Cold as (N)ice (Sticks and Vows #1)

Chapter 5

5

COEUR

“Sup Jimmy…”

“Mon Coeur…” his agent bragged in an exaggerated manner, immediately incensing him.

“What did I say about that?”

“You love me – or you will after this phone call,” Jimmy said confidently and had Barrett’s attention immediately.

“Give me the news. What’s going on?”

“It’s going to be announced as soon as they have the team together,” Jimmy began, and Barrett could practically see the man rubbing his hands together in glee. “Now, they are going after a few more people to set themselves up nicely – and that is why they are willing to pony up on the contract. And how much do you love ol’ Jimmy?”

“Lots,” Barrett retorted flatly, wishing the man would just spill the news. “But I’m only listening, remember? I’m not really looking for a change.”

“How does 1-point-two million sound… and two endorsement contracts up front?”

“What?”

“You heard me. I negotiated a bigger payout for you…”

“Jimmy, are you serious?”

“They are completely in love with you after your last game where you scored twice. You don’t end up in the penalty box, you are in perfect health, you play hard, get along with the team, plus with that stellar image you have… they love you, Mon Coeur!” This time, Barrett simply chuckled and listened, fascinated as his agent laid on the praise thickly. “The Wolverines want you on their starting lineup.”

“In Quebec.”

“Yes.”

“So, I’d have to move…”

“I’ve got that handled too. Relocation allowance,” Jimmy said smoothly. “I could have movers there tomorrow for you the second you snap your fingers – and I already emailed you a few listings in the area that are up for sale.”

“Now hang on…”

“Barrett, this is the chance of a lifetime,” Jimmy pleaded, but there was something else there – something not being said.

“It sounds too good to be true, so what is the catch?”

“They love your image, your reputation, the way you hold yourself on the ice, but…”

And Barrett braced himself for the letdown. There was always something, some catch, some exclusion. No one got carte blanche – there was always some clause. There was with the Coyotes when he signed with them, but that ‘catch’ was exceedingly easy to adhere to.

“They want to push a clean, wholesome team, with the whole family image,” Jimmy hesitated. “They are only signing married men so there is less chance of there being some terrible scandal that will ruin the image they are trying so hard to create in secret. So, I don’t suppose you have a girlfriend lurking in a closet somewhere – do you? Just lock that female down and put a ring on…”

Barrett hung up – and called back not two seconds later.

“Jimmy, marriage? … Seriously ?”

“Mon Coeur, think of the money. You could have it all, everything, and they are giving you so much to take this chance… plus – and you did not here this from me – but your buddy Keith Boucher, just accepted a contract. You won’t be alone up there.”

“What?!” he screeched in disbelief.

“The heat the Coyotes are putting on him about that kerfuffle on social media, yes, well, I don’t think that little stunt that you all are trying to arrange…”

“How did you…?” Barrett whispered, shocked to his core. His agent knew they were working on a plan to get some of the social media heat off of his teammate, Boucher, after that last scandal hit the internet.

“I know every fish that swims in my oceans, boy – and don’t you ever forget it,” Jimmy laughed manically. “Remember when I told you I was the shark to your whale?”

“Yeah?”

“The ‘whale’ is your wallet now… and I’m your personal financial shark, Jaws. Now, find yourself a female – doesn’t matter who – and marry her. Pick a house, sign the documents I’m sending you right now, and let’s both go to the bank before someone else takes your spot.”

“But…”

“Barrett, so help me, if you back out of this deal – your next one won’t be brokered by me!” Jimmy said bluntly, taking him by surprise.

First of all, Jimmy never called him by his first name. It was always that insidious ‘Mon Couer’ that annoyed him – and secondly, he’d never been threatened before, making him wonder if he put everything on the line assuming he would jump at the chance.

“Let me look at the files tonight,” he said simply.

“If you need something, tell me. I’m here for you.”

“C-Can you see if…” Barrett hesitated, feeling the lump in his throat as the idea hit him right between the eyes. “Can you see if there is a school for the deaf near one of those homes – a school that speaks English?”

