Page 191 of Until We Burn
“I’m honored to hear that, sir. Henry has an incredible future ahead of him.”
Todd shrugs. “So do you.”
My brows furrow. I chuckle nervously and cock my head. “Uh…what do you mean?”
Todd laughs. “I didn’t just come here to pick up my son. I had a few things to get done. Commissioner Anders reinstated me as general manager.” He waves the document holder in his hand. “For my first day back in office, I want to offer you a three-year entry-level contract to play with the Vancouver Phoenix.”
My mind blanks.
All I can hear is Diana gasping. Feel Luke and Rowan eagerly jostling my shoulders. See Uncle Manu hugging mama and papa.
I want to offer you a three-year entry-level contract to play with the Vancouver Phoenix.
I blink hard and fast. “A-Are you serious?”
“Benigno is retiring, and he made it clear he didn’t want anyone else taking his place except for you. The team needs a player like you if we’re going to make the playoffs again.” Todd’s voice sobers with respect. “I’ve been keeping an eye on you since the fallout in your first year. You’ve got grit, you’ve got ambition, and you’re the most resilient player I’ve seen on the ice in a long time. You are everything that a Phoenix needs to be.” He slightly dips his head, eyes doubtful. “That is…if you’re still interested?”
“Yes.”I laugh and eagerly nod my head. “Yes, I’d be honored to play for the team!”
Cheers erupt all around me.
Diana hugs my face and peppers kisses all over it. “I’m so proud of you, honey!”
Luke whoops and pumps his fist. “You know what this means, bro?We get to play in the NHL together!”
“We still have another year until we’re on the roster with him,” Rowan points out.
“It's the same shit, bro. Now, we just gotta get the Phoenix to snatch up Wallace.” Luke nods at Todd. “Any chance you guys are looking for a new zamboni driver?”
Rowan thwacks the back of Luke’s head.
Todd slides the folder onto a tabletop nearby and places a pen on top of it. “Whenever you’re ready.”
I take the pen. My fingers run along the barrel.
This is happening.
After years of dreaming and working to get signed, it’s finally right in front of me.
Pushing a deep breath out, I flip open the folder. The people I love surround me as I go through the contract. They stand by me up to the very last page where I finally put pen to paper and sign my name on the dotted line.
CHAPTER 76
DIANA
“Honestly, forget the Grouse Grind,”Luke groans. “You wanna test a hockey player’s physical endurance? Get him to move out all the crap from Diana’s room.”
His muscles flex as he hoists up a box of my heels and carries it to the moving truck parked outside.
After Kai signed his contract with the Vancouver Phoenix, everything changed. He moved out of the apartment in Kitsilano and bought a penthouse downtown for us.
Cleaning out Kai’s things was quick and easy.
Sadly, I didn’t have that luck.
Sunlight grazes across the mess of books, clothes, and shoes strewn across the floor.
“What are they going to do with everything else here?” Wallace asks. With his ribs still healing, he simply sits on my bed doing what he usually does: providing emotional support.
