Page 58 of A Scoring Chance

I hold out my hand, and Ms. Melanie clasps it tightly in hers. “I think you have yourself a deal.”

As meetings with your boyfriend’s mother go, I think I knocked this one out of the park.

Chapter Nineteen

Cooper

“What the fuck do you mean bythey’re working on it?” I don’t have patience for this shit.

When I arrived at the arena, Remy was already waiting in the locker room, which was never a good sign. I didn’t even have time to say hi to the guys before he dragged me into the small room we used to review game tapes. Remy was sent to break the news about the lack of response from the team to the media.

“It means they are working on it, Coop.” Remy sighs, resting his hand on my shoulder and squeezing. “They’re going to issue a statement after you meet with Murphy in”—he checks his watch—“twenty minutes. They want a better idea of when you’ll be ready to get back on the ice before saying anything.”

Good thing they can rely on me to be a creature of habit. I had no intention of coming to the arena this early. I was planning on spending the day in bed with Beauty, although Momma, Darius, and Alise interrupted us by arriving early. From what Beau told me on the ride over, Momma was excited and couldn’t wait to meet Ramona. This is both a good and bad thing if you ask me.

I want Beauty and Momma to get to know each other better, but we just defined our relationship moments before everyoneinvaded my house. I can’t take any chances that anyone in my family may say or do something to scare her away. I can already tell from our conversation earlier that she’s hesitant to be in the spotlight, which is another reason I wanted the team to say something before the game started today.

“More like they’re waiting to figure out if their money maker can still make them money.”

“That, too, but the only thing you need to worry about is getting a clean bill of health from Murphy. Have you been keeping up with your workouts?”

“Of course, I have,” I growl, my hands flexing at my side. “I’ve done everything he has asked of me since I woke up from surgery.”

“Good. Just keep doing what you’re doing, and you’ll be back on the ice in no time. The Timberwolves need another Stanley Cup to add to the trophy case.” Remy drops into a seat and stares at me, waiting for me to make another excuse, but I keep my mouth clamped shut.

“Now that we have that out of the way, that’s not what I came here to tell you.”

I raise my eyebrow. “Isn’t it my lucky day? What other amazing news do you have for me?”

“The Wolverines are looking to trade Cole.”

That statement knocks the wind right out of my sails. My mind races, attempting to make sense of what Remy just said. “That doesn’t make sense. He’s their best offensive player and had almost as many goals as I did last year.”

“I know, and that’s the problem. He’s almost as good as you. I know you joke around with Beau about being the second-best Hendrix brother, but it seems the Wolverines are thinking the same thing about Cole.”

“I’m not playing for the Wolverines. I’d rather retire.”

“I know that, and so do they, but they’re hoping to light a fire under Cole’s ass by threatening to do so.”

This wouldn’t be the first time that a team threatened a trade to get a player to play to their full potential. However, the problem is that Cole has played for the Wolverines since being drafted at eighteen. He’s been in the starting lineup for the last ten years, skating circles around all of his teammates. According to Remy, he’s even offered to take a huge pay cut to stay on the team, but no dice. What the fuck are they thinking?

“Those motherfuckers. What can we do?”

“We? Nothing. Cole is dead set on staying a Wolverine. He’s training harder than I’ve ever seen him train before, but we both know they want something from him.”

Remy stares at me, not saying a word when an idea comes to mind. “Me. They want me so Cole can stay on the team.”

“You got it.”

“They know Cole and I haven’t spoken much to each other since the night before he signed with them, right?”

“I haven’t the foggiest. But what they do know is how loyal you are to your family. What big brother would let their little brother be traded, or worse, become a free agent, when all he needs to do is change teams?”

“Motherfucker!” I shout, flinging the chair beside me against the wall. They have fucked with the wrong Hendrix. I pace back and forth in the room like a caged animal, my mind racing to find a solution that keeps Cole a part of the Wolverines and me in a Timberwolves uniform.

“It’s a genius plan. I also have a feeling they are to blame for the rumors that you’re retiring.” I turn my fury and direct it at Remy. “Before you completely lose it, I’m working on a plan to keep you both where you are. But might I suggest you have a conversation with your brother?”

“I wish it were that simple.” I pull in a deep, calming breath, rubbing my hand across the back of my neck. “I’ll see if Beau will talk to him. Maybe he can get some information out of him about what’s being said around the locker room.”

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