Page 7 of Hard to Handle

“We can use your history with him to our advantage.”

“Using it to our advantage is one thing. What about what it means for me?” I ask, giving away what I was hiding—that he meant more to me than casual.

Snapshots of memories flicker through my mind like a tape reel. Volatile and deliciously addictive sex always highlighted—or rather lowlighted—by our inability to remain civil to one another. And despite that, I still fell for him. I still wanted to try to have something more with him.

He still let me walk away from him without a word.

“He’s who we need, kiddo,” my dad says, ripping me out of the documentary in my head. “Statistically speaking, he’s phenomenal. He’s angling to surpass records—goals, assists. He’s one of the fastest on the ice out there and his stick-handling skills are unrivaled.”

“You forgot that he’s an asshole.” I smile sarcastically.

“Aren’t we all in some way or another?” He raises his brows and returns the same smile. “Look, if he stays injury-free, he might just be one of the next greats. And having him as a client could be a huge draw for us.”

“Or he could implode and we could be stuck scrambling to salvage his career.”

“Then let’s swoop in and save him from doing that because, sure as hell, Sanderson isn’t.”

“It’s not that easy.”

“It is, Dekk. He’s coming up for a contract negotiation after this season that could net him a substantial pay increase. Pair that with his poor conduct and his closing in on some long-standing records, and we could help him get there. You could help him get there. I’ve watched him, admired him, for a lot of years, but lately, I can tell he’s struggling.”

“I am not a nursemaid, Dad.”

“Don’t I know it.” His chuckle fills the room. “I’m not asking you to be one. All I’m saying is visit him. Talk with him. Travel with the team during their next road stretch and see if you can figure it out. Sell him on the fact that you understand him when it seems Sanderson is just a stat chaser these days—picking up clients with the brightest stars, not necessarily the most talent. And you know what happens to bright stars.”

“They burn out.”

He nods, his eyes holding mine as they turn serious. “We can assert that he’ll receive more by going with us. Drop names, and give him examples of the contracts we’ve increased during negotiations.”

“And that’s why you think he’ll leave Sanderson?” I snort. “The only effect my appearance will have is him walking the other way.”

Or wanting to have sex. And that just can’t happen, not if we’re to have a professional relationship as my dad is sitting here telling me we need to have.

“You underestimate yourself, Dekker. You always have.”

Silence falls as our eyes hold. The hum of my sisters chatting in the main office filters through to us in muffles, but it’s him that holds me rapt.

“Dad? What’s going on? Is the business in trouble? Was everything okay at the doctor’s the other day? I mean . . . where is this all coming from?”

His smile is slow and soft, much like his voice when he speaks. “It’s just time for you guys to step up. Nothing’s wrong,” he says, but I don’t believe it. “Make sure you go in with a game plan. Don’t underestimate Hunter. You need—”

“Trashing bars, fights with teammates, snubbing kids . . . can’t wait.” I sigh.

“And he’s been the NHL’s MVP two years running, so I think this year is his to win the Hart Memorial Trophy. You keep pointing out the bad, but none of it is affecting his success on the ice. Find out what has affected his behavior off the ice. That’s not like him, and you know that.”

He’s right. I do know that. I’ve never seen him ignore a fan before. Especially a kid. But I can’t get emotionally involved. Not again.

“Right now, you need to focus on getting your stuff packed and making travel arrangements,” he says as he pushes his chair away from the table.

“What?”

“You heard me. You’ll have plenty of time to think about how you’re going to approach him on your flight to Chicago tonight.”

“Tonight?” I say the word but it takes me a second to digest it.

“Yes, tonight.”

“You expect me to just pick up and go, like that?” I ask, like this is something new and I haven’t done it before in the past. But this is Hunter we’re talking about. This is my secret weakness and my silent heartbreak. “I have plans with Chad tonight. His work event is a very big deal. I can’t just—”