Page 111 of Game Changer
It’s nearly the end of August.And I still don’t have a contract.
Fuck.
I started skating with some of the guys when I got back to town.It feels great to be back on the ice again.I’ve been working out harder too, training at the gym.
I have to admit, the first time I stepped onto the ice with Chucky, I kind of wanted to drive him hard into the boards and then punch him in the face.I did none of that.I greeted him casually and pretended nothing had changed.
I fucking hate it.
I feel like I’m lying, even though I haven’t said a word to him about Molly.I don’t know what’s happened between them because I haven’t heard from Molly since the day she arrived back in Chicago.It’s killing me, but it is what it is.
For all I know they could be back together.
That only makes me want to punch him even more.
I don’t have to worry about that anymore though, because everyone else is now skating every day at the Aces’ practice facility, and I can’t.
Because I don’t have a contract.
It’s less than three weeks until training camp starts, and I’m still at the community rink, basically on my own.
It’s really bugging me, even though Paul keeps assuring me it’s fine.I’m trying not to get snarky with him, not to blame him for the delays.This happens every year to a few players.And even if I have to miss training camp, it’s not the end of the world.
I’m not so sure about that.I’m working hard, but it’s great to have other elite-level players around to push you to work harder and do better.It would be tough coming in without having that kind of preparation and time with the team.
And I want to be with the team, not practicing all by myself.This sucks ass.
I’ve had calls from the media, and I know Paul has too, not to mention Ian Yarish, the team GM.I keep telling them what Paul told me to say, that I’m not worried, I know it will get done, blah blah blah.
“Obviously you’d prefer that a deal get done before training camp?”the reporter asked.
“Well, yeah, that’s the plan.We never want to miss training camp, so that’s our goal, yeah.But nothing to panic about yet, these things just take some time.”
But I am worried.I trust Paul.I know he’s working on it.But still…
“Are you or the team waiting for someone like Charbonneau to make a deal?”the reporter asked, referring to another free agent in New York who still hasn’t signed.
I refused to comment on that and so did Paul, but it’s definitely a factor.
The dude on TSN announced the other night that the team and I aren’t even close on contract negotiations, apparently confirmed by Paul.Another sports reporter announced that other teams have reached out to the Aces about a possible trade.
I don’t want a fucking trade.I want a long-term deal here in Chicago.That’s what we’ve been pushing for.I want six years.Would I take five?Probably.Four?I don’t know.So far they’ve only offered three and not enough money.
I already knew about this from Paul, so it wasn’t a shock, but I hate that this shit is making the news.
I feel like I have no one to talk to about this.The guys with contracts are practicing together.I still see them, but I’m leery of saying anything that could get out when Paul has drilled into me how important it is to keep our negotiations private.Mom and Dad have both called, so I’ve told them what’s happening, but I kept up the positive façade I present to the media so they don’t know how much I’m freaking out.
Tonight I’m going out for dinner with Paul to get an update on their meeting today.I’m not optimistic that the news will be good.
We’re meeting at a steak house near my place, so I walk there and meet him at the restaurant.This place is upscale and expensive, but not stuffy, and the food is great.
We’re at a table for two in the dimly lit restaurant when for some reason I lift my head as the hostess shows a couple to a table across the room.
It’s Molly.
And who the fuck is that she’s with?
I frown.I don’t know the guy.His suit looks expensive.I’d say he’s about ten years older than Molly and me.Jesus.
