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Will was skating off the ice after a long practice when he was greeted by one of the Falcons head office minions. The kid couldn’t have been more than twenty and was standing in the corridor, watching the guys file past him, not even noticing he was there. When Will approached, he gave a timid wave.
“Mr. Cavallo?” he asked timidly. “I was told to meet you down here. Mr. Stewart would like to see you in his office right away.”
“Mr. Stewart or Ms. Stewart?”
“Mr. Stewart,” the kid stammered.
“What’s your name?”
“Kevin.”
Will nodded then put his hand on the kid’s shoulder. “Kevin, we’re a bunch of normal guys. Don’t be so nervous.”
Kevin smiled. “I’ve never come down here before. I started a few weeks ago and I’m in awe of all you guys.”
“Hang out here more often. We’re all pretty friendly.”
“Thanks. Don’t forget, Mr. Stewart wants to see you immediately. He said that you’re not supposed to see Allie first. I don’t know who Allie is, but I figured you did.”
“No worries, I understand.”
Will knew Eddie was in town. He’d never been asked to meet with him before, but that was then, before Allie. He showered, dressed and made his way up to the offices. Eddie’s executive assistant was seated at her desk typing away on her keyboard, oblivious to Will standing there. He cleared his throat and she looked up.
“I’m supposed to meet with Mr. Stewart.”
“Mr. Cavallo. I’ll let him know you’re here.”
She picked up her phone while Will milled around. Nerves bubbled up in his stomach. He had a feeling he knew why he’d been summoned. Eddie had the power to do whatever he wanted and it worried Will.
“You can go in, Mr. Cavallo.”
Will took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. He grabbed the doorknob and stepped inside. Eddie was sitting behind his desk, his reading glasses pulled down his nose. He looked up at Will and pointed at the seat across from him. Will dutifully sat, folding his hands together in case they shook.
“Hello, Will. Thank you for coming so promptly.”
“Hello, Mr. Stewart.”
“Please call me Eddie. You’re probably wondering why I called you to my office.”
“I think I know why.”
He took off his glasses and set them down on his desk. “A lot has happened these past few months, and I thought we better talk before the season is over and you go on your merry way,” Eddie said, looking Will right in the eye. His gaze intimidated Will more than he thought possible.
“I know this is about Allie.”
“Correct. I’m not sure how much Allie has shared with you about her past, but her father walked out on her when she was young and that’s when I stepped in. I’ve always considered her like my own child, and I look out for her as much as I do my own two kids. I want to see her happy and right now she’s very happy. The problem is that you are a large part of that happiness.”
“Eddie, I know—”
“I wasn’t finished,” Eddie continued.
Will sank back and remained silent.
“I don’t know where you’re coming from. Is Allie a bit of fun for you? A challenge? Do you get a high from the risk? Or do you genuinely care for her?”
“I love her, Eddie.” Will couldn’t believe those words had left his mouth, but they’d been so easy to say. She was the only woman he’d ever said it about and meant it.
“The two of you haven’t been together long. How can you know you love her?”
“I just do. When it’s right, there’s no doubting it.”
“And what makes you think you’ll feel that way a year from now? Even six months from now? I know how you guys behave. I know how a lot of men behave. You will not do that to my Allie. She’s smart and has a heart of gold. You will not jade her. You will not destroy or break her heart.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
Eddie folded his arms and gave Will a long look. “I’m grooming Allie to run the Falcons. I realize she has a long way to go, but her climb cannot be interrupted. I will not let her throw away a career or her life for you or for any man. You’re going to have to make some tough decisions, Will. If it comes down to it, will you sacrifice your career for her? If you’re found out, I’ll have to trade you and the relationship will be over. She will not follow you. You will not let her. Or you will have to walk away from the game you love. I wonder if you’ve considered the stakes. You’re thirty-two years old, you could easily have another five or six years left in your career. Maybe more. Would you give that up for her?”
“We haven’t come to a point where we’ve had to deal with it.”
“You realize that if it does happen, you won’t have weeks or even days to think about it. The decision will have to be made instantly.”
Will wrestled with a lot of thoughts in his head. He tried desperately to come up with another solution that would include keeping them together and saving his hockey career, but he was coming up with nothing. “If I had to, I’d walk away from the game.”
“That’s the right answer, but I’m a bit worried how long it took you to say it.”
“I was trying to find a way to have my cake and eat it too,” Will said, attempting to lighten the atmosphere.
“The only person around here eating cake will be me.”
Will didn’t know if he was joking around but decided not to continue the game. “I’ll make sure that we never have to make that decision.”
“Do you know how long it took me to find out about the two of you? Days. If your affair comes out, the fallout will be enormous.”
“I know.”
“We’re going to have to set a few rules. If you do anything at all to hurt my Allie, I’ll destroy your career. You’ll never play another game in this league. Is that clear?”
“Yes.”
