Back Check (Aces Hockey #4)(21)

 

"At least you have that policy about the deposit, which you get to keep. That helps protect you against shit like this."

 

"Yeah. Somewhat. I'd rather have payment for the full job, though."

 

Their server approached the table and they both ordered salads.

 

"How are things with the hockey wedding? That is so cool. I know you'll get tons of work after it, when all those rich people see what you can do."

 

Katelyn smiled. "That's my hope. It's going well. Lovey has a good sense of what she wants, but she's flexible and reasonable, so that's making it easy. Also, the unlimited budget doesn't hurt."

 

Rachel's eyes widened. "How rich is this guy?"

 

"No idea. When the Islanders offered Tanner a contract eight years ago, it was for something like eight hundred thousand a year, plus some bonuses. It was all kind of complicated." She waved a hand. "It sounded like a hell of a lot of money back then, but I wasn't paying much attention to that part of it, because … you know."

 

"Yeah." Sympathy warmed Rachel's brown eyes. "I know. But Marc Dupuis must make a lot more than that. Hang on." She pulled out her phone. "Let me Google it."

 

Katelyn had resisted the allure of Google and all the information it probably held about Tanner and what he'd been doing the last eight years.

 

Rachel tapped at her phone and swiped, and her eyes moved over the small screen. "Holy shit," she breathed. "Six million dollars a year? And yeah, a signing bonus of seven million? That's insane!"

 

Wow, that was a lot. "Pro athletes make crazy money."

 

"Jesus. Well, no wonder they can have the wedding of their dreams."

 

"The thing is, Marc and Lovey aren't going over the top. I kind of admire that." During the last week she and Lovey had gotten a lot done, since Marc and the rest of the Aces were away on trips to Denver and Boston.

 

"I hope you're charging a lot."

 

"I'm not going to gouge them because they're rich!"

 

Rachel grinned. "I wasn't suggesting that. I just mean, I hope you're getting paid what you deserve for all that you do. Have you seen Tanner again?"

 

"Yeah. At Lovey and Marc's place the other night. It was awkward. We talked a bit."

 

"Ugh."

 

"I know, right? Why does he have to be one of the groomsmen?" She sighed. "But it is what it is. I just have to deal with it."

 

Rachel bent her head to her phone again, typing something new on it. "Well. That eight hundred thousand was nothing compared to what Tanner makes now."

 

Katelyn eyes popped wide. "Don't even tell me." She held up a hand. "Seriously." It was none of her business how much Tanner was earning now.

 

Rachel frowned. "Wait, what's this?" Her eyes moved over the screen, a faint crease between her eyebrows.

 

"What?"

 

"I'm just reading this article … 'Despite leading the Pacific Division all season with strong defensive play, outstanding goaltending, and stellar power play, the Anaheim Ducks still need another top-four defenseman. Ducks' general manager, Stan Lennox, is apparently interested in Chicago Aces D-man Tanner Bennet-the best blueliner who could be available before the February twenty-seventh trade deadline.' " Rachel looked up from her phone and wrinkled her nose. "Can they just take him? Why is he available?"

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

"I don't know." Katelyn frowned. "I don't know anything about trades or how they work. I don't want to know anything about them."

 

Rachel kept reading. " 'Other GMs think Bennet could be available before the trade deadline. They doubt the Aces can afford to re-sign both him and promising blueliner Hugh Land.' "

 

Katelyn blinked. "Eep. I met Hugh the other night."

 

" 'Bennet is earning three million in actual salary this season. There is talk he could seek over five million annually on an eight-year deal. SportsWatch's Joe Chambers thinks the Pittsburgh Penguins could make a pitch for Bennet if blueliner Pierre Lafontaine remains sidelined.' "

 

Katelyn processed that. "Sounds like other teams want him."

 

"Yeah. Not sure what that means." Rachel set her phone aside. "So is he as gorgeous as he was in college?"

 

Katelyn sighed. "Even more."

 

"Wow."

 

"He's also kind of a jerk."