“Can you run that past me again? I’m not sure that I heard you correctly… did you just ask me to find a school for the deaf – in Quebec? Like wavy-finger-stuff and…”

“Just find out and email me the information,” Barrett snapped angrily, cutting off the obnoxious man as he rubbed his hands over his face. The pressure of this entire conversation was getting to him. “Let me see what I can do – because if this falls apart, it’s not just you. It’s me too. I’ll end up blacklisted, married, unemployed, and without a manager.”

“I’m glad we understand each other. I’ll be talking to you soon.”

“I suppose so.”

Barrett hung up the phone and screamed angrily at the dash, pounding on the steering wheel like a toddler throwing a tantrum, for about twenty seconds flat, before sucking in several deep breaths that were enough to make his cheeks puff up and hollow with the effort exerted.

He was angry and felt trapped, plus he was pretty sure what Irene’s reaction would be. It was a heckuva lot to swallow.

Marriage…

Moving…

A new city – a new team?

He understood the request completely because a lot of teams were making the changes trying to increase their presence, pushing the whole ‘role model’ image, and it was working. The Coyotes did it five years ago and filled arenas ever since the changes had been enacted. No, he needed to look at the contracts, the information sent over to him, and calm down so he could think logically about this before he put his foot in his mouth.

Dialing, he called Batiste.

“Allo?”

“Hey – what school does Irene’s kid go to?”

“Why?”

“Can you just answer a question without asking another one, froggie ?” Barrett bit out – only to be greeted by a string of foul terms, in French, as his friend and teammate called him things that would make a nun blush. In fact, he held the phone from his ear and stared at it in surprise before wincing and returning it to his head.

“You could have just called me a gros tête ‘du cochon again, Batiste. I swear, if I had feelings, one of them would have been hurt by that potty mouth.”

“Like you teasing Thierry and calling the man ‘Fat Clairol’ to ‘is face…”

“He loves me,” Barrett shrugged, chuckling at the memory.

“I don’t know why…”

“Me neither,” Barrett grinned. “Now, can you give me the name of the school, or should I pester Irene again – who, by the way – is in a really foul mood.”

“Did you piss ‘er off?”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Ah.”

“What’s that mean?”

“Nothing…. Ah, ‘ere is the l’ecole.”

“Text it to me please – and tell Coach I’m gonna be ten or twenty minutes late because of a charity event.”

“Eh? What charity event…?”

Barrett hung up the phone – and chuckled.

“Time to be ‘charitable’,” he smirked, turning right. Clicking on his phone, he made another phone call and glanced at his watch. Hearing the surprised voice answer, he launched into his spiel.

“Mike – Barrett Coeur of the Coyotes – get in your car right now and listen to me very carefully…” he ordered immediately, his mind focused on a new course of action.

F ifteen minutes later, Barrett grabbed a box of Coyotes hats, T-shirts, and all the swag gear he kept in his vehicle for anyone that happened to stop him while he was out and about in town. It was about making a good name for yourself, keeping the public happy, and spreading that sense of wonder to any potential fans.

If he got noticed, he always had something to give away. If Barrett went to the grocery, he couldn’t wear his favorite baseball cap… he would always don another prepared to give it away. If he wore a T-shirt, he slung a jersey over it or another T-shirt. Your presence was your brand – and he believed that with everything in him.

“May I help you, sir?” a woman said immediately as he buzzed the callbox on the school doors.

“Barrett Coeur of the North Texas Coyotes here to speak to Stephen Kanen’s classroom…” he began and was quickly interrupted as the door buzzed.

“The deaf kid with the interpreter?” the woman balked, walking out of the office to meet them – and he gave her a stern frown.

“I’m gonna forget you just said that,” Barrett said openly, not bothering to hesitate in his displeasure. “This is a school, and unless you want to have the news accidently recording you saying insensitive garbage like that…” he drew out pointedly, letting the silence give off the desired effect. “Now, point me in the direction, please?”

“Do you have an appointment? You’ll have to sign in and…”

“Fine,” he replied, cutting her off and quickly signing the clipboard before slapping a ‘Hello-My-Name-Is’ sticker on his chest obediently as the reporter jogged up to the school. Yes, with several seconds of Barrett telling her how this was going to happen, Mike gawking at him, and the woman sputtering… within minutes, they were standing in the hallway, directly in front of the classroom door.

