“And…?”
I frown. “And what?”
She lifts one shoulder. “I feel like there’s more.”
“Oh.” I suck on my bottom lip briefly. “Okay, I guess there is. I feel like he needs me, too.” I pause. “He, uh, went through some stuff after the bus crash.” I can’t tell her Hunter’s story; that’s private. “Stuff he shared with me back in college. And I want to help him with this.”
She smiles. “Then do it.”
Sounds so easy. I just hope I can, without my feelings for him messing things up.
8
Kate
One of the many calls I make is to my dad. I need to talk business with him, but also talking to Hunter about Vern’s heart attack rattled me, because they’re about the same age and my dad’s not exactly one to look after himself.
I’m pretty sure the Aces aren’t going to be interested in Hunter, based on what I know about their roster situation, but it’s worth putting feelers out.
“Katy! How are you?”’
“I’m good! How are you?”
“Eh, doing okay. Busy.”
“Are you eating right?”
He chuckles. “Probably not.”
“Dad!” I huff a sigh.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ve been doing better.” He pauses. “I, uh, I’ve been seeing someone. She likes to eat healthy.”
I freeze like a snow sculpture in Winnipeg in February. “What?”
He’s seeing someone? Whoa! My dad’s been a widower for ten years. This is the first time I’ve heard him mention anyone, although if I’m being realistic, I’m sure he’s been with women.
“Her name is Jenelle. She’s really nice.”
I don’t know how to handle this. But it’s Dad and I want him to be happy. “That’s so great, Dad. Is this…serious?”
He pauses. “Maybe. Yeah.”
Oh wow. “She must be fantastic.”
“Yeah. She kind of is.” The happiness in his voice relaxes me. “You can meet her some time and see for yourself.”
“Okay. Sure. So…she’s making you eat healthy?”
He laughs. “Yeah, as much as she can.”
“Have you been to the doctor for a checkup this year?”
“Yes.” I sense his eye roll.
“How was your cholesterol?”
After a beat, he says, “Why are you asking that?”
“Did you hear about Vern Tayhan?”
“Ohhhh. Yeah. That’s awful.”
“I’m worried about you. You’re the same age as him.”
“My cholesterol is fine.” His tone softens. “I’ve even been working out.”
“Oh.” I blink. “Okay, that’s good.” Surprising, but good. Is this more of Jenelle’s influence? Huh. “Does Ryan know about Jenelle?”
“No. I haven’t heard from him for a while.” Dad sounds disappointed. “I text him sometimes and all I get back is a couple of words.”
“Men,” I mutter.
We chat a bit more, then I say, “I need to talk business with you.”
“Sure.” He sounds curious.
“I have a new client. Hunter Morrissette.”
“That’s great, Katy! Another client! He’s a good player.”
“Yes. He was one of Vern’s clients, and he’s a UFA this year, so he needed a new agent.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“So I’m talking to you…agent to GM…about whether you have any interest in him.”
“Our forward lines are pretty set for next season. There are a couple of contracts I’ll be working on over the summer, but I don’t anticipate things changing much.”
“I figured that. Just thought I’d ask!”
“But you know, this could be the perfect time for him to enter the marketplace,” he says encouragingly. “After the year he’s had, there are definitely going to be teams interested. In fact…” He pauses. “Give Brad Julian a call.”
The manager of the New York Bears. “He’s on my list.”
“Tell him I said hi.”
I smile. Dad and Brad Julian are friends going all the way back to their playing careers, although they’re rivals now. “I will. Thanks, Dad.”
“Good luck, Katy.”
After I end the call, I have to stand and walk around. I pretty much expected that business outcome, but sweet baby Jesus on toast, I didn’t expect to hear my dad has a girlfriend!
And it sounds like she’s looking after him. Which has always been my role, since Mom died. But it’s good. All good. Definitely good. I do need to meet her though. Dad’s not a hockey player anymore, but for some reason I’m concerned this Jenelle is after him because of who he is.
Okay. I need to focus on work.
No, first I need to call my little brother and give him hell.
He doesn’t answer, per usual, so I shoot him a text message. CALL DAD YOU LITTLE SHIT HE HAS NEWS.
By the next week, I’ve left messages, sent emails, and made follow up calls. I’ve felt out Bob Goodaker, the GM of Hunter’s current team, and he’s very complimentary toward Hunter but noncommittal. I’ve pitched my new client to several other GMs and like Dad said, there’s interest. There’s lots of time and I know sometimes all the pieces have to fall into place before a deal can be done.
I’ve also scored a meeting with Brad Julian, since he’s here in New York. Face to face is always better.
In Mr. Julian’s office, located adjacent to the Apex Center where the Bears play, he greets me with a big smile and a firm handshake. “Great to see you, Kate.”
“Thanks.”
“Have a seat.” He gestures at a table in the corner of the room. I sit facing the window that overlooks Sixth Avenue, with a glimpse of the Empire State Building between other edifices. That view still gives me a thrill, as a relatively recent transplant to the city.
“How’s your dad?” Brad takes a seat across from me and relaxes into it.
“He’s great.” I want to blurt out, He has a girlfriend!!! But I keep that to myself.
“So you’ve been here in New York how long? A year?”
“A little over a year, yes.”
After some small talk, Brad turns the meeting to business. I make my pitch and we have a good discussion. “He’s not a flashy guy,” I say. “But he’s very useful in the facets of the game that aren’t flashy. He kills penalties and blocks shots. Some guys aren’t as good at that as others, but Hunter’s good at it. Really good. He wins puck battles. He goes to the net. He knows his assignments and he does what it takes to get those things done.”
“He’s definitely what we used to call gritty.”
Brad’s got a great poker face, but I’m good at reading people and I sense genuine interest. We throw around a few numbers and of course he’s low balling me. He talks about some of the pieces he needs to move into place, which I totally get.
“Let’s keep in touch,” Brad says as we finish up.