Page 20 of Finding the Forward: Part Two
“Oh, good.” Coach Atkins didn’t leave. He stroked his chin, which meant he had more to say.
Grif wasn’t fine. It had nothing to do with Verity and everything to do with what happened on the bleachers, along with whatever tests the doctor was supposed to discuss with him yesterday, but postponed.
Not that I could tell Coach that.
“Um, Grif’s happy here, right? With you all and his girl.” His voice grew low as he leaned in, raking a hand through his graying hair.
“Of course he’s happy being a Knight. Is there a reason for him not to be?” My voice quieted. “Is that why it’s taking so long for the pack contract to be negotiated? Management’s still not happy with the way he’s playing?”
Given the silence, I’d wondered if they still wanted to get rid of Grif. We still had a couple of months until the trade deadline.
“I’m happy with how he’s playing, and as far as I know, everyone else is. Sure, it was a little rocky at the beginning, but he rose to the challenge.” Coach Atkin’s frown deepened. “I’m not part of pack contracts other than being asked if I recommend it–which I did. All I know is that I was asked who we might look at to fill Grif’s place.”
“Shit. I’ll be honest, Coach, I don’t know if Dean can take being away from Grif again.” Not only because they’d bonded with each other.
But the Knights never wanted Grif, anyway. He’d taken apay cutto be a Knight. This entire season had been a race to get the pack contract in place so we could sleep at night.
“I know.” Coach’s look grew grim. “Dean’s looking to have a record season. I’m guessing that has a lot to do with having his pack together. I’d hate to lose you three. As would the team. And not simply because we have a real chance of going all the way this year.”
Was he trying to tell me something? Or just being heartfelt?
“We like being Knights, Coach. Grif included. Like Dean, the only team he’d want to leave for would be the Royals and that’s simply because of childhood nostalgia,” I told Coach, though it wasn’t like he hadn’t heard this before.
“Okay. I wanted to check. Boston. Not say… Rockland?” His look went sly.
Oh. Relief sluiced over me. Someone must have heard Grif and Verity talking on the bleachers. Grif had mentioned them joking about Spencer buying teams.
“If this has to do with Verity’s sister’s pack buying the Daredevils and trading us to them so Verity will work for Compass BioTek, I’m pretty sure it’s a joke. Not to mention she’s several years from finishing her PhD.” By then, we might be looking to retire. Though the Daredevils were a decent team, and Rockland was a nice place. I’d live there for a while if it made everyone happy.
“A joke, okay.” He nodded. “Got it. That was making people a little nervous.”
“We like being Knights, Coach. We just want to get our pack contract and be happy. A lot of things are waiting on that,” I admitted honestly.
“Like I said, I’d hate to lose you three.” He patted my shoulder and walked down the hall.
I got my phone, and I went upstairs into a small conference room that was often used by the goalies and called my agent. I’d also gotten a text to call him.
“Stu, what’s up?” I asked, sitting in one of the rolling chairs, belly clenching.
“That’s what I wanted to ask you. Most specifically, why am I trying to get a pack contract when one of your pack members clearly doesn’t want it?” Stu Thomas of Venture Management asked, sounding genuinely puzzled, not pissed.
Stu had been my agent since the very beginning. He knew my high school coach back in Toronto. He’d been Dean’s agent for several years.
“You’re the second person to ask me this today, the first being our coach. This is news to me because at breakfast this morning, Grif asked when he should bug his agent again about the pack contract.” I frowned at my phone as I texted Grif.
Me
You want a pack contract, right?
“Huh. Chet’s made it nearly impossible to schedule a meeting. He misses most of them, and when he attends, he makes it seem like Grif’s unhappy andwantsout,” Stu replied.
“Chet’sholding up the contract?” I rubbed my forehead. Why would he do that? Not that it actually surprised me.
Grif
Yeah. Does someone think I don’t?
Where are you? I’m going to hit the small rink and practice some more.
