Page 144 of The Tryout

Before I head out, I change out of the suit I wore to work this morning. Even though I work with Jack, it’s been important to keep my job as an agent in his office and my role as Finn’s boyfriend separate. Not just to us, but also to the NHL, who has strict conflict of interest policies against me representing him. I can give him whatever advice he asks for here in the privacy of our home, but Jack is the one representing him in negotiations.

And he’s represented him quite well in this contract. There were certainly some days where I recognized it would have been impossible to be a neutral party in the discussion, as Jack pointed out that not re-signing with Minneapolis – or at least, not right away – might result in a bigger payday for Finn. And he isn’t wrong; even if Finn had waited for offer sheets, the chances are Minneapolis would have matched them.

But Finn was clear; he wanted to be in Minneapolis for at least two more years, enough time for me to graduate law school and take the bar without simultaneously managing a cross-country move. Minnesota had done him one better, offering him a four-year contract at four and a half million per year, locking him up until free agency. When he’d first heard those numbers, I’d had a flashback to that day in my bedroom in Des Moines, talking him through his first paycheck.

In the closet, I pull on a light-weight quarter zip, hoping the outfit clearly marks me as being in boyfriend mode rather than agent mode. Before I head out, I also grab the large white bag with black tissue paper from where I’ve hidden it behind my winter coats. I sit it on the bed, knowing Finn won’t want to receive this present in front of the press.

When I arrive at the arena, Jack is standing out front, taking a call. He holds up a hand and I walk over, wondering who could be on the other end of the line.

“Absolutely. If that’s your top priority, I think their history makes it pretty clear they’ll find a way to move you. Mm hm. Yes. Alright, talk to you next week.”

He hands up, running a hand through his hair.

“Everything okay, boss?”

Heaving a deep sigh, he nods.

“Oh, sure. Plenty more business headed our way.”

I smile at the implication that the business will be ours. It turns out I’ve enjoyed being an agent every bit as much as I thought I might. After getting my degree and passing the bar, I intend to keep working in this world – hopefully alongside Jack – for years to come.

We enter the room where the signing is happening to find the press conference is about to start. Finn is sitting at a table on a raised dais between Greg Winthrop, the Huskies’ general manager, and Bruce Ramsey, their head coach.

Greg clears his throat and begins.

“The Minnesota Huskies organization is thrilled to announce that we’ve reached an agreement with Finn Murphy to continue his time with the organization. From his first days with the Iowa Pack, he’s been a hard worker and a team player, and I know I speak for everyone in the organization when I say we’re excited to have him for four more years.”

The revelation of the contract’s length gets some of the reporters talking, and a few cameras go off as Ramsey picks up where Winthrop left off.

“Absolutely, Greg. Murph’s been a steady presence on our offense over the past several years and we’re so glad he’s planning to stay with us for the foreseeable future.”

He looks to Finn, whose cheeks are red with embarrassment.

“Thanks, Coach. Mr. Winthrop. This city and this team have been so welcoming over the past three years, and I’m so glad to get four more with you.”

Finn answers a few questions from reporters, but the whole thing wraps up within half an hour or so. As he shakes hands with Winthrop and Ramsey one more time, I walk up beside him. The older men nod at me; over the past several years, I’ve gotten to know this team better, through casual cookouts and more official team events.

While neither Finn nor I have dropped a big ESPN exclusive about our relationship, it’s well known in both the Twin Cities and the hockey community. Hell, I’d signed Johnny MacKenzie as my first official client after Finn had talked about me on a road trip last season. This year, The Neutral Zone even mentioned in a story that “Murphy lives in downtown Minneapolis with his partner, up-and-coming agent Avery Lawson”.

I’d clipped it out and framed it, with copies in both my office and the house. I’m pretty sure Finn thinks it’s because it was my first mention as an agent in the blog; the reality is that I was just thrilled to see someone recognize what we are to one another – not roommates, not even boyfriends, but partners.

As Winthrop and Ramsey walk off, Finn turns toward me.

“So, where would you like dinner tonight? My treat.”

He smiles at this. Now that he’s making real money in the NHL, we do eat out a fair amount, though at this point we’re able to alternate who pays. We’ve explored enough restaurants throughout the Twin Cities for Finn to be known by it in the hockey press, and every now and then Jack will get a call asking if Finn could be available for the opening of a new restaurant.

He walks up to me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

“Honestly? I was hoping for a more…private celebration.”

He raises his eyebrows at me and I smile in response.

“No problem. Maybe takeout later?”

He nods, grabbing my hand and leading me to the door.

At home, Finn puts his equipment back away in the hall closet, where it will sit for the first month of summer. After a long season, he’s ready to relax and put some weight back on before he picks back up with his conditioning in July.