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Finally, I reach him, breathless but determined to get some answers.
“Are you ok?” He puts a hand on my shoulder.
I give him a thumbs-up in thanks, and after a few more breaths, I launch into my questions, “How much of Andrew’s salary do you get again?”
Terry blinks, clearly surprised by the subject. He reaches for the handkerchief in his pocket and starts cleaning his glasses, which are foggy from the cold sweat accumulated from my words.
“Um, Linda—”
“Emily.”
“I’m sorry. Emily,” he corrects himself, “Andrew and I need to discuss some things. He’s too valuable to the team for them to let him go that easily.”
“Can you tell me about his contract?” I press on, hoping for some clarity.
“I can’t discuss legal or financial matters with you, Emily,” Terry responds, his tone firm but polite.
I sigh, rubbing my forehead and feeling like I am indeed making a mistake. I’m about to just head back to the room, but what he says next catches me off guard.
“Who’s the bigger hockey player ever?” he continues.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes in frustration. “Why does that matter?”
“What I’m trying to say is that Andrew has stats very close to those at the top,” Terry explains, “And even though he does very well, he doesn’t have their salary. What happens when I negotiate for a much higher pay for him?”
I place a hand in front of my mouth, my eyes widening in realization of what he’s trying to do.
He really won’t take no for an answer, will he?
“I’m sure he’ll find the offer tempting,” Terry says confidently. “Now if you’ll excuse me, Emily, I need to find my seat. The game is about to start.”
He doesn’t wait for a response, turning on his heel and leaving me behind, lost in thought. As I gather my wits, I hear Alissa’s voice calling for me from the mezzanine, “Mommy! We’re going to our seats!”
I shake off my frustration, regretting that I even talked to Terry at all. It isn’t my place. It was just weighing heavily on my mind and randomly seeing Terry prompted me to talk to him. I’ll leave it be with Andrew and his lawyer to deal with. I just hope everything will be resolved soon.
I paint a smile on my face and walk back to Alissa and reach out a hand. We walk to the seats hand in hand, and I’m determined to have a fun time watching the game with my daughter.
Chapter Thirty-Three
ANDREW
It’s our last day in Chicago before flying to Canada for the start of the Conference Finals. The pool party was a blast and now Alissa is more popular than ever, and sleepier than I’ve ever seen a child be.
Terry has been trying to bribe me with talk of bigger salary figures to stay with the NHL and with him, but I’m not phased at all.
Coach approached me too and asked me what was going on. When I explained to him that I in fact want to retire after the Stanley Cup games, he tried to dissuade me, but I have my mind made up.
Emily is really concerned about it and asks me about it often, but I just reassure her as best I can.
I chuckle when I hear Alissa snoring in the guest room. Emily and I head out on the deck to have a beer and admire the sunset.
“How long have you been working in families’ houses?” Dad is in the kitchen, trying to flirt with our maid. At least she is his same age.
“Do you hear dad flirting with her?” I point towards him and Emily nods and giggles.
I rub her shoulder with my free hand. “How are you feeling?”
“It’s been a long day, but fun,” Emily says, tired. She’s wearing a floral bikini top, and tiny black shorts. “She loves you more than ever now.”
