Page 38 of Finding the Forward: Part Two
“Notice there’s a clause in the contract saying they can’t publish your salary. I’d recommend opening a new bank account today. Preferably at one not owned by the Chestertons. Go into HR and get your payment information changed. Make sure whatever automatic payments you have for Chet, and anyone else, are shut off. I’ve already reached out to the Hurricanes and the sponsors and compared things.” Stu’s brow furrowed. “I’m so sorry, but you’re being robbed.”
The realization punched me in the gut. Chetstolefrom me.
“Why? Why would he tell me they didn’t really want me? What could he hope to gain if I left the Knights? Why would he steal?” I couldn’t wrap my head around it. How could he even get away with this?
He shouldn’t be able to fake contracts and steal my money, even if his family-owned banks.
“I mean, why was he pressuring you to go to Mexico City when you wanted to be nearus? Nothing he does ever makes sense.” Dean leaned into me.
“The Tigres like their players giant. If I didn’t want to get closer to you, it could have been a good career move for me,” I replied. That was when I’d started second-guessing my career, and my desirability as a player.
“What does he gain from you losing contracts? He makes money when you do. Though someone from a family like him might not need the money. Chet has a giant sense of entitlement and little sense of reality.” Stu shook his balding head.
This was all too much. My eyes closed and my chest shuddered. Dean pulled me close.
“When did it start?” My voice shook as my eyes opened.
“After you signed back on with the Hurricanes after your rookie contract was up. It was when it started happening with sponsors, too.” Stu’s look grew intense. “You need to hire a lawyer and go after him. I know a good one that you can meet with today.”
“Ok. That seems good.” I’d trusted Chet. Defended him. Stayed with him.
For what?
“Shit, I wonder if that’s why those trades fell through. I really thought the Jersey one would work,” Jonas muttered.
That was one of the many times I’d been so close to getting near them only for it to not work last minute.
“It wouldn’t surprise me. It felt like what he did with that fútbol player, Freddie something-or-other, when his trade fell through. That’s only because I know the agent negotiating for the other player. Though he’s still with Chet and didn’t take him to court like that other player he repped,” Stu added as he took his tablet back.
“Freddie is one of Chet’s.” I remembered the hurt, the animosity, between Freddie and Verity. She’d probably brought him on. Chet used to pressure me to refer my friends.
“Are you okay with this? Taking legal action against Chet?” Jonas asked, brows furrowing with worry.
“I… I guess. More to stop him from doing it to others than anything.” It wasn’t about the money. He deserved punishment for his wrongdoings.
Chet had also robbed me of my self-worth. Did he keep it low so that I’d stay?
“Great. People like him give agents a bad name.” Stu picked up the phone.
“Wait, what was the other reason you called us in here?” I asked.
Hopefully, it was good news, unlike this mess.
Stu beamed. “Congratulations, boys, you have a pack contract. Now, let’s see if we can get this asshole out of agenting for good so he doesn’t hurt anyone else.”
Chapter Twelve
AJ
Taking my rolling suitcase out of the overhead compartment, I walked off the airplane. I’d cultivated a lot of clients in other places so that I’d have reasons to see Grif.
I hadn’t heard much from the pack today, other than they were meeting with Stu, and that tonight’s game was canceled because of a storm. This was shaping up to be a stormy winter.
Everything was fine, I was sure. I trusted Jonas. While sometimes he was a little pushy, he knew what he was doing regarding the pack, which was why he was head alpha.
Sure, I could do it. But he liked it, and I wasn’t about to fight him for it.
I had gotten a picture of Verity at a beautiful waterfall in Hawai’i. Yeah, no snow storms there.
