A Perfect Trade (Harlequin Superromance) (14 page)

“I’ve already got more money than most people earn in several lifetimes.”

Andy frowned. “Your career won’t last forever and you’ll be retired a long time. You’re single now, but what happens when you get married? Have a family? You need to protect your future. This is your last chance to make big money.”

“I won’t move just to pad my bank balance.”

“You may not get a choice.”

“So the trade rumors are true.”

“The Cats don’t want to let you go for nothing on July 1, so they’re looking to trade your rights.”

Tru couldn’t believe they were ready to toss him out like a piece of old equipment. “I’m an idiot. I thought my place on the team was secure.”

“Like I said, nothing’s a done deal yet.”

“Right.” It might as well be.

“You should know that several teams have indicated serious interest, with a nice sweetener if you sign their multiyear, big-money contract before free agency opens.”

Tru knew that said a lot about how highly he and his skills were regarded, but damn it, he didn’t want to be traded.

Andy lowered his voice conspiratorially. “There are a couple of options that could work for you. You wouldn’t even have to move house.”

That meant New York or Philly. The thought turned his stomach. “I’m not moving to a divisional rival.”

“You may not...”

“I get it.” Tru gritted his teeth. “The choice isn’t mine. My instructions haven’t changed—I want to play out my career with the Ice Cats. You’re famous for your creative deals, so do whatever you have to so I can stay in Jersey.”

“At least give me something to work with—a fallback position.”

Tru swore. “I don’t want a freaking fallback position.”

“Look, I know you’re disappointed, but sticking your head in the sand like a damned ostrich doesn’t help either of us. I need room to maneuver. Give me a list of acceptable teams and outline your terms.”

“How does that keep me here?”

“I can’t guarantee it will. But, like I said, it gives me options for negotiation.”

“I’ll think about it and get back to you.”

“Fine. But don’t take too long.”

“I want to give you an answer I can live with.” He didn’t want to admit he couldn’t imagine what that would be. He didn’t care about having to learn a new system or fit in with a new bunch of guys. And it wasn’t about living in a new city or being away from his family, either, though he’d miss home and worry about his mom.

Tru wanted to finish his career where he’d started it. On the team he’d helped build. With the team he’d helped to achieve the holy grail of hockey. He’d love another chance to raise the silver chalice above his head and experience the thrill of passing it to Ike or Jake.

Was that too much to ask?

“What else have you got that doesn’t suck?”

“I have that middling option.” Andy wiped his mouth with his napkin, then tossed it on his empty plate. “It’ll keep you with the Cats temporarily, but it’s not great money and you won’t get a no-trade clause. You’ll also have to take part in a special community project. But if the Cats have a successful year and the salary cap goes up, they’d be willing to negotiate a longer-term deal next summer.”

Tru narrowed his gaze. “Why didn’t you mention this first?”

“Because the salary they’re offering is nowhere near what you can get on the open market.” Andy gave a figure well below the going rate; below even what Tru had been prepared to take as a hometown discount.

Tru’s heart sank. There was not needing the money and helping out the team, and then there was being taken advantage of. “That’s not worth discussing.”

“Give me some credit.” His agent shot him a disgruntled look. “I got them to up the base salary and add incentive bonuses for the postseason.”

That sounded more reasonable, but if the Cats didn’t reach the play-offs, Tru would still take a major pay cut.

“Frankly,” Andy continued, “I’d tell them to shove their deal.”

“But this is the only option that keeps me with the Ice Cats.”

“Temporarily.”

“Sure, but I’ll get another year and a chance to get the contract I want, in return for a few public appearances and glad-handing with the local moneymen.”

Andy’s usually inscrutable face was grim. “You’re selling yourself short and there’s no guarantee you won’t get moved before the trade deadline.”

“Understood.” Tru sat back. “So what’s the special project?”

His agent sighed. “It’s one of Mama Scartelli’s, which is probably why Hardshaw was prepared to jump through hoops he wouldn’t normally consider. Anyway, she’s requested your presence on some local memorial committee.”