Barrett swallowed back his nerves. He truly hated speaking, but this wasn’t about him. It was for Stephen – and whatever turds were bullying a very cool kid he liked and knew.

“Mike Janski – Sports – and I have a surprise and an exclusive treat for all of you watching today as I have the right wing of the North Texas Coyotes, number twelve, Barrett Coeur. Barrett, how are you doing, buddy?”

“Hey, Mike. I’m doing well, and I’m so excited to take a chance to share my appreciation and secret love…” he drew out deliberately, trying to work the camera.

“You hear that ladies…?” Mike interjected – and Barrett winked knowingly, directly at the lens that seemed to zoom in. “He’s got a secret love.”

“I do,” Barrett chuckled, laying on the charm. “Anyone can hold a conversation,” he began and then held up his hands and saw the camera pan downward slightly almost as if rehearsed. He signed and spoke, knowing he wanted it to be known to Stephen and Irene, what he was doing. “But being able to communicate in another form is a treasure few understand. There is a complexity in thinking differently, outside the box, and while I’m not as good as some, it’s encouraging to know that extraordinarily bright children have the same opportunities as others to learn and be a valued part of society.”

“Barrett, I had no idea you knew sign language…”

“It was something I wanted to learn long ago becausae I had a friend in elementary school who was deaf,” Barrett admitted, still signing for the camera. “While my signing is slow and awkward, I practice with a couple of friends. I am starting a donation fund to support alternative schools that accept deaf children, fostering their learning, just like this location…”

Barrett knocked on the classroom door and didn’t hesitate, opening the door. He immediately signed and spoke quickly, unsure what was waiting for them.

“My apologies for barging in,” he began – and saw Stephen’s shocked face in the middle of the classroom, waving quickly at him and nodding to the interpreter beside him. “I wanted to come by Stephen’s class to say ‘hello’ to everyone and give away a few gifts. The North Texas Coyotes Hockey Team champions all sorts of charities – including support of the American Society of Deaf Children. Do you mind if I say a few things?”

He laid on a charming smile as the teacher gawked at him, nodding awestruck. It probably wasn’t every day that some famous sports person just appeared out of thin air – much less a news crew with zero notice. Yeah, he was pushing the Coyotes big time just so he didn’t get his butt chewed for this stunt that was going to be all over the news shortly.

Unauthorized, too.

“Hey, Stephen,” Barrett began, speaking in both forms. “Wanna help me pass out a few goodies, buddy?”

You came to see us? To see me?

“To see you,” he smiled, kneeling as Stephen rushed forward with the brightest smile, throwing his arms around him. He always had a weak spot for children, and that was part of the reason he volunteered for the little league stuff.

He wanted a family someday of his own and knew deep down he’d never meet someone who liked him for who he was on the inside – and not his uniform or team he played on which is why he shied away from relationships, lurking at home, playing video games instead.

Mario Cart after dinner tonight, buddy? he signed.

Are you ready to lose again?

“Yeah,” Barrett laughed easily – and so did some of the children. Gosh, this made him feel so good inside to see the smiling faces and the way Stephen was looking at him like he was some sort of idol. Now, no bragging at how many times you’ve beat me in the game…

I stopped counting at twenty.

He chuckled again and waved over the children, gesturing to the box. “Come grab a treat. I’m due on the ice for practice very soon. Even I have to learn and apply myself as an adult. You never stop learning… and this kid right here is my friend. Aren’t you Stephen?”

Yes!

Stephen hugged him again as Barrett tugged a Coyotes cap on the boy, smiling at all of their eager faces as a flurry of excited hands spoke to him – and he tried to answer each one, each child, knowing it meant the world to one particular person who was beaming at him brightly.

Yeah, he kinda liked this gig, and the thoughts swirling in his head were slightly terrifying but awfully tempting at the same time. He was going to have to speak with Irene because if Jimmy paved the way like he imagined his agent had done… this little stunt was only going to help solidify that contract.

Oh man, Coach C?te was going to kill him – and Boucher.

Barrett considered accepting the offer.