Cynicism isnt going to help your case, Jack said.
The car pulled to a stop at a red light, and his agent leaned back into the leather seat. Thom could always count on Jack to be straight with him. And yet Thom had never been able to trust him completely. There were only three people hed ever trusted in the worldhis two brothers and his grandmother. It was a small circle, but it was all Thom had ever needed.
Jack circled the block around the office building that housed Blizzard headquarters, and when he found an empty parking spot, he smoothly pulled the car to a stop. As he switched off the ignition, he turned to Thom. Tell me what you want, Tommy. If you want to quit, Ill find a way to make it happen. If you want a trade, well get it done. Just tell me what you want.
Thom had been searching for that particular answer since the time hed walked away from his childhood. Until then, everyone else had made decisions for him. And though hed fought tooth and nail against any type of authority figure, when his life was finally his own to run, hed realized he didnt have a plan. His hockey skill was the only thing that kept him from begging for spare change on a street corner. And that wouldnt last forever.
Maybe you need a fresh start, Jack said. You could go somewhere and just clear the decks. Start over somewhere else with a new outlook.
I dont want to leave, Thom murmured.
You might not have a choice. Of course, we can decide where you might go. Your trade clause gives you final approval. But well cross that bridge when we come to it.
As they walked toward team headquarters, Thom drew a deep breath and tried to gather a positive attitude. Hed been through this beforehed make a stupid mistake, then smooth things over with an earnest apology. His skills on the ice had always balanced the scales. His crimes had been minor, his talent outweighing the consequences.
But he was getting older. He was twenty-seven, and boyish misbehavior wasnt as charming as it used to be. In truth, most of his teammates of the same age were married, some of them with children.
Jack held the front door open for him as he walked into the cool of the air-conditioned offices. Thom straightened his tie, then quickly ran his fingers through his shaggy hair. Hed shaved in an attempt to make himself look a bit more reputable, but he should have taken the time to get a haircut.
When they got to Steve McCrorys office, the receptionist was waiting, a tight smile on her face. She led them both to a nearby conference room. The room was already full, the air thick with tension. Thom cursed softly as he stepped inside. The moment he scanned the occupants, he knew he was in serious trouble.
Hed expected McCrory, the general manager, and Dave Jones, the director of player personnel. But seated at the head of the conference table was Davis Pedersen, the team owner, a formidable figure at the best of times, but now he wore a stony expression on his face.
Thom heard a soft sigh slip from Jacks mouth. This was much more serious than hed anticipated. Pedersen stood as they entered and pointed to a pair of chairs. Take a seat, gentlemen.
A ringing in Thoms ears muffled the sounds of the voices around him. Other people arrived and sat down at the table, some faces familiar, some not. Thoms gaze settled on a slender blonde who sat on the opposite end of the table. She was the only woman in the room, so it was hard not to notice her.
Her gaze met his, her pale blue eyes lingering for a moment. Thom sent her a halfhearted smile and she returned the favor. She seemed the only one in the room, besides his agent, willing to look him directly in the eye. Another bad sign.
The conversation began and Thom listened silently as all of his faults were recounted, one by one, each followed by a short dissertation on how his actions had negatively affected the image of both the league and the team.
He didnt attempt to defend himself, or explain. Instead he waited for his turn to speak, knowing theyd expect some type of apology before they moved on to the punishment.
Finally Thom opened his mouth, ready to be humble. But Davis Pedersen held up his hand. I dont want to hear your excuses or your apologies. Hell, I dont even want a promise that youll start to behave in a manner befitting the position you hold. As far as Im concerned, those would all be empty words. Youve made promises in the past, and youve broken them all. So, Mr. Quinn, heres how this is going to play out. I plan to trade your ass to the first team that pays me a decent price. Until then, I expect you to behave like a choirboy, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure that happens. If you fight me on this, Ill send you to the worst damn team in the league.
Jack cleared his throat. We have a trade approval clause, so youd have to
I dont have to do anything, Pedersen snapped. Your boy has broken his morals clause more times than I can count. He tossed a file folder across the table at Jack and the agent pulled a photo from it.