“I went to bat for the both of you. I prevented the trade for her, not you, but I’m sure my interference raised a lot of questions. That means the two of you will need to be even more careful. One slip up and it’s over.”
“I understand.”
“You don’t want to let me down, Will.”
“I won’t.”
“And you won’t tell Allie about this conversation. She doesn’t need to know about this.”
“You have my word.”
“And if you have any doubts at all, you can end things with her now, before too much damage is done. But don’t wait too long. She’s already invested too much in you already.”
Will left Eddie’s office and disappeared before anyone else saw him.
#
WITH THE TEAM IN LAST place and a first overall draft pick all but assured, the last few games were tough ones. Will tried to pump everyone up, to tell them to win the last two games for the fans, but all he got back was grumbling. Their own captain was more interested in talking about his summer vacation and all the golf courses he planned to hit.
Nine guys were hitting the free agency market. Will didn’t expect any of them to be back and when they took the ice for their final game, the crowd gave a muffled and mostly muted cheer. There were more empty seats than filled ones. A part of Will got sentimental. He hated seeing a season end. A good chunk of the guys wouldn’t return and he hated that part of the game. But the Falcons needed a clean slate. From what Allie had told him, Eddie planned to blow the team up. As he skated around the ice for warmup, he wondered who was safe. Baker? Patterson? Jack? Gagnon? Anyone?
Like every other game, the Falcons put in very little effort and lost 6-1 to Calgary. As the guys filed back into the locker room, he wondered if Allie was the reason he was staying. One call to Graham and he could be gone in a second, but that meant leaving her behind. That wasn’t going to happen.
“What are your plans this summer?” Jack asked.
Will figured he was safe. Eddie would keep the young talent, at least until they got too expensive. “I think I’ll stick around here a while. How about you?”
“Vikki and I are going to give it another shot. She’s going back home with me to meet my folks. I know you think I’m crazy, but I love the girl. She gets me.”
Will wasn’t about to argue. The only way Jack would learn his lesson was when Vikki finally gave up on him and met some new guy. Then he’d get it. The hard way, of course. “I hope it works out for you guys.”
“I never asked how it went with that chick you had in your room. You still see her?”
“Yeah, but I’m keeping it quiet for now. She doesn’t like the attention.”
“That’s cool of her. Most of the chicks around here want the fame and fortune.”
“That’s true.”
“I’ll see you when we do our last team meeting.”
The guys filed out of the locker room one by one. Will made sure he was the last one to leave. He gathered a few things and walked down the long and empty corridor to his car. He had a feeling big things were about to happen. Allie had gotten through to Eddie and he could only hope that the team would be reinvigorated.
#
TWO DAYS LATER WILL cleaned out his locker. All the guys were there, signing memorabilia and saying their goodbyes. They were also talking. Eddie had fired the entire coaching staff. He’d also fired the marketing director, chief financial officer and chief executive officer. Will expected more casualties. The only one spared seemed to be Tyler Strewchuk.
Will waved to the guys but Patterson caught him on the way out.
“I wanted to say goodbye in case I’m not back next year. I have a lot of respect for you, and I’d hate if you left before I got to say that.”
“You getting all sentimental?” Will asked, trying to lift the mood.
“You never know what could happen. I’m getting the feeling this team is going to look a whole lot different next year. I think old man Stewart finally woke up.”
“It definitely looks that way.”
Patterson extended his hand and Will shook it. “It’s been a pleasure and I hope to be on the same team with you next year.”
“Me too.”
Will packed up his car then made his way upstairs to Allie’s office. Kyle and his team were overseeing the players’ departures and making sure the fans didn’t bother them. Will found that amusing. There were more journalists than fans milling around.
Will stepped into her office and closed the door behind him. Allie had already drawn the blinds. He kissed her cheek and she smiled. He noticed that about her. She smiled when she saw him and that made him feel good. He’d become accustomed to scowls and pouts. Sometimes both.
“Was that depressing?” she asked.
“Yeah. I think a lot of guys see the writing on the wall.”
“More firings are about to come. We’re going to have a skeleton staff around here until the vacancies are filled, but Eddie promised to hire good people. He’s dumped a lot of money into the Falcons coffers and Tyler is pretty happy about it.”
“As sad as the wake was downstairs, I have a gut feeling that next year will be better.”
“How can next year be any worse than finishing last?”
“Good point.”
“Why don’t we order in tonight? Have a nice evening? I can help you make more room for my things, or we can find something else to do,” she said, a sly smile spreading across her lips.
“What time were you thinking?”
“Six?”
“Are you going to stay the night?”
“If you want me to.”
“I always want you to.”
“In a few days you won’t be able to get rid of me.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
He got up to leave and Allie called him back for a long kiss. He wanted her right there but restrained herself.
“Will,” she said, grabbing onto his arm. She stuffed a few papers in his hand. “Just in case anyone wonders why you were in my office.”
He nodded. “See you in a few hours.”
