“Oh yeah. I’m not as good as Ryan, but I’ve been golfing a lot this summer.”
Ryan shakes his head, smiling crookedly. “Thanks, man.”
Soon we’re eating excellent Chicago hot dogs—poppyseed buns and fresh toppings including a tangy pickle. Ryan and Dad have chili dogs.
“How was your meeting?” Dad asks me.
I’ve been dying for someone to ask! “It was great!” I smile proudly. “I signed him!”
“Wow! That’s fantastic!” Ryan says. “Good for you, Kate.”
I catch Hunter’s proud smile.
“Wow,” Dad says with less enthusiasm. “That’s amazing. That kid’s going to be a star.”
“I know!”
“Congratulations!” Jenelle says.
“Thank you, I’m excited about it.”
I’m doing it. People thought I couldn’t, but I am. I really am.
I eye Dad. His muted reaction is a bit of a bummer. But it’s okay. Because I’M DOING IT!
We tell the others about our Ferris wheel ride (which makes Lucas and Ethan envious) and our afternoon at Navy Pier, including a walk along the beach path.
Conversation jumps around, with the kids pelting Hunter with questions and me interrogating Jenelle. Just kidding. I’m trying to get to know her. I learn that she’s been a widow for four years, she manages a bookstore, and she loves hockey. She also seems devoted to her kids and keeps them in line when they start getting carried away catapulting French fries at each other with their forks. So overall, I don’t find anything about her to dislike. And the boys are honestly adorable.
When we get back to Dad’s place later, I follow him into the family room where he turns on the TV. Ryan’s gone out somewhere else with friends and Hunter’s gone up to bed early. He’s still a little under the weather from last night. I told him to go sleep in my room since the cot is broken and I’ll deal with Dad if I have to.
“It must be different for you having two young kids around,” I say, curling into a corner of the couch.
“Yeah, it is.” Dad smiles ruefully. “It makes things a little harder, but luckily Jenelle has a good babysitter in her neighborhood she uses, if we want to go out alone. And her boys are great kids.”
“They seem like it. And Jenelle seems nice.”
“You sound surprised.”
“Do I?” I purse my lips. “I’m sorry. I wanted Jenelle to be nice, because…I wanted her to be good enough for you.”
“Aw. Baby girl.” Dad coughs. “And your verdict?”
“Well, I’ve only met her this one time, but I like her.”
“Good. And I like Hunter.”
“Thanks. I like him too.” I smile at him.
“I have to confess I was a bit concerned that you’re dating a client.”
My stomach tightens. “Oh.” I swallow.
“I know how much you care about your clients. I worry about your boundaries.”
“Oh,” I say again. I don’t have to think hard to know what he’s talking about—performing a marriage ceremony for one player, bailing another out of jail, dressing in a bear costume. Falling in love. Eeep. “I know it doesn’t look great, but…Hunter and I have a history. We knew each other in college.”
He sighs. “There are a lot of things stacked against a woman in this business. Sleeping with a client doesn’t help.”
Ah. That’s what the issue is.
“It’s more than that,” I protest, although with a knot in my gut I know he’s right. “I care a lot about Hunter.” I swallow again. “I’ve worked hard to build my reputation and my business, after a rocky start. And…it’s hard enough to do this job as a woman, without feeling I don’t have the support of my own father.”
“Ah, hell. You do have my support, Katy. You know I put in a good word with Van.”
“More than one good word,” I mutter. “I figured that. But was it because you thought I couldn’t seal the deal on my own?”
“No!” His frown is fierce. “That’s not it at all! It’s because I know you’ll be a great agent for him.”
I study his face. “Really?”
“Really. I can tell his family how great you are until I’m blue in the face, but in the end you’re the one who has to convince them you’re the right agent for him. And you did.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“It’s a hard business. Being an agent can be…tough. It’s always been a man’s business.”
“Dad.” I give him a reproving look. “You did not just say that.”
“I know you’re not the only woman agent, but men are assholes and they can make it difficult for you.”
“They did make it difficult for me. At Pinnacle. When I left, they weren’t happy that I took some clients with me, and they didn’t have great things to say about me because of that. I didn’t do anything wrong, but they were pissed. But I survived and I’m doing okay.”
“Sometimes I worry about you getting hurt.”
“Why would I get hurt?”
“Sometimes when we give a lot of ourselves, we expect the same in return. But we don’t always get that. Not everyone is as honest and trustworthy as you are.”
I narrow my eyes. “Are you talking about Hunter?”
He holds up a hand. “No. I told you, I like him.”
“I know what you’re saying, Dad. I saw that at Pinnacle. The things they did weren’t always…ethical. Which was part of the reason I left. I wanted to represent my clients differently.”
“I worried that the way you conduct your business might not be…respected.”
“Again, are you talking about Hunter?”
“Again no. But having him as a client and a…boyfriend…could be complicated.”
It already has been. But I don’t say that to Dad. I don’t want him to worry more than he already is. “We know that. And I know you always thought I was too player focused. But I think I am respected in the business.”
He smiles. “You are. I hear that from people all the time.”
“Oh.” All the air leaves my lungs. “Really?”
“Yeah. I’m proud of you, Katy.”
I didn’t know how much I wanted to hear that. My throat squeezes. “Thanks, Dad.”
Dad clears his throat. “Okay. How’s Vern doing?”
“Last I heard, he was getting better. We don’t know if he’ll work again.”
Dad shakes his head. “That would be tough.”
“Do you think you’ll ever retire?”
“Whoa. Why do you ask that? I’m still young.”
“I know. But hockey and the team are your life. Or maybe not…now you have Jenelle and her kids. I just wondered if you thought about life after hockey.”
“I haven’t,” he says slowly. “But I guess having a plan B is always a good idea.”
“Yeah.”
Dad shoots me a wry smile. “You’re still looking after us.”
I smile black. “Of course. I love you.”