Page 2 of Famous Last Words
David Ferris shifts in his chair. “Mr. Mason, on behalf of the National Hockey League, and the Department of Player Safety, I am hereby approving your New York Thunder contract.”
“Hell yeah, baby!” Andy explodes with an inappropriate cheer, punching his fist in the air like he’s at a goddamn baseball game.
I release the breath I’ve been holding, somehow keeping my cool despite the fact that I could actually cry right now.
“However—” David offers my agent a warning glance, “—we have made an adjustment to the contract.”
“What?” Andy sits up straighter, clearing his throat. “It’s notyourcontract. You can’t do that.”
“As the governing body, I can assure you we can, Mr. Hoffman,” David says, his tone assertive. “We’re imposing a twelve-week probationary period. If within that time you doanythingthat goes against the terms of your contract, we will deem it null and void, and you’ll be released not only from New York but from the league altogether.”
Andy scoffs, looking around me to Chris Garret, the Thunder’s GM.
Chris offers nothing but a resigned shrug in response.
“We’ve also included a clause that requires mandatory weekly drug and alcohol testing to be completed here, on site, by a third party every Tuesday, with the exception of away games, in which case Mr. Mason will report to a testing site as nominated by us, in whatever city he is in at the time.”
Andy takes a breath, and I can tell he’s on the verge of an objection, but before he can say anything, I place a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
“I’ll do it,” I say.
Andy’s eyes are wide as he leans in, whispering, “Robbie, at least let me speak to legal first.”
I shake my head, keeping my gaze set firm on David Ferris, as I stand and clear my throat. “I’ve got nothing to hide,” I begin. “I know I’ve done some shitty things the last few months, but I maintain my innocence when it comes to drugs. I’ve never touched them, and I never will. And I’ll do whatever I need to do to prove that, because hockey’s literally all I’ve got. It’s all I’ve ever been good at. It’s all I know, and Icannotlose it. You have my word that I will not do anything to risk my future or risk further tarnishing the reputation of the league.”
With a hard exhale, David Ferris shuffles the papers sitting in front of him, avoiding my eyes. “Well, I hope so, Mr. Mason. For your sake.” He glances around at his colleagues. “Thank you, gentlemen.”
Andy stands and reluctantly shakes the hands of a few of the men as they begin filing out of the meeting room, but all I can do is sink back into my chair, elbows on my knees, head in my hands, collecting myself as best as I can because, man, that was a close one.
As we wait for Andy’s car, I stand with my arms folded across my chest, sunglasses on despite the gray, gloomy day, baseball cap pulled low in an attempt to conceal my identity from the hordes of people walking up and down the busy sidewalk.
“Great job, Hoffman.” Chris Garret shakes Andy’s hand before looking at me. He slaps me on my shoulder, nodding once. “We’ll see you on the ice for your first practice tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir.” I nod, standing a little taller and shaking his hand. “And thank you. For everything.”
He offers me a pointed look, leaning in a little closer to be heard over the Midtown traffic. “You just scored yourself a second chance, kid. Now’s your time to prove to everyone who trashed you over the last few months that you’re not that bad guy you’ve been made out to be. Don’t fuck it up.”
Chris slaps my shoulder again before turning and walking to the car that idles at the curb to collect him, and I silently thank whatever God may or may not exist because he’s right. Second chances don’t come by often. I can’t fuck this up.
“This is Hoff.” Andy answers his cell phone like a cranky bastard, and while I wait, I take my phone from the pocket of my jeans, texting Ma.
Me: Hey Ma, just got out of the meeting. The board approved my contract. Barely. But I’m officially part of the New York Thunder.
Her reply comes through almost instantly, and I know that’s because she’d have been sitting around waiting with bated breath.
Ma: Oh, hon. I knew they would. I’m so happy. Something tells me this is going to be the best thing that’s ever happened to you.
I can’t help but smile. Going from the top team for the last three years in a row to the team that’s come dead last for the last two regular seasons is less than ideal, but I know she’s just trying to make me feel better. It’s what she does.
“I need to check… hold on.”
Andy nudges me, and I look up from my messages to find him pressing his phone against his chest, leaning in closer. “That apartment you liked. The one in Chelsea with the parking spot?”
My brows knit together. “What about it?”
“It’s the listing agent.” He indicates his phone. “We can go look at it today.”
I offer a noncommittal shrug.
