Iced Out (Leighton U #1)(95)

All I can do is nod after him as he makes his way back down the hallway, my mind still struggling to keep up with the fact that I’m speaking to Louis freaking Spaulding. Who also happens to be one of the top agents in the industry.

And he…wants to talk…to me.

“He’s right. You played a damn good game tonight,” Louis confirms, pulling my attention back to him. “You’re quick and agile, with more untapped potential in that stick than I think you know what to do with. Something your boyfriend in there” —he nods over my shoulder toward the locker room— “wasn’t kidding about. Or your coach, for that matter.”

I swallow, a twinge of sadness hitting me. “I’m not…Oakley and I aren’t…” I trail off, not sure how to broach this subject without making it far too personal. So I just pivot instead. “I, uh…thank you. Again, sir.”

He lets out a chuckle. “You don’t need to thank me. It’s a matter of fact. Your talent will take you places in the NHL, especially with the right representation.”

Representation?

“I’m…not sure I’m following, sir.”

Or maybe I am, but with the lack of good happening in my life as of late, it’s a little hard to believe.

He waves me off. “Enough with the sir crap. Call me Louis. It’s what all my clients call me.” A quick pause. “That is, if you decide to sign with me.”

My heartbeat is in my ears as I stare at him, realizing…

“You’re being serious.”

Another chuckle leaves him. “As a heart attack. I’d be honored to represent you.”

My mouth might as well be on the floor as I gape at him, flabbergasted this is happening right now.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him, shaking my head in awe. “You’re gonna have to give me a minute to just…process this.”

Louis’s hand lands on my shoulder, giving a reassuring squeeze. “Take all the time you need, Quinton. I’m here to answer any questions you might have before making a decision.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Again with the sir.” He shakes his head. “Of course, you don’t need to decide on anything right now. Take the night, the week. Talk with your parents or Coach. Do whatever you need, and let me know what you decide.”

I’m about to tell him I don’t need any time when a burning sensation hits my back, making my spine go rigid and halting any words in the back of my throat. I don’t even have to turn around to know Oakley’s staring at me from outside the locker room door.

Which is only confirmed when Louis’s attention moves back over my shoulder, giving a brief nod before returning to me once more.

“You know, I used to represent the Reed brothers back in their NHL days.” He eyes me quizzically. “I wanted to represent the trifecta of Reed boys, but this last one wouldn’t sign with me. Says if I’m only taking on one NHL prospect this year, there’s someone far more deserving on his team who I should be looking at instead.”

And if I thought I was flabbergasted before, it’s got nothing on how floored I am right now. At a complete loss for words as what Louis just said registers in my brain.

Of course, Oakley has the pedigree that would make it easy for him to find another agent. But…having Louis is a piece of his legacy. One far bigger than becoming captain would ever mean to him.

So why the fuck would he be willing to give the chance up, only for me to take it instead?

“When did you have this conversation with him?”

Another quizzical look. “A couple months ago. I stopped by his parents’ just after the New Year to speak with him.”

My heart drops to my stomach, and without thinking, I turn to find Oakley. He’s still there, right outside the locker room door, like I knew he’d be. And though he’s far enough away that I can’t make out his features, I can tell he’s smiling.

I can’t explain it, I just fucking know it.

I spin back to Louis. “He wants you to sign me even though you’re like…Louis Spaulding. Even though you’re a piece of his family’s legacy. Even though you’re only taking on one hockey player.”

He nods, a small smile tilting the corner of his mouth. “It sure seems that way, doesn’t it?”

“And you had this conversation months ago?”

“He was crystal clear about it, and your coach reaffirmed it with me before you got out here.” Louis must tell I’m trying to grapple with my thoughts, because he offers another squeeze of my shoulder before releasing his grip. “You’ve got a lot to think about, so I’m going to leave you to it. But this offer is genuine, de Haas. I’d love nothing more than to represent you.”

I can think about it all I want, but one thing is certain. None of this makes any sense, no matter how many times I try to work through it in my head.

This is Oakley’s entire future we’re talking about here. A legacy he’s following, building into his own. It’s everything he’s spent his entire life working for, and he’s just gonna…what? Give it up so I can have a chance instead?

But then our conversation from the other night comes reeling back into my mind until I latch on three fucking words I’d never expected to come out of Oakley’s mouth. Ones that spilled from his lips so easily, I can’t believe they’d be anything but the truth.