A light exploded in Tru’s brain. Douglas Boult’s memorial. No prizes for guessing who’d put Tru’s name forward.
Thanks, Ma.

Still, hell would have to freeze over before he’d do anything to celebrate that bastard’s life.

“No freaking way.” The words erupted from his mouth.

Andy regarded him coolly, one eyebrow raised. “Fine by me, but if you want the rest of the deal, you have to take on that project—lock, stock and stinking barrel.”

Crap.

Tru was caught in a no-win situation. On one side, a deal that kept him with the Cats for at least one more year. On the other, his conscience and Jenny. If he took the deal, and she found out he was involved with Boult’s memorial, their tentative friendship would be shattered faster than Larocque’s slap shot.

If Tru refused, his career in New Jersey was over. He couldn’t even offer up an argument for taking the project off the table, without giving away Jenny’s secret. He wouldn’t break another promise to her.

Double crap.

Andy downed his drink and called for another. “Look, if you really want to stay with the Ice Cats that much, take the deal. So you have to attend a few meetings. You discuss zoning applications and argue over marble versus granite. The way these things usually go, either the project will fall apart because no one can agree on the details or nothing gets done for a long time. Once the season starts, you have the perfect excuse to duck out of further meetings.”

As the waiter topped off their glasses, Tru considered what his agent had said. Perhaps there was a way to make this work. If he was on the committee, he could erect stumbling blocks and stir up opposing factions—anything to delay and hopefully derail the project altogether.

Of course, his sabotage would have to be subtle, so his mom didn’t realize what he was doing. He didn’t want to hurt her. Another layer of guilt was added to those he already carried.

That took his mind back to the phone call he’d received on his way to the restaurant, from the P.I. who was looking into his dad. The man was in Boston and would be sending his first report to Tru in the next day or so. That secret was to protect his mom, too.

Too many secrets.

Shaking off the weighty thoughts, he brought himself back to the present situation. He had a tough balancing act to manage, but there was only one answer he could give his agent.

“Get the deal done.”

* * *

“W
HAT
SHOULD
I
DO
, H
ARRY
?”

Jenny had come to the hospital after a restless night spent considering Tru’s offer. She’d needed to talk to someone—even if he didn’t reply. She touched her boss’s warm hand, willing a reaction from him. Nothing.

“This isn’t the best time for me to bring a new life into my world.” No matter how much she wanted to. “Money-wise, things are looking up. I’ll get Tru’s check tomorrow and I’ve made a schedule of articles to maximize my freelance job. At least I don’t have to worry about Lizzie.”

Jenny told him about her sister’s phone call. “It’s a weight off my mind knowing she’ll have a financial cushion for next year.” She smiled proudly. “She’s a strong young woman, with a good head on her shoulders.” Everything she’d sacrificed for Lizzie had been worth it.

Despite his motionless body, she believed Harry was listening. She could almost hear him offering up advice.
Follow your dream. You can do anything you set your mind to. Be brave, seize the opportunity in front of you. To win big, you have to take a few risks.

“You’re right. I thought I was being sensible, waiting for you to wake up. For things to return to normal.” She didn’t voice her fear that his condition might be permanent. “But if I wait too long, I could lose this chance.”

So why was she still hesitating?

Tru.

Jenny sighed. “I know Tru will keep his word about the terms of repaying the loan. But will he step back and leave the rest to me? Or will he be looking over my shoulder, questioning my choices?”

That wasn’t totally fair. Tru had kept his word and hadn’t interfered with her job hunt. Perhaps, if she laid down ground rules, he’d be the same about IVF.

She sighed again. “It’s worth the risk, if I could have a baby.”

“Baby?” Felicia’s tremulous voice sounded over her shoulder. “You’re pregnant?”

Jenny turned to face her. “That’s none of your business.”

“Is it my father’s child?”

Felicia’s assumption irritated her. “No.”

“I don’t believe you.” Felicia’s voice wobbled, making the statement sound like a question. The possibility of Harry having another child clearly worried her.

“What’s the problem now?” Irving strolled into the room. What a transformation. His rumpled clothes had been replaced by a three-piece suit. His tousled hair was neat. He was even wearing a tie.

