Chapter 6 Harlan
SIX
HARLAN
FEbrUARY
Today was a big day. It was Cordero’s first day on the team and his first practice with us.
A light sweat prickled my neck when I saw a seat open next to him at one of the round tables in our dining room.
I’d met him before, of course. Issued a wave when we played against each other, or rather, when he handed my ass to me on a silver platter with a shutout game.
I was just happy to have only let three past me in front of him.
I was grateful for the heavy plate steadying my hand while I approached him. “Seat taken?”
Two bright brown eyes and a handsome face turned my way. “All yours. Good to see you, Royce.”
He’d probably brushed up on the roster before coming here. There was no way he actually remembered me. Still, I suppressed a fanboy shriek at him even acknowledging me. This guy had been my idol since I was twelve. “Same,” I said, trying so hard to be casual about it. “Welcome to Ohio, I guess.”
He lifted a shoulder. “You know what they say, ‘Happy wife, happy life.’”
I fought a cringe at the cliché phrase. Granted, I had used that phrase as “Happy goalie, happy life,” but I was being clever and ironic. Was Eric Cordero . . . not funny? This was why they said to never meet your heroes.
“I thought you wanted more starts in your last year,” I said.
He wrinkled his brow. “Who said it’s my last year?”
“Uh, sorry. I thought you announced your retirement.” I sank my fork into a piece of honeydew. I wanted to salt it first, but I didn’t want my weird to show in front of Eric Cordero. Not yet, anyway. It really does bring out the melon’s flavor, though.
“My agent did. Trying to get a bid for me, I guess. You see how well that turned out.” He stacked his fork with an absurdly huge bite. “I still hope I’ve got at least one more after this.”
“I think you do,” I said.
“Well, sorry for barging in on your space like this. You’ve been top dog for a while.”
I lifted my brows and snorted, stealing his words. “You see how well that’s turned out.”
He cocked his head back. “What do you mean? You’ve been killing it this season.”
I hoped I wasn’t blushing, because how embarrassing would it be for Eric Cordero to see that a single compliment from him would light up my whole world? “Been here three seasons and you don’t see my name on any cups anywhere.”
He shrugged. “Eh, you’re lucky if you get one of those in your career.”
“You have a few,” I pointed out.
Cordero shook his head. “You gotta find a way to play for today. Every game is an opportunity. If you get too caught up in the ending, you miss out on all the good stuff in the middle.”
Damn, was I stepping into a legacy of goalies who could also double as motivational speakers?
But his point stuck with me as we stepped onto the ice for practice. I’d been missing a lot of moments in the middle. Hell, we almost made the playoffs the season before and I didn’t really take the time to savor it.
Add that to the list of things Harlan 2.0 would do: savor.
HARLAN
Hey! We need to pick a time for my first lesson
EMMA
When are you free?
HARLAN
I don’t know. When are you free?
EMMA
Wednesday evening
HARLAN
Can’t. We’re out of town
EMMA
Right. I knew that.
This is why I asked when you’re free. Your schedule is more difficult
HARLAN
For all I know you have some beefcake guy in your life who tells you when you can come and go
EMMA
That’s not an issue
Please just pick a time
HARLAN
This is a lot of attitude for someone who’s getting paid $5,000 a lesson
EMMA
That’s an outrageous number
HARLAN
Your time is valuable
You are valuable
EMMA
If my time was valuable to you, you’d have picked a time by now
HARLAN
Fine.
Friday night
EMMA
Can’t. Another one please
HARLAN
Why? Got a date? Another client?
If so cancel it
I’m paying you more than they are
EMMA
Now who’s a controlling beefcake?
HARLAN
You’re not married, right? I didn’t see a ring
RIGHT? It’s been 5 minutes
Respond to me or it’s $4,000 per lesson
$3,000
EMMA
I was in the bathroom, you maniac
HARLAN
What kind of weirdo doesn’t scroll on the toilet
EMMA
Say one more word about my toilet habits and the deal is off
And you’ll owe me $20k for damages
HARLAN
Did you wash your hands?
EMMA
(cash request for $20,000)
HARLAN
What would you do if i just paid it
EMMA
You could pay it and we’ll find out, sugar daddy
HARLAN
I actually love being called daddy so thank you
My bank thought it was fraud and refused to pay it. I tried
EMMA
Send me a calendar invite for whenever you’re free. I have things to do, people to see
HARLAN
PEOPLE TO DO?! I thought i was your daddy now
EMMA
(notifications silenced, reply urgent to notify)
HARLAN
URGENT
EMMA
What
HARLAN
Have a good day