The girl sitting beside you in this photo is a teenage hooker, Pedersen said. This is going to be posted ononwhat the hell is it called?
The blonde cleared her throat. Instagram.
Right. We were contacted by a bartender at your hotel in Vegas. He informed us that this...girl has been kicked out of the place repeatedly for soliciting. And shes underage. He wanted five thousand or hes going to post the photo on the internet.
I can explain that photo, Thom said.
Davis slammed his palms down on the table, his expression fierce. I dont want a damn explanation. I want you to exercise some self-control! Pedersen stood. Were done here. If youll excuse us, we have some plans to discuss.
Pedersen led the other men in suits out of the room, but the blonde hung back. Can I get you something to drink? she asked Thom. Coffee. A soda, maybe?
Do you have any arsenic? Thom asked.
She laughed softly. No. Im afraid not. Even if we did, Im sure I wouldnt be authorized to give it to you.
Im all right, he said.
I hope so, she replied. Good luck. I hope it works out for you.
Thanks, Thom said, taking a long look at her. Who was she? She must work for the team. But doing what? He hadnt seen her at the rink; he would have remembered someone so beautiful. Hell, if he had met her, he would have found some way to seduce her. He usually didnt let an attractive woman get past him.
Dont even think about it, Jack muttered as the woman left the room.
What? Im not thinking about anything, Thom lied. Shes pretty. Who the hell is she?
You dont know? Jack asked. He shook his head and chuckled. Probably for the best.
No, really. Who is she?
Shes Malin Pedersen. Davis Pedersens only daughter.
I thought his daughter was still in high school.
She was. When you were drafted. Shes grown up.
Shes pretty, Thom said. What did you say her name was?
Malin.
Kind of a weird name, he murmured.
I believe its Swedish, Jack replied.
Malin, Thom whispered to himself.
A beautiful name for a beautiful woman. He drew a deep breath and scolded himself inwardly.
Exercise some self-control!
His bosss command echoed in his head. Yes, it was definitely a bad idea to imagine the bosss daughter naked and lying in his bed...
I believe its Swedish, Jack replied.
Malin, Thom whispered to himself.
A beautiful name for a beautiful woman. He drew a deep breath and scolded himself inwardly.
Exercise some self-control!
His bosss command echoed in his head. Yes, it was definitely a bad idea to imagine the bosss daughter naked and lying in his bed...
* * *
THIS IS YOUR FAULT, Davis Pedersen said, scowling at his daughter from across his desk as she and Steve McCrory followed him into his office.
How is this my fault? Malin asked.
I hired you to contain all this Flitter business. We never had these kinds of problems in the past. Now the moment one of our players steps out of line, theres someone there to take a photo and blast it all over the internet.
Its Twitter, Malin said. And I can only control our players and what they post. I cant control the whole world.
Then what good are you? I dont understand how something as ridiculous as that damn Flitter
Twitter, Malin corrected him again.
What?
Its called Twitter. Instagram. Snapchat. Skype. Tinder. Didnt you read the handbook I wrote for the players?
I dont need a damn handbook to tell me whats happening to the reputation of my team, and this man is dragging it into the gutter with him. I want him watched 24/7. Until we work out a trade, I want Thom Quinn on complete lockdown, and Im putting you in charge of that. If there is even a hint of troubleif a single photo of him is put on Twitterthis job you created for yourself is done and you can head back to your fashion designer friends in New York.
Malin gasped. Youre the one who begged me to come home and handle this problem for you. You said if I wanted a role in the organization, Id have to prove myself.
And so you will, her father said. Protect my investment.
Malin turned to Steve McCrory. Are you really planning to trade him? Hes one of our best players. And the fans love him. Im sure I can smooth this over. Just give me a little time.
We cant continue to let his off-ice behavior bring negative publicity to the club, McCrory said. Hes gone from drunken brawls to teenage hookers. Whats next? I dont want to wait to find out. It was my decision to trade him, and your father backs me on that.
I dont agree, she said. If you want to see a social media firestorm, wait until you announce this trade.
