14. Chapter Fourteen #2
"So, you're giving them options." He pauses. "I’m sure Dave's been preparing a free agency strategy. If you keep playing like this, you'll have serious leverage when July first hits. But if management thinks something's distracting you—"
"Nothing's distracting me. I'm playing well."
"You are. But you're also different. Checking your phone between periods. Pointing at cameras. The guys notice. And if the guys notice, the office will too."
My jaw tightens. "Get to your point, McCrae."
"My point is that if they think you're not committed to Austin, they might move you in March rather than lose you in July for nothing in free agency.
Colorado needs defensive help. Edmonton's desperate after the injuries to Billington and Czechry.
You think they wouldn't jump at someone playing like you are? "
"I don't want to go to fucking Edmonton."
"Then tell Dave you want to extend here."
"Austin hasn't made an offer yet."
Aiden blinks. "What?"
"They haven't really engaged much, according to Dave. He’s doing his job and keeping me out of it, but I know It's November and the clock will be ticking." The bitterness creeps into my voice. "Dave says that's normal, that they'll wait until after Christmas. But..."
"But you're wondering if they even want to keep you."
"Like you said, I'm playing the best hockey of my career.
That makes me expensive. Or valuable trade bait.
" I drain my beer. "And, you’re right, Dave's been working on a free agency strategy for a year.
He wants me to test the market in July, see what I'm worth.
If I tell him to just take whatever Austin offers — if they even offer — I'm potentially leaving money on the table and throwing away a year of his work. "
"So, you're stuck."
"If I wait, I might get paid what I'm worth. Or Austin might trade." My jaw tightens. "And if I tell Dave to negotiate now, Austin might lowball me because they think I won't leave."
"Because of Sarah."
I don't answer. Don't have to. We all know what the truth here is.
Aiden's quiet for a moment. "That's why you're keeping it casual with her."
"What?"
"The FWB thing. You both get what you want right now, and you think you’re protecting her."
I stare at my empty beer bottle. "My career could take me anywhere.
Multiple times. And look, lots of pro sports wives work; that's not the issue.
But Sarah's self-employed with a nonprofit she's built from the ground up.
I can't ask her to just... Start over… Build a dog rescue in every city with an NHL team.
" I shake my head. "It's not fair to her. "
"So instead, you're making no promises at all."
"I'm being realistic, Sticks." My voice gives off more of an edge than I intend.
"She's got a board, donors, volunteers, community connections.
Everything she's worked for is here. How am I supposed to ask her to throw that away and follow me to Edmonton?
Or wherever? And then do it again in a few years when I get traded somewhere else? "
"Is that really the problem, Kev?" Aiden leans back. "Because from where I'm sitting, you're already all-in. You're just lying to both of you about it."
"I'm trying not to ruin her life—"
"You're trying to protect yourself from having to choose between the girl you love and the career you love when the time comes." He stands. "But Sunshine? If you don’t decide now, someone else makes the choice for you."
I pick up my beer and take a long drink, buying some time while I try to discount the truth I don’t want to hear.
Aiden claps me on the shoulder. "Just think about it. Because trades don't give a fuck about your personal life. Which is why you need to."
He heads back to the team, leaving me alone with that.
I stare at my beer, Aiden's words echoing. I want to argue, but he’s summed it up correctly. I’ve been pretending this is about being noble when actually it’s just me being terrified of picking wrong.
My phone buzzes.
Ranger's Mom
Nice pointing. Very subtle.
You were watching.
Ranger's Mom
Ranger insisted.
Just Ranger?
Ranger's Mom
He's very demanding about his viewing schedule.
I finish my beer and stand. The guys are still going strong, but I'm done. Aiden’s right. The system in the league isn’t built to care. If I’m going to win this game with Sarah, I need to remember that even defensemen can score goals.
"Heading out?" Liam calls from a booth.
"Yeah. Long couple days ahead."
"Sure, that's why." He sips at his whiskey, laughing as I close out my tab. "Say hi to whoever you're texting."
I flip him off for the second time today, and head for the door.
Back in my hotel room, I sit on the edge of the bed and call her without overthinking it.
She answers on the second ring. "Hey."
"Am I calling too late?”
“No.” Her voice alone makes everything better. "Good game tonight."
"Thanks." I lie back against the pillows. "You really were wearing it."
"I told you I was."
"Yeah, but seeing it..." Seeing her in my number does things to me I can't put into words.
"Was it helpful?"
"You have no idea."
Silence for a moment. I can hear Ranger snoring in the background.