Page 103 of Lucky Puck

“That was my exact reaction. I sent them a suitable response. I’m not going to bother returning the call.”

“Good plan.”

“However, technically I can’t represent you in a civil case, so you need to hire your own attorney.”

The first person who comes to mind is Brooks. She’s an attorney and the only person I know for certain who has my back one hundred percent, ride or die. But that feels like an impossibility. Mostly because she’s not answering my calls right now. Technically, she’s not answering anyone’s calls because her phone’s shut off. Either way, I’m out of touch.

And I don’t like it. Of all the things about this fiasco that make me feel uncomfortable, not being able to talk to Brooks right now is the worst.

“I can recommend someone to represent your interests, from outside of the agency. Actually, she’s someone Brooks suggested⁠—”

“You spoke to her?” I sit up and lean forward, gripping the arms of my chair like they need to be punished for unspeakable crimes against upholstery.

He nods. “She highly recommends Heidi Lawless. She’s a sports and entertainment lawyer from Boston with civil litigation experience, a no-nonsense attitude, and a ruthless reputation. Apparently, Heidi was ahead of her at Pepperdine Law School, but they bonded over their East Coast roots and a stint on the law review. They’ve been fast friends ever since.”

“Text me her contact info and I’ll call her.”

“Already done. I let her know to call you first thing tomorrow. I think she’ll be very helpful to us in dealing with some of our stakeholders.”

“Like the NHL and the Whalers organization?”

“And some of your sponsors, like Cavalaro Motors.”

I snort. “I bet Martino is thrilled with all the extra publicity.”

“Not sure. The reactions are a mixed bag so far, which gives us the perfect opportunity to spin it⁠—”

“To tell the truth and unapologetically say that I would do it all again if it meant having a chance to get close to Brooks and have that special time with her.”

“You sure that’s your message?”

“I’ve already said it, and since it’s true, I’m not taking it back.”

He nods. “It just seems like a personal message more than a statement to the public.”

“This whole mess is all about our personal lives being on display for the public. Too late to carve out that exception now.”

The condo’s doorbell rings, and I frown at Jett. “The doorman is supposed to call before someone gets to the door.”

“Don’t look at me for security. The only thing I carry is a pen.”

He follows me to the door while I look out the peephole into my private lobby. There’s a woman with flaming red hair, long legs, and three boxes of pizza standing there.

I shout through the door, “Who are you?” I’m not fooled by the pizza. She could be a reporter or stalker. But when she flashes her business card in front of the peephole, the mystery woman’s identity makes me smile, and I open the door.

My new attorney, Ms. Lawless, walks in with pizza and attitude, looking the place over unapologetically as she walks and talks. “Brooks suggested you might need some TLC.”

She puts the pizza on the kitchen island, tosses her coat over a stool, and smiles at Jett.

“You must be the infamous Hamish Jett. Didn’t expect to find you here.”

“Believe me,” he says, “I didn’t expect to be here when I woke up this morning.”

She laughs. “I like you. I can see why Brooks still wants to work with you so desperately.”

Jett raises his brows, and so do I.

“I thought you were supposed to be my attorney.” I smile because I like the idea that she’s looking out for Brooks.