Page 3 of Shot on Goal at a Second Chance
Panic flashes in her eyes. “Are you going to fire me?”
I hold my hand up toward herto stave off the distress rolling over her expression. “No, not at all. I’m just a firm believer in figuring out which hat suits a person best and letting them wear it well, so to speak.”
“Oh, okay.” She hesitates. “I love helping people. Is there something I can help you with now?”
I point to the drawer.
Her eyes pop open wider. “Right! The ants! I’ll get the spray.”
“Thank you.” I return to the ant-infested desk and check out the chair, in case it harbors some kind of pest or an old booby trap left over from a bygone era, then sit carefully, cringing as the base creaks.
Dad would have said a little grease would take care of it. He was always the handy one. I was more of a visionary.
And right now, I’m envisioning a whole new office filled with bug- and creak-free furniture.
CHAPTER 2
Zach
“Can’t we do any better?” Appetite gone, I push my plate away and shift in the unforgiving restaurant chair again, relieving the ache radiating from my knee—the gift left over from a career-ending hockey injury that keeps on giving.
After ten years of paying my dues in broadcasting, I thought I’d be a sports analyst for ESPN by now. That was my goal after I left professional hockey, and working in Connecticut would put me closer to my niece, who’s a freshman in college.
Laney was the five-year-old curveball life threw me early in my NHL career. I promised my sister on her deathbed that no matter where hockey took me, her daughter would be my priority, and I intend to keep that promise even if she’s a young adult now.
“This is a great offer, Zach. The ECHL just extended its media partnership with SportsCentral. Last season, they delivered coverage to over four million fans. Thinkof it as a launching point.” Chase shoves a fork full of salad into his mouth.
“I thought my JP was supposed to be my launching point.” I give him a pointed yet somewhat pained look.
Chase has been with me since my days as a hockey player. Over the years, our business relationship has grown into a friendship, but right now, I think I’d rather hear from my friend than my agent.
“You really think this is a good move from my current gig?” I’ve enjoyed my time at JP Entertainment & News, doing sports highlights. But I wanted something to sink my teeth into and use my data skills. A bigger challenge with a matching payoff. And I don’t just mean financial. I’ve managed my investments well enough to choose a job I love over one that I need, even with Laney’s college tuition.
“Yes. They want you, Zach. Big time. They’re giving you everything you wanted in your contract without arguing. It’s one of the fairest deals I’ve ever negotiated for you.”
“All right. So what’s the plan? When and where do I start?”
“An ECHL team based in Sarabella, Florida.”
I fiddle with the butter knife, turning it over again and again. If he says it’s the Florida Sun Kings, I may have to rethink this deal. The last thing I want to do is to analyze and regurgitate the sordid details of what went down with the team and its coach last year. The press did an exemplary job of that. No point rehashing what’s already out there.
Besides, the scandal surrounding that team alone willcreate a barrier that may prove insurmountable—empty seats won’t pay the players and keep the lights on. If the new owner can’t turn things around with the fans, which would take a miracle at this point, the Sun Kings could lose their kingdom for good.
“They’re assigning you as lead analyst, and right now, the Florida Sun Kings are hot news.”
And there it is. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Mentally, I’ve already left JP, so I don’t see myself staying put. Might as well accept my fate. “Fine. Give me the details.”
Chase hurriedly chews his food and swallows. “Fantastic!”
The guy lives for these kinds of contracts. Who am I to take his fun away?
“SportsCentral wants to do a profile on the new owner because she’s kind of known in the industry.” Chase clears his throat. “Remember that old coach of yours? Sam Piedmont?”
The coach who had the biggest impact on my life? No way could I forget him. But that was a lifetime ago. And I certainly never forgot his daughter.
“Yeah. I remember Sam. I heard he passed away last year.”
“Yeah, that was a sad day. His daughter, Rebecca, just recently bought the team.”