“
She
’s pregnant with our father’s baby.” Panic filled Felicia’s eyes. Her high-pitched voice could have shattered glass.

“Impossible. Dad had a vasectomy,” he drawled, though his gaze narrowed, assessing. “Most likely, the father is a hockey player.” His smile was cold. “Did you forget to practice safe sex?”

Jenny bit back a gasp as the verbal dagger found its mark. “There is no baby,” she said through gritted teeth.

“Why did you say there was?” Felicia said uncertainly.

“I didn’t. You jumped to a nasty conclusion.” Jenny stood. “Given how you’ve both turned out, the last thing I’d want is a baby related to either of you.”

Her heart pounded heavily, making her nauseous, as she strode to the elevator. Irving’s snide remark had opened her eyes to a possibility she hadn’t considered before. The very thing that had empowered her and given her back control over her body might cause humiliation for her child.

People would assume, as Irving had, that her baby was the result of a contraceptive malfunction with a player. Not those who knew and cared about her; they’d know that wasn’t the truth. Everyone else...

Was it fair to burden her baby with that stigma? Answering questions about the lack of a father would be tough enough. How would she handle it when her child asked, “What’s a puck bunny, Mommy?” What if he or she was bullied because of what Jenny had once been?

Her stomach twisted. She couldn’t do that to an innocent child.

Time to let her dream go.

Misery made her bones ache as reality sank in. She’d never be a mother. No one would ever call her Mom.

She choked back a sob.
I told you. You’ll never have a normal life. You’ll never be normal.
Douglas Boult’s victorious laughter echoed in her head.

Damn him. He was dead, but he was still ruining her life.

Jenny didn’t know how she made it to her car.

As she pulled onto the main road, she wasn’t sure she wanted to go home. She didn’t want to be alone with her thoughts, but where could she go? Maggie was her closest friend, but Jenny simply didn’t have it in her to go through the whole story right now.

Her mind provided her with an answer. Tru.

He wouldn’t need explanations about the past or the present.

She flicked on her indicator and turned right.

As she walked to his front door, it occurred to her that she should have called to see if he was home. To make sure he wasn’t busy. Didn’t have someone there.

Her steps faltered. Oh, well, he could always tell her to go away.

She rang the bell.

When the door opened, she had to lock her jaw to stop it dropping.

All Tru wore was a pair of partially buttoned, faded jeans that fit his powerful thighs like a second skin. He was using one end of a blue towel to rough-dry his dark hair. His chest—sleek and sinewed—was bare. Her gaze fixed on a couple of water droplets, following their path down over his sharply defined six-pack, to the open waist button.

Pull yourself together!
She’d seen plenty of naked and half-naked men.

But this was the first time a half-naked man had evoked such a powerful hunger. The detachment she normally felt had been blown away by an urgent need to lick those droplets—to kiss her way down the same path they were taking.

“Jenny?” Tru’s surprised voice broke into her heated thoughts. “Is everything okay?”

She moistened her dry lips. “Can I come in?”

“Sure.” He stepped back to let her pass. “Go through to the kitchen. Help yourself to a drink while I get rid of this towel and put a shirt on.”

Don’t bother on my account.
“Okay. Thanks.”

As she walked past him, the scent of just-showered skin, tinged with a hint of citrus, stoked her hunger.

In the kitchen, Jenny filled a glass with ice water and pressed it to her fiery cheeks.

Oh, my God.
This was nuts. She had enough on her plate without this unwanted attraction to Tru.

When he returned, she tried to act as though she’d been calmly perusing the things on his refrigerator door. The faded Ice Cats T-shirt that covered his chest didn’t erase the image already imprinted on her brain. Thankfully, he couldn’t see her pulse jumping.

“This is a surprise.” He poured himself a glass of ice water. “I can’t figure out if I should be pleased or worried.”

Unsure how to respond, she gave a half shrug.

He smiled uncertainly. “You want to help me out here?”

She took in a deep breath and exhaled it slowly, buying herself time before she had to say the words that would end her dream for good.