Once we trade him, hell be someone elses problem. Until then, he needs a watcher.
It was useless to argue. When it came to decisions about the team, McCrory was an immovable force. He was backed by her father, and there was no hope of changing his mind.
She couldnt blame her father. When he bought the franchise seventeen years before, it was a failing enterprise with the lowest attendance figures in the league. Now the club led the league in season ticket sales, merchandising and number of playoff appearances. Though theyd fallen short in the championship series last month, they were poised to make another run next year.
I can turn him around, Malin said. Ive got two months before training camp starts. Give me a chance. Maybe I can find a way to redeem him.
My mind is made up, McCrory said.
Mine, too, her father added. Why dont you go explain what we expect of him these next few weeks?
Me?
I said he needs a watcher. Thats you. Or are you not up for the challenge?
Of course. You wont regret putting this faith in me.
Malin walked out of her fathers office, her spirits deflated. Shed never really believed that her father wanted her to work for the team. It had always been an old boys club, not an atmosphere welcoming to women. But women made up 45 percent of their audience, a figure that was growing with every year that passed. Sooner or later, the old guys would need to admit that they needed a woman in the executive offices. And she was determined that woman would be her.
She found Thom Quinn where shed left him in the conference room. She glanced over her shoulder as she entered. Did your agent leave?
Quinn shook his head. No. He had to take a call.
Malin pulled out a chair at the end of the table and grabbed a phone, punching in the number of her assistant. Leah, Im in the conference room. Can you find Jason and have him come in here? Hes probably in the mail room, working on the convention mailing.
She hung up the phone and met Thom Quinns gaze, holding it for a moment longer than seemed proper under the circumstances. Malin swallowed hard. What were the circumstances? She wasnt his boss. She didnt have any power over him, at least none that didnt come directly from her father. What if he refused to do as she said? In one quick stroke, shed lose the last of her credibility with her father and any shot at a management job with the team.
So, they sent you to give me more bad news?
Bad news?
Yeah, that theyve decided to trade me to the worst team in the league?
Yes, she murmured, her gaze still locked on his. II mean, no.
He was an incredibly handsome man. That had always been part of his appeal to the female fans. The shaggy dark hair. The scruffy beard. The impossibly blue eyes. Added to that was a collection of imperfections that made him irresistiblethe scar on his lip, the slightly crooked nose.
Dragging her eyes from his face, she reached out and straightened her pen sitting beside her notepad.
Which is it? he asked. Trade or no?
Malin drew a deep breath. No, she lied. She was still determined to save him. Hed be much more amenable to her plan if he thought he had a chance to stay. Theyre going to give you another chance.
He frowned. Really?
Malin nodded. Under some conditions, she said.
What would those be?
Maybe we ought to wait for your agent.
No, please. Give me my punishment. Im willing to do what I have to do to stay with the team.
All right, Malin said. Therell be no more drinking in public. And Id advise no more drinking at all. You make stupid decisions when you drink.
He stared at her silently and she paused for a moment, waiting for a comment or a refusal. But when he said nothing, Malin forged on.
You should also probably take a break from the women, too. I dont mean to say you cant date, but consider keeping your private life more...private. She cleared her throat. And finally, were going to assign you aa personal assistant. It sounded so much better than a watcher, she thought to herself. This person will live with you and help you make the proper choices and
Youre assigning me a babysitter? he asked.
Of course not. Youre not a baby. Youre a full-grown man with a lot of decisions to make. Which is why you need a personal assistant.
He chuckled softly, shaking her head. All of this because of one photo?
If we hadnt killed that photo, you could have ended up in jail.
I knew she was a hooker, he said. And that she was underage.
What? Malin asked.
He nodded. She approached me in the bar. She looked hungry and scared. She had a black eye and a swollen lip. We started to talk and it was obvious she could do with a meal and a decent nights sleep. So I bought her dinner and rented her a room. The next morning, I stopped by her room and gave her money to go home. She took it, and as far as I know, shes back in Kansas or Nebraska or wherever she came from. I guess the guy must have snapped a picture when we were in the bar.