24. Branton
Seven days.
So much has changed in a week.
Last week I was in Parry Sound willingly spending my days alone with no inclination to leave. And now, my bags are packed and in the back of a rented SUV heading down the highway, Blake in the passenger seat beside me as we drive toward her parents’ place.
After our talk yesterday, Blake said we weren’t waiting any longer to get my life back. She’d had enough of letting me decide when we left Gannon’s place. She was taking charge.
I don’t know how she did it, but when we woke this morning there was a car in the driveway, keys under the front door mat, and after packing up and locking down the house, we were on the road, our route plotted, less than three hours later.
That was two hours ago.
“You want to stop for lunch or keep going?” I ask as a sign for the next exit flies by.
“If we keep going, we’ll get to Mom and Dad’s well before dinner.” Twisting around, she reaches into the backseat and comes back with a bag of trail mix. “I’ve got this to keep us going but maybe we can swing through a drive thru somewhere and get food to eat along the way. If you’re hungry.”
“I’m not hungry. The bacon and egg sandwiches you made us before we left the house are still clinging to my ribs.” Blake packed them to go, and I ate three and a half of them in the first fifteen minutes of our journey. This new life I’m going after has me ravenous but once again, Blake came through for me.
“Me too. And I ate less than you.”
“Half of one doesn’t really count as less.”
“Of course it does. Besides, when I talked to Mom last night, she said Dad would be grilling steaks on the barbecue for dinner tonight and we were welcome to share if we didn’t dawdle.”
The mention of her parents has my stomach clenching. I can’t wait to see them. It’s been years, and excitement at seeing the two people who mean as much to me as my own mother fills my chest.
Except I can’t deny the layer of trepidation that has a choke hold on my heart.
I let them down.
I let everyone down.
If my mom was alive, she’d slap me upside the head and call me a dumbass for the way I behaved. The only saving grace of losing Mom is she didn’t get to witness the biggest mistake of my life unfold.
“So, steak dinner or lunch?”
“That’s not a question. Steak. One hundred percent steak, every time. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner if it’s an option.”
Laughing, Blake tears open the bag of trail mix. “Hold out your hand.”
When I do as asked, she tips a small pile of nuts and dried fruit into my palm. “No cranberries?”
“No. I’m still in the habit of buying our preferred brand.”
“Thanks.”
“For what, liking the same thing as you?”
“No. For not wiping me from your life when I wiped you from mine.”
“Did you wipe me? You never thought about me? Never wished things were different?”
“I tried not to. Every damn day. Couldn’t seem to do it most of the time.”
“Then we’re even.”
“We’ll never be even.”
“Agree to disagree.”
“I won’t let you down like I did before.”
“I think you let yourself down when you cut us out more than anyone else, Bran.”
Blake’s phone rings before I can argue. I expect her to take the call; what I don’t expect is for her to grin and put it on speaker. “Hello… Drake.”
Her drawn-out greeting has me smiling.
“Blake. I’m told you have a new client for me.”
I don’t recognize Drake’s voice but I know who he is, and his words have me glancing at Blake.
“I do. He’s right here and I have you on speaker.”
“I can’t talk to him with you listening.”
“Why not?”
“Two words. Conflict. Interest.”
“Oh, come on. I know you read through Walker’s contract in front of Oakley.”
“I did. But we didn’t talk about it in front of Oakley.”
“Fine. I’ll stick my fingers in my ears.”
“Very funny. Branton, I assume you can hear me.”
Their back and forth has me grinning even though they’re talking like I’m not here. “Yes.”
“Good. I’d be happy to take you on so get my number from Blake and when you’ve got a minute, give me a call. And when you do, leave her in another room.”
“Drake!”
“Listen, Watts, I want you guys to succeed as much as you do but I’m not letting you do it on the backs of my clients.”
“He’s not your client yet.”
“I believe I just said he was.”
“I don’t see a signed contract. Send it to me and I’ll pass it on to Bran. After I’ve looked at it.”
“Blake, I love you and your girls, but we’re doing this right. I don’t need another Walker and Oakley media fiasco.”
“Ah…well…”
“Shit. I don’t want to know. Whatever is going on keep it out of the spotlight until after we get Branton squared away.”
“We’re heading to my parents’ place for a few days then we’ll be going to Baton Rouge. Together.”
“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 he does own 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.”
“Mal’s a good guy. He did his best.”
“If that was his best, I’d hate to see his worst.”
“I’m not sure anyone could have dealt with the fallout of my tailspin any better.”
“Drake would have. It’s why I’m going to tell you to sign with him. He’s got one of the best reputations and he’s proven himself over the last few weeks with the situation surrounding the Rogues franchise leak, and Walker and Oakley getting together, as well as Walker signing on as our head coach.”
“I can see how that might be a bit of a scandal.” And if I get my wish, if Blake and I become a couple, our situation will be the same. I’ll be sleeping with my boss.
“The deal with Walker’s ex and Cantrell was just as scandalous but as usual, the press likes to tear down a successful woman more than exposing a deceitful man.”