends.” I refrain from saying lovers. Refrain from saying the best friends I’ve ever had. But part of me wants to throw it in his face. Best sex of my life, dad. What would he do if I told him that? Right now he thinks it’s rumors. He hopes it’s rumors. He might have a heart attack if I tell him the truth. Definitely blow a gasket. I stroke Madison’s ears some more. My dad’s voice still reverberating through the phone. I’m not listening to any of the words. I’m surprised at how calm I am. Looking at this sweet dog. Knowing it is out there in the world. My friendship with Nandy and Fynn.
Thump, thump, thump.
I don’t care what people want to make of it. I know what it is. I know the truth. So do they. And any endorsement deal I lose because of this, well, that isn’t a deal I want.
“Where’s Rowan dad, I want to talk to him.”
That shuts him up. And he takes too long to answer. My hand freezes along Madison’s belly, and I sit up straighter on the couch.
“Uh, he took his mom out for ice cream.”
The hesitation was odd. That he is not with them, also odd. But his focus on my contract, meddling with my life, I can see that being his priority.
“She must be having a good day,” I say.
“Yes, but she was also upset by all of this, too.”
I’m not buying that for a second. Something is up. Maybe she is having a good day. She’s nearing the end and we all know it. But a good enough day for ice cream is great news.
“Why aren’t you with them?” I ask.
“You have to ask? I’ve been busy trying to keep you from ruining our lives.”
