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He hated how he’d left it with Allie. It was eating him up inside and he couldn’t get her off his mind. He nursed his second beer while he waited for Graham. The Falcons were in New York and they picked Will’s hotel lounge to meet.
“Sorry I’m late,” Graham said, slapping down his briefcase. “I had a conference call that I couldn’t get out of.”
“I haven’t been waiting that long.”
“I was stuck with a twenty-year-old kid with some talent and his parents who think he’s worth a lot more than he is. They want him to hold out next season if he doesn’t get millions. Parents are the worst.”
“I don’t know how you do it. That would drive me crazy.”
“It pays the bills.”
Graham motioned for the bartender and ordered his usual rum and Coke. He took off his trench coat then gave Will a long, hard look.
“Why the sad face?”
“I’m okay.”
“Bullshit. I told you that we can get you out of St. Paul.”
Will shook his head. “It’s not that. Remember I told you about Allie Stewart?”
Graham groaned. “Tell me you didn’t.”
“I kissed her then blew her off. I’m an asshole. And now all I do is think about her.”
Graham brought his hands to his face. “Will, you’re killing me. Let me guess. Now she’s making your life hell? Does she want a pound of flesh? Has she told Eddie? What is she holding over you?”
“She hasn’t done any of that. She hasn’t done anything at all. She’s let me act like an asshole and left me alone. She’s a class act and I screwed it up.”
The bartender set down Graham’s drink and he gulped it down and ordered another before the bartender had a chance to walk away. “This is what you’re going to do. Compliment her, tell her what a smart and gorgeous girl she is, then you’re going to break it to her gently, lie about some ex-girlfriend coming back into your life, that you were confused when you kissed her. That you were on the rebound. Pour on all the syrup you can and hopefully you walk away with your balls intact.”
Will picked at the label on his beer bottle. “I don’t want to do any of that.”
“You cannot get mixed up with her. It’s career suicide.”
“What if we’re careful?”
Graham pulled his stool closer. “What if you’re insane? Will, you’re not listening to me. If the guys find out, you lose their respect. Management will find out and won’t trust you anymore, worried about all the pillow talk. I think you’re nuts to consider this. What is so special about her?”
“I don’t know,” he said, dropping his voice. “She’s smart, funny and gorgeous. And she doesn’t take shit. She’s so different from any other woman I’ve dated. She’s the anti-Jen.”
“Is this about Jen? You guys were together a long time and this Stewart woman is the worst kind of rebound.”
“Stop saying rebound. She’s not a rebound. Jen and I have been history for ages.”
“I’m telling you not to pursue this, but I have a feeling you will anyway.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
“I saw Jason sink his career, and I have a feeling you’re going to do the same thing. I know the situations are completely different, but the result will be the same. She must be one special broad.”
Will pushed his beer aside. “Let’s talk about something else. You wanted to meet with me, so I’m assuming something is up?”
“Something is up and I’m wondering if this Stewart woman is connected. I’ve been hearing some rumblings that Washington is interested in your services. I’m not sure if they’ve contacted the Falcons yet, but they gave me a courtesy call and asked if you’d be receptive to playing there.”
“Tell them I’m not interested.”
Graham groaned. “Will, hear me out. I think you shouldn’t dismiss this outright. If you leave St. Paul, then you leave this potential disaster behind. You’ll meet some other broad and this Stewart woman will be a memory. And here’s the other thing, and I just made this connection now. Could she be the reason behind this trade talk? Maybe she’s pissed at you and told her uncle you had to go?”
“I doubt it.”
“Regardless, don’t you want to play with a contender?”
Will leaned back in his seat. “Tell Washington that I’m not excited about any possible deal. I know that doesn’t mean shit. The Falcons can trade me and there isn’t a thing I can do, but if Washington gets the hint, they may back off. In the meantime, I want to know if there is any more trade talk. I do not want to leave St. Paul.”
Graham threw his hands up in defeat. “Okay, okay, I’ll back off this, and I’ll put Washington on ice, but be careful.”
Will stood up and patted Graham on the shoulder. “I know you’re worried about your commission. Trust me, I won’t screw anything up. Now go home to your family and say hello to Cathy and the kids.”
He went up to his room and was relieved to find it empty. He knew why Burrows paired him up with Jack: Will provided him with stability. He didn’t party, drink much or get into trouble, and for a new kid, on his own with the sudden infusion of cash, danger lurked everywhere.
Will pulled out a book and started reading. He brought at least a couple every road trip. He knew the guys thought he was boring, but he didn’t care. His first few years were a constant party, and looking back, he wished he had a mature influence those days.
An hour into Will’s book, Jack burst through the door, his cheeks blotchy from booze. He collapsed onto the bed without taking off his coat. “What a wild night,” he said. “I just hooked up with this hot chick. We went back to her place and the woman was insatiable.”
“I thought you were with Vikki,” Will said without looking up from his book.
“Nah. We broke up last week.”
“Again?”
“Will, the woman is fucking crazy! She’s always bugging me, trying to find out what I’m doing, who I’m with. Even tonight she called me ten times. She’s paranoid.”
Will wondered about that last statement. “I thought she was the woman of your dreams. The only girl you’d ever love. A goddess.”
“No way. I’m having fun now. I’m done with her forever.”
How many times had Will heard that? At least three since the season began and it was only two months old. “Ease up on the alcohol, okay? These puck bunnies know you’re an easy mark and being hammered makes it a lot easier to get yourself into future trouble.”
“I’m not stupid.”
“I know you’re not, but you’d hate to get a call nine months from now or find out from our doctors that she shared more than just her love.”
Jack was silent for a long moment. “You’re right, but why do you have to be a buzzkill?”
“Because I’m looking out for you.”
“You’re a good guy, you know that?”
“Thanks. Now go clean yourself up and get to bed. We have a game tomorrow and you better be ready.”