#
WILL DIDN’T NEED TO make space for Allie. He had more than enough for her, but it gave him the opportunity to purge junk he’d kept over the past year. He was packing his donate piles in boxes when Graham showed up. He was in town for a few days and it was time he finally met Allie.
“What is Stewart doing to this team?”
“I think it’s called rebuilding,” Will replied.
“I know you don’t want to hear this, but this is your last chance to get out of there. Now Colorado is interested.”
“Why do you want me out of here so badly?”
“You know what I hear when someone says rebuilding? I hear at least another season in last place. Possibly two or three. Will, you’ve got another few good years. Maybe three before the dreaded decline starts. Do you want to be stuck in St. Paul?”
“Yes, so stop asking. Do you want a beer? A muzzle?”
“It must be going well with the Stewart woman.”
“I’d say so.”
“Do you see a future with her?”
Will sorted through the piles. Some of the items had value. There were game pucks, some things given to him by other players. Those things he could give to charities that could auction them off.
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Here’s a newsflash. As long as you’re playing you can’t have a real future together. No marriage and no baby carriage unless one of you is prepared to walk away from their career.”
“You’re so cynical.”
“No, I’m realistic. Keep that in mind.”
Will stopped sorting and went to his kitchen. Graham followed closely behind. Will handed him a cold beer from the fridge and got one for himself. He then checked on his roasting chicken and potatoes. He still had a salad to make.
“Since you have an inside source, what does Eddie have planned?” Graham asked, gulping back his beer.
“No idea.”
“No pillow talk?”
The muscles in Will’s neck tensed. “Graham, I have a lot of respect for you, and I appreciate your friendship, but you’re starting to cross the line. I care about Allie and all you seem to do is criticize my relationship with her.”
“I’m sorry,” Graham said, his tone softening. “I worry about you, that’s all. We’ve been friends a long time, and I don’t want to see you get burned.”
“We’ve been together five months and so far so good. I don’t need you to worry about me.”
“Okay, okay, but if there is anything you think I should know, don’t keep it a secret. I want what’s best for you.”
Allie walked through the door, the same beautiful smile on her face that lit up any of his dark moods. He didn’t care about the risks or the future. He lived in the moment.
“Graham, come meet Allie,” Will said.
They met up with her in the living room. She smiled at Graham and shook his hand. Graham pasted on a fake smile, but Will was confident it would soon be replaced by a genuine one.
“Graham, this is Allie. Allie, this is my horrible agent.”
They shook hands.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said.
“Likewise,” Graham replied.
“Why don’t I get Allie some wine while the two of you get to know each other?”
Will was worried leaving them alone together, but it was best this way. He wanted Graham to see the real side of Allie, without Will’s interference. He took his time getting her wine and took a few extra minutes to prep the salad. When he returned, the two of them were in an intense but friendly discussion about the Falcons.
“And you really think this team is finally going to turn around? There is no precedence for this,” Graham said skeptically.
“I’m sure of it. Eddie is serious this time. He wants to hire an experienced coach and a GM who can work with the crap he has. He’s realized he can’t let the team go on the way it is. The Falcons will be a new team next year.”
Will handed Allie her wine.
“And you’re convinced of this?”
“I’ve known my uncle all my life. When he gets something in his head, he doesn’t screw around.”
“I hope you’re right. I’ve got two clients wallowing on this team.”
“I’m one hundred percent confident.”
They sat down to dinner and Will watched Allie win Graham over by the minute. Maybe he’d finally lay off Will and give him his blessings. They talked late into the night when Graham finally glanced at his watch.
“It’s after midnight! I have to go. I have a flight at six in the morning. Allie, it was a pleasure to meet you. I’m sure I’ll see you this summer up at Will’s cabin. That’s if he invites me and my family.”
“You’re always invited.”
Will walked him to the elevator while Allie stayed behind to clean up the last of the dishes. They stood outside the massive door, but Graham didn’t get on just yet.
“Okay, she’s not that bad,” Graham said begrudgingly.
“Not that bad? That’s the best you can come up with?”
“She’s the exact opposite of what I expected.”
“And that was?”
“Some similar version of Jen. I can’t tell you how happy I am that she’s nothing like her. She’s a good one, Will.”
“I told you.”
“I still think this is risky. I want you to proceed with caution, but she doesn’t seem like the type to screw your over.”
Will patted Graham on the back. “I’m not worried.”
“We’ll talk in a few weeks. Call me if anything comes up.”
Graham got on the elevator and Will returned to his loft. He found Allie putting the last of the dishes in the dishwasher. He put his arms around her, gently kissing her forehead.
“That was intense,” she said. “It was like being interviewed for a job.”
“He’s looking out for me. Like an overprotective dad.”
“He’s nice. I like him.”
“Good.”
“I’m going to hit the sack. Unlike you, I still have to work in the morning.”
She kissed him goodnight and he finished cleaning up. He wanted to hurry up so he could get into bed and sleep next to the woman he loved.