Chapter Nineteen
Sean
“Fancy,” she comments, saying it in a posh voice.
I know this must seem ridiculously over the top in her mind.
Winter’s always been the down-to-earth sort of girl, and it’s something I appreciate more than ever.
“You really are a hockey superstar, aren’t you?
” She flicks her gaze over me, “Well, la-tee-da. Sir Spruce.”
I snort, chuckling, and shake my head. “Nah, I’m still just me. I have to review some contract stuff, though, so I’m guessing my agent thinks this absolutely can’t wait.” I kiss the top of her head, unable to hold back from touching her now that the walls we’d had up between us have come down.
Spencer opens the helicopter door, and I quickly grab it to help Winter inside first. I climb up next, closing the door behind me.
Spencer leans over, making sure it’s secured, while we buckle ourselves in.
He hands us each a pair of bulky headphones to cover our ears with that have a microphone attached.
“Spencer, I’d like you to meet Winter. Winter, this is my agent, Spencer.”
“Nice to meet you,” they both respond.
Spencer gestures to the man beside him, who’s in charge of all the important controls. “This is Chance, our pilot. He’s a big hockey fan who was willing to do us a solid this morning and give us all a ride.”
“Thanks, Chance. This is a pretty awesome helicopter you have here.”
He nods. “Thanks, I wish I had one like this, but it’s the company’s that I work for. The partners at the firm in New York are big fans and season ticket holders, so they are more than happy to let me give you a lift. I’m honored to meet you, Spruce.”
“The honors all mine,” I respond earnestly, offering him a grateful smile. My time may’ve been interrupted by Winter, but it’s not Chance’s fault. He’s just a fan doing a favor when he’d probably rather be home and out of this freezing weather.
“We’ll be keeping low to help avoid some of the flurries and wind.
The weather still seems to be a bit touch-and-go, but we should be in a clear pocket for about the next hour.
This ride may get a little bumpy, but I assure you I will take all precautions.
Does our next stop happen to be the house not far from here, the one with the big red barn?
” He asks, beginning to flip switches, and then we’re lifting off the ground.
I can’t believe how big it is in here; we could comfortably fit another four people.
Their firm must travel a lot for business to have this level of luxury and to be able to loan it out for a ride on quick notice.
Spencer didn’t just get us a helicopter ride; he practically got us a small plane with how secure and roomy it feels.
Winter confirms, “That’s the one, my parents’ house. Thank you.”
We lift off fairly quickly, making my stomach drop at the sudden change. Winter grabs my hand for support, and it makes me feel ten feet tall. We’re not up in the air for long; it seems like the flight takes maybe a total of three minutes tops, before we’re lowering back down to the ground.
Chance gives Spencer the okay, and he opens the door.
We get unbuckled from our safety belts, and then I climb out first. I hold out both of my hands for Winter, gripping her hips tightly to lift her to the ground.
I don’t release her right away, needing to feel her luscious curves against my bulk one more time before I have to leave her.
I wrap my arms around her tightly, carrying her away from the helicopter.
She stares up at me, grinning as I walk. She’s thoroughly amused I’m not letting her go yet. I murmur, “Thank you for yesterday. And for last night.”
She blushes, nodding.
My fingers move to her chin, tipping her face up so she’ll meet my gaze. “This is just business. I’ll be back. And Winter? This thing between us is not finished. I want you in my life.”
“Sean, I mean…The helicopter, and everything-” she gestures to the aircraft behind me.
As if I don’t know how extra this is. Hockey players are known for being more on the low-key side when it comes to showboating, and this doesn’t fit the mold. But neither does she. She’s somehow more, and I don’t know how to explain it, but my heart somehow already knows it.
“I know. Life can be overwhelming, but I promise this isn’t a normal thing.
I’ll be back as soon as I can. Until then, stay warm and don’t work yourself too hard.
” I glance up, noticing the mistletoe hung from the porch, nearly right above us.
It was all over the cabin, too, but I’d ignored it in the face of being a gentleman.
Now, however, I can’t wait any longer, so I plant my lips on hers.
“Whoa! Simmer down now,” is yelled from the porch, her dad’s deep voice interrupting us.
I pull away, chuckling, and press one more kiss to the tip of her nose.
The move makes her smile. “I’ll see you soon.
That’s a promise.” I repeat, and then nod to David.
I swore to keep his daughter safe, and I’ve kept my word.
I’m not about to shy away from kissing her now, so he needs to get used to seeing me treat her like she’s my whole world, because she is.
“Be careful!” She calls as I take off into a jog back to the helicopter.
I wave, blow her a kiss, and then climb back inside. Spencer closes the door, meeting my gaze with his brows raised. I know he’s probably got plenty of questions and opinions he’s chomping at the bit to discuss, but he keeps them to himself for the moment.
We lift off as he’s handing me a manila file folder full of papers. “You’ll want to see these.”
I open it, already expecting the folder to hold the offers that’ve been coming in from various teams he mentioned yesterday. Right on top is one from the Noelville Blizzards. The same team whose arena I’ve been using to train at while I’m home visiting Mom.
“What?” I ask with surprise. I had no idea that they were interested in me. I’m at their arena often to practice, and no one has mentioned anything. Not even in passing.
Spencer nods, flashing me a grin. “I know. There are several more, but when I saw that come through, I knew you’d want to see it as soon as possible.”
“And the ride?” I question, having no idea where we’re headed, only that I’m still in my clothes from yesterday, and I could use a shower.
Maybe a gallon of coffee if we’re being realistic.
