Page 45 of Power Play

“Dumoulin, thanks for coming in.” I shook hands with Coach Romney and then our general manager and the team owner and followed them into a meeting room.

It wasn’t often I saw these men, at least not from a talking distance. Sometimes they watched practice, but they never came down to address us.

I sat next to Keith and waited for the bomb to drop.

“We normally don’t make these decisions until we have a better idea of what’s going to happen at the draft,” Romney started. “But it was unanimous.”

I looked around at the men who held my future in their hands and waited.

“We’d like to extend your contract for four more years,” the owner announced, and all the air in my body left in a swift motion.

“Really?” I gasped. Four years?

Keith squeezed my shoulder and held a paper for me to see. A four-year contract with nearly double my previous salary. I fought to keep my composure, be professional.

“Thank you very much. I appreciate the vote of confidence. I want nothing more than to continue to be a member of the Fury franchise.”

“We’re glad to hear that.” Coach smiled at me and stood. “Enjoy your break. We’ll be back before you know it.”

“Thank you.” It seemed to be the only words I knew how to say as I stood and shook hands with everyone in the room.

Keith patted my back. “We’ll go over the rest of the details later and get it signed.”

I nodded. “Sounds good.”

“I’m proud of you.” He walked me to the door, and I floated through the office in a daze.

A few faces watched me, some smiled while others looked curious. Should I shout the news? Jump on the nearest desk and start a victory dance?

What was the proper reaction to your dreams coming true?

“Hi, Dumoulin.” I turned at my name to see Chloe walking toward me. Her son was once again held against her chest in a complicated looking wrap. It seemed comfortable for the tiny baby, snoozing away while Chloe worked and made demands.

“Hey.” I paused, and she reached me.

“I saw you had a meeting with the big guys. All good?”

She was being vague for a reason. I couldn’t discuss things until they were finalized, but I nodded once.

She winked. “Good. We need you around here.”

“Chloe, is this what you’re thinking?” Taylor walked out of Chloe’s office holding a tablet in her hands.

She looked up and started. “Oh. Sorry, I didn’t know …”

I waited for her to finish but she just stared at me.

“Jason, you’re the first to meet the Fury’s newest employee.” There was a glint in Chloe’s eyes. Like she knew exactly what was going through my brain.

Panic. Confusion.

I shook my head. “I …”

“You two need to work on your communication skills.” She smirked.

“Sorry, I’m a little off today.” Understatement of the year. It was only two in the afternoon, and I’d been through every emotion. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

Taylor gave a small smile. “Me neither, but I guess I should get used to seeing you and the rest of the guys more often.”