“We didn’tgiveyou anything,” Coach says, his voice as gruff as always. “You fucking earned it, kiddo.”
I lick my lips. “I should have reached out to you all myself, rather than letting Andy handle it.”
“It’s the offseason,” Mr. Jefferson reminds me. “And you were dealing with the loss of your father.”
These guys get it, but my agent was a prick about it.
“Now,” Mr. Jefferson continues, “we would be happy to extend your contract and offer you a fuck ton of money to stay for two more years.”
I grin at him. “I appreciate that. I already have a fuck ton of money.”
He nods. “I figured you’d say that. I just didn’t want you to make a big decision like this while grieving.”
“We want to make sure you won’t regret it later,” Coach adds.
I sit back in the chair and push my fingers through my hair. I’m in my usual suit and tie, which I haven’t worn since Ray’s funeral. It’s not exactly comfortable.
“I was already considering retirement,” I admit. “Hockey is a brutal sport, and I’m thirty-five.”
“You have to hurt,” one of the trainers says with a knowing wince.
“Daily,” I confirm. “And I need to work the ranch that my father built. I need to retire before I’m so crippled up from hockey that I can’t do that anymore.”
“We’re not closing the door,” Mr. Jefferson says. “You may not play anymore, but we’ll include you in alumni games and invite you for special events. I hope you’ll consider coming. You are a part of our family.”
“I wouldn’t miss it. Thank you for including me.”
“In addition,” Mr. Jefferson continues, and I see Coach’s face droop, as if he’s sad. “We’ll be retiring your number.”
That doesn’t shock me. In fact, I’d be surprised if theydidn’tdo that.
But hearing the words puts an ache in my chest.
“Thank you.”
“No, thankyou, for taking us to seven Stanley Cups, winning us two of those, and being a damn good example of what it is to be an elite athlete, on and off the ice. You’re extraordinary, James, and I’m fuckingpissed that we’re losing you,” Mr. Jefferson says, as the rest of the room nods in agreement.
“It’s been my honor.”
I mean every fucking word.
“Let’s go to the pressroom,” Coach says as we stand. “And get this over with.”
We all file into the media room, and I’m surprised to find it’s full, with standing room only. As I look to the back, I see my entire team standing there, watching. Even guys who don’t live in Seattle during the offseason are here, and it makes the ache in my chest spread.
Christ, I’m going to miss this.
But then my eyes skim farther, and I find Willow smiling at me, tears glistening in her pretty blue eyes, and I know without a doubt that she’s where I want to be.
She’s where Ineedto be.
There’s commotion outside the door we just entered, and I scowl when I see Andy trying to bully his way in, so I excuse myself for a moment and walk out into the hallway.
“What thefuck,” Andy demands. “You were just going to do all this without me?”
“I don’t need you for this. There are no contracts, nothing for you to do.”
“I’ve been by your side for everything, and this is how you pay me back?”