I peer out the side, watching the village pass below, and then we’re heading toward Noelville.
Or the airport. Or who knows with Spencer in charge at the moment.
There’s no telling what he’s cooked up and has me agreeing to today.
“We have a meeting with their owner and GM in forty-five minutes. I figured it’d give you enough time to review the other offers and decide if you want to show up for our meeting or not.”
I quietly flip through the various teams and what they’re offering the Pines for my trade deal.
This entire situation is out of the ordinary; you never hear about scandals like this in Hockey.
In football? Yes. They’re known for being problematic, with owners micromanaging everything and making terrible financial decisions.
The potential bankruptcy and emergency trade deals with the Pines are going to be all anyone is talking about in the hockey world.
I’ll be happy when all of the fuss dies down, and it's back to business as usual. I still can’t believe the team and everyone are being so chill about working together to get everyone where they want to go. I need to find out what’s happening with my buddy, Jake, and the rest of my teammates.
I glance through the other contracts, scanning the main points so I don’t miss the most important things I care about.
Spencer will have scoured them closely already, so he’ll let me know the fine details on whichever option I decide to take.
Two separate teams have three different players listed; they’d be willing to trade straight across to get me on their team.
They probably believe they can make up the other two players’ spots they’d be missing for cheaper than what the remaining balance is on my contract.
Four teams are offering up a player, plus some cash.
Their numbers aren’t a full contract buyout, since they’re offering a player in my place as well.
Then, three teams are offering a full contract buyout.
Finally, there are the Noelville Blizzards and the Seattle Storm.
Both teams are offering the Pines enough money to buy out my remaining contract, along with a contractual option of an extension for me, which I would have to agree to.
I didn’t consider that the teams might want me to sign on for longer; if anything, I was expecting the opposite and to be pushed into retirement.
We’re landing in no time, it seems, since Noelville is so close to Noel Falls. I lean forward, saying, “Thanks, Chance. You have no idea what this ride means to me. Want me to sign anything for you or the partners you spoke of?”
“Do you mind if we get a selfie? My kids aren’t going to believe this.”
“Of course. Are they young?” He looks old enough to be my father, but I don’t want to assume.
“No, they’re older than you, I’m sure. My boys have been to several games, though, and to know I got some time with you without a crowd will have them running out to get their pilot's licenses.”
We all laugh, and then I lean in, letting him snap a few selfies. Spencer helps out and climbs in the back to get a better photo of us, and then I autograph a few papers for him. We say our goodbyes and hop out.
“Take care, we’ll be rooting for you!” He calls out as we wave and then closes the door.
Spencer and I hurry up the steps to the training facility since we were just dropped off in the nearest parking lot.
Talk about a way to make an entrance. A few people stare, including some of the Blizzards showing up for morning skate.
I wave, my cheeks warm from what they must be thinking is a total divo moment.
I’m anything but a divo (aka man version of diva), and I pride myself on being laid back.
I wonder if the GM or any of the other faculty saw us arrive as well.
“So, this option they offered. Contract buy-out with an extension agreement. What all does that entail? I was trying to read through each team before we landed, and I ran out of time. Does it mean what I think it does?”
“Walk with me,” he says, and takes the folder.
“Yes, they’re willing to fork up the full amount of cash to buy your current contract out from the Pines.
However, they want an addendum in place stating you’ll consider an extension with them before you decide to retire or go to another team at the end of your term. ”
I open my mouth to speak, but he holds his hand up, so I’ll wait, as he continues, “But that’s not all.
If you decide to retire or, God-forbid, are injured and can no longer play, they want you to consider a position on their faculty.
Other teams also asked for you to consider a non-playing position with them if you decide to retire when this contract is up as well. ”
My mouth pops open. “Seriously?”
He nods, “You’ve hit new records this season. Which I’m guessing you haven’t been paying attention to. You’re easy to work with, players admire you, the media likes you…These really are your golden years, Spruce.”
He claps me on the back, coming to a standstill, and asks, “Now what’s it going to be?
Do we climb into my rental?” He gestures to the black SUV he’s no doubt had someone deliver here for him.
“And, drive to the airport, to fly to another city and team? Or do we take the meeting here, and you end up getting exactly what you’ve been asking for? ”
“I don’t know how you pulled this one off, Spencer, but I only need two things. A massive cup of strong black coffee, and a pen to sign the new contract with the Blizzards.”
He grins, clapping me on my shoulder. “That’s what I thought, buddy, and it wasn’t me. This is all you.”
A moment later, a white sedan pulls up beside us. The window rolls down, and a bored-looking teenager pokes his head out. “You Spencer?”
“Yep, that’s me.” He steps next to the car.
“Pin?”
“Five-four-four-zero.”
The kid nods, then hands over a tray with two large to-go cups and a bag. The scent of warm bread, sausage, and coffee permeates the air, assaulting my senses. I nearly groan as my stomach rumbles with hunger. Spencer slips him a twenty with his thanks, and then the kid drives off.
“This is why I pay you the big bucks,” I comment as he hands me my cup.
Steam escapes the opening as I take my first sip of the rich, bitter beverage.
It works on warming me up instantly, and I’m no longer in a good mood.
Now, I’m in a really good mood, on the cusp of breaking out in some celebratory Christmas carols that I’m sure Spencer wouldn’t be impressed with.
Winter, on the other hand, she’d sing with me.
The only thing that would make this day any better would be getting to spend it with the woman of my dreams. All while knowing that I’ll finally be able to offer her a life with me, that she’ll be happy living.
.