Page 3 of Heartfelt Goals

“Maybe,” Malcolm replied openly. “How would you like to extend your career another five years or so? Maybe longer?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve got a lead on something secretive going on behind the scenes, and we’ve got a chance at something new.”

“I love hockey though and…”

“It’s hockey – to be clear it’s another goalie position, but you wouldn’t be the starter.”

“What?”

“You’d be the face of the team on some media promos because you’ve got a stellar reputation with the Coyotes. They want you despite the rumors floating around – and they want you as their backup goalie.”

“I don’t know…”

“Dustin, they want someone to make the social media tours, visit the schools, and fill in for the goalie in a pinch. You are asure thing. They don’t have to train you at all, and it would give you a break physically letting some of the inflammation calm down while still keeping you in the loop – and here’s the kicker.”

“I’m holding my breath – I assure you.”

“My gosh, you are snarky, aren’t you?” his agent retorted, chuckling. “They will pay you a million a year for that handsome smile, your name, and your skills. I think they want you to help train and coach the main guy they are bringing in, but for a cool million a year…?”

“Are you serious?” Dustin asked, shocked. “That’s a bigger contract than what I have here.”

“I know. There’s a billionaire behind the scenes who wants his new hockey team to hit the ground running, and he’s ponying up some fat wads of cash.”

“I guess so…”

“Coeur and Boucher are also on their list, but you didn’t hear that from me,” his agent offered in a hushed voice.

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope. They don’t want Giroux – too much money, and he’s not a long-term investment with those knees of his. Batiste causes too many fights on the ice. Thierry is…”

“Oh my gosh – are they going through and cannibalizing the team?” he practically squawked in shock. “Why are they dissecting the Coyotes?”

“You’re hockey’s sweethearts right now – and it’s not just you. They are rounding up the best of the best across the nation. You didn’t hear this from me, but Kenneth Salas from Montreal just signed.”

“Seriously?”

“Yup. Announcements start in less than two weeks. They are doing a bunch of teasers and hinting at what is coming, but the arena is already built and…”

“Where?”

“Quebec.”

He swallowed as his mind raced. It was an incredible chance to give his body a break while still getting paid – and would extend his career long enough to give him time to come up with something else later on.

If they had signed Salas, that meant they were really going after some of the best because that man commanded huge money and had a coveted endorsement with Nike and Adidas. The media loved him because he was a beast on the ice and an overall great guy off of it. Salas was well known for holding up a finger because he always claimed he was going do sink‘one more goal than expected’… and had done it most times. The crowd loved him because of his arrogance –but even the best fell sometimes, he thought, just look at me.

“What’s the catch?” Dustin asked pointedly. “There’s gotta be a catch to all of this because no one is going to take on a nearly-washed up goalie for that kind of money – so what is it?”

“You’ve got to be married – and continue the whole ‘I’m-a-good-boy’image.”

“Welp, nice try, Malcolm. I’m not married – and not changing that status any time soon. My official answer is ‘no.’”

“Well, I have seventy-two hours to respond and…”

“Malcolm, no.”

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