Page 8 of How We End

“Have to pretend to enjoy having sex with old men.If the only reason you came here was to insult me, you?—”

“I have a friend.”

I waited for Anders to say more.“Good for you, Anders.”

“He’s gone through some shit, and I think you could help him.”Anders rubbed the back of his neck.“I’m worried about him.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, not sure where Anders was taking this.“Do you want to sit and talk?”I motioned to the two chairs.

“No.”Anders paced a couple of steps.“You won’t say anything to anyone, will you?”

“About what?”I arched a brow.

“This.”

“No, I abide by the strict escort and client confidentiality code.Not even the cops could drag it out of me.”

“Okay, good.”Anders nodded, pacing a couple steps.There was no code.“His game has been shit, and if he doesn’t change something soon, I’m afraid this could be the end of his career.And he deserves more than being labeled as a has-been or washed-up.”He shifted his attention to the floor, chewing on his bottom lip.“He, uh… he’s the reason I’m even here in Vegas.Hell, he’s the reason I play hockey.”

Normally, Anders came off cocky and loud.He was quick with a smile and quicker with a smart-ass comment.But this felt different.

“He’s lost his confidence for a lot of reasons.But there is one really big reason that’s not mine to tell.”He seemed to struggle with what to say.“He’s a nice guy.Some women think he’s attractive.Not as good-looking as me, of course.He works out every fucking day.Some might say he looks good naked.He’s only thirty-four.Brushes his teeth, wears clean underwear.No kids.Or pets.He did hurt his knee last season and?—”

“Anders.”I held up my hand.“Are you trying to hire me for your friend?”

“Yeah.He needs a confidence boost.And, well, what better way than sex with some hot chick?You could do that, right?”

“Have sex, yes.But sex will not fix him.Maybe he should try therapy.”

“He said the same thing about sex.So there, you have that in common.”Anders gave me a hopeful smile.“He won’t get therapy.He’s afraid the NHL will find out.And no one has to know about you.You have to make him understand that what she said about him was a lie.Because it is.He’s better than Payton.”

“Anders, I have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about.Who is she?”

“Emily, his wife.I mean, they’re separated.She said…” He paused, eyes drifting to the door.“It doesn’t matter.He’s a really good guy, and we’ve tried everything.We tried getting him high.That made things worse.Coach thinks we should give him a lobotomy.And I thought about it.Then I realized that had to do with his brain, and, well, he plays hockey, so…” Anders met my eyes.“I think he’s depressed.They’re threatening to take him out of the lineup.That will destroy him.Hockey is all he has.Please, Wyatt.”

“What are you asking of me?”Men came to me willingly.They choose to pay for sex.I wasn’t about to pursue some hockey player because he was depressed.

Anders chewed on his thumbnail.“To fake it.I mean, maybe he’s good and you won’t have to.But if you fake it, maybe that will help him.”

I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.I really didn’t want to deal with this.Not the faking part; I did that all the time.“There are, like, five girls from the Golden Serpent in there.”I pointed down the hall.“He could have any of them.They’ll all fake it.They’ll cry to heaven and praise any god you ask them to.And they’re cheaper.”

“It’s not like that.They aren’t you.”

“I’m not following.”

“Wyatt, you are stunning.”He studied me, a crooked smile forming.“Don’t tell Tee that.She’s perfect for me.But not for Julian.He needs someone like you.Someone unforgettable.”

“I’m flattered, but I don’t do athletes.”

“Don’t mix us up withthoseathletes.We’re hockey players.We are a different breed.And he’s not like us.Which is why he’s struggling.”Anders gave me sad eyes.“Come on.The city would owe you.”

“Is there some billboard with that printed on it?”Sex: the thing that saved Las Vegas.

“If this helps him and we make it to the playoffs, you’ll be able to claim that you helped the team.Maybe they’ll dedicate an arena to you.Or…” He pointed at me.“A statue right outside of City Center Arena.You could be sitting in the cup.”

“Naked, I hope.”I shook my head.

“Me too.”He winked.“Julian is really a great guy.He let one evil woman ruin everything.”