Page 121 of Iced Out

I’m about to tell him I don’t need any time when a burning sensation hits my back, making my spine go rigid and halting any words in the back of my throat. I don’t even have to turn around to know Oakley’s staring at me from outside the locker room door.

Which is only confirmed when Louis’s attention moves back over my shoulder, giving a brief nod before returning to me once more.

“You know, I used to represent the Reed brothers back in their NHL days.” He eyes me quizzically. “I wanted to represent the trifecta of Reed boys, but this last one wouldn’t sign with me. Says if I’m only taking on one NHL prospect this year, there’s someone far more deserving on his team who I should be looking at instead.”

And if I thought I was flabbergasted before, it’s got nothing on how floored I am right now. At a complete loss for words as what Louis just said registers in my brain.

Of course, Oakley has the pedigree that would make it easy for him to find another agent. But…having Louis is a piece of his legacy. One far bigger than becoming captain would ever mean to him.

So why the fuck would he be willing to give the chance up, only for me to take it instead?

“When did you have this conversation with him?”

Another quizzical look. “A couple months ago. I stopped by his parents’ just after the New Year to speak with him.”

My heart drops to my stomach, and without thinking, I turn to find Oakley. He’s still there, right outside the locker room door, like I knew he’d be. And though he’s far enough away that I can’t make out his features, I can tell he’s smiling.

I can’t explain it, I just fucking know it.

I spin back to Louis. “He wants you to sign me even though you’re like…Louis Spaulding. Even though you’re a piece of his family’s legacy. Even though you’re only taking on one hockey player.”

He nods, a small smile tilting the corner of his mouth. “It sure seems that way, doesn’t it?”

“And you had this conversation months ago?”

“He was crystal clear about it, and your coach reaffirmed it with me before you got out here.” Louis must tell I’m trying to grapple with my thoughts, because he offers another squeeze of my shoulder before releasing his grip. “You’ve got a lot to think about, so I’m going to leave you to it. But this offer is genuine, de Haas. I’d love nothing more than to represent you.”

I can think about it all I want, but one thing is certain. None of this makes any sense, no matter how many times I try to work through it in my head.

This is Oakley’s entire future we’re talking about here. A legacy he’s following, building into his own. It’s everything he’s spent his entire life working for, and he’s just gonna…what? Give it up so I can have a chance instead?

But then our conversation from the other night comes reeling back into my mind until I latch on three fucking words I’d never expected to come out of Oakley’s mouth. Ones that spilled from his lips so easily, I can’t believe they’d be anything but the truth.

Words…I know I feel too.

And that’s all it takes to understand why he’d give up having Louis as his agent so I could. He believes in me, maybe even more than I believe in myself.

Due to a single reason, so complicated, but so fucking simple at the same time.

Love.

Louis is already stepping away, back down the hall, and I blurt out an answer before I think any better of it.

“I’m in.”

He pauses, giving me a look. “You’re sure? The offer still stands if you need time. There’s no need to feel—”

“I don’t need time, I know this is what I want,” I tell him, a surge of confidence in me like I’ve never felt before. “But I think I have one condition.”

He grins, and it’s the kind that tells me he already knows what I’m going to say.

“I’m all ears.”

Thirty-Four

Quinton

April

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