Page 34 of Trade Deadline

When I did, I found a glow-in-the-dark golf place that looks like a lot of fun and then made a reservation at Fire Garden, one of the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago, known for their exquisite tacos.

“Where’d you meet him?”

“Jeez, what’s with the twenty fucking questions?”

Hayden glowers at my snarky response. “Because as your friend, I want to learn more about who the fuck has managed to capture your attention when you’re usually like a kid in a candy store. As your agent, I need to know whether or not I should be concerned about what this may mean for your career.”

I sigh. “I met him at a game.”

“A game?”

I nod. “Yeah… He’s a fan.”

Hayden’s eyes go wide. I can see the wheels in his head turning through the screen.

“Don’t go there. If he wanted to fuck me over, he would have said yes the first time I asked him out, and he would have climbed into bed with me then and there. He’d have been like the rest of them,” I say defensively. “I like that he was attracted tome, not just the hockey player.”

“Well, from an agent standpoint, I have to say be careful, keep your wits about you, and please,pleasedon’t do anything stupid, but as a friend…” He smiles. “I’m fucking happy for you. I can tell that you really like him because you’ve lost that arrogant-as-fuck attitude you usually have.”

I flip him off and laugh.

“Thanks, Hayden.” I run my hand across my chest, rubbing my shoulder. “I just want it to go well, you know? I wanna show him that what he sees online isn’t the real me.”

“And I’m sure he will, but you need to remember that it will take time. He’ll probably have some doubts, which is understandable, and he probably won’t be sure which one is the real you, but if you like him as much as you seem to, he’ll get there.”

I can only hope.

Wanting to steer the conversation away from me, I ask, “How’s everything back in Cali?”

Hayden sighs and runs his hand through his overgrown hair. “Stressful, to be honest.”

“What’s up?”

“She’s making my life hell, arguing over silly things. Even my lawyer is getting tired of her.”

I frown.

His wife was having an affair, and now Hayden is in the middle of a bitter divorce.

“I’m sorry, man. You know you’re welcome here anytime you need an escape.”

He chuckles. “Thanks. I might have to take you up on that. Is your mom visiting for Christmas?”

“Yeah, she is. You’re welcome to come; you know she’ll love fussing over you.”

He smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Thanks for the invite, but I’ll probably hide out here and go surfing for the day.”

“Livin’ the dream!”

“You bet.” He grins.

I want to bring up the looming gray trade cloud, but I’m afraid of his answer.

“Just ask me whatever it is you’re stewing about,” Hayden prompts.

I take a deep, shaky breath and ask, “Has there been any talks about a possible trade?”

He sighs. “Other teams want you, but they haven’t put a tasty enough offer on the table. I know Coach wants to keep you, so long as you keep your name clean, but it’s not completely off the table.”

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