Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 106346 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106346 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
“If you tell them I said this next part, I will deny it,” she says and leans in. “They usually are.”
“Then he offered me a job with his foundation.” I shake my head. “Which I’m going to have to take now since I need a job.”
“He’s going to be so happy,” she says, and I nod.
“I have one more stop before I go to him and one, accept the job, and then two, yell at him for not telling me about getting suspended.”
She laughs. “Let’s go.” She looks around. “I would take whatever you want to keep. You are never coming back here again, and that’s coming from me, and if I have to, I’ll tell Cooper.”
“So it’s the whole family that is like that.”
“It’s a Stone thing,” she says, laughing, and for the first time in this apartment, I laugh with a full heart.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Justin
“Push, push, push!” I yell and then skate back to the bench where the other kids sit. Walking into the rink today, I didn’t know what to expect. Ever since the news hit that I was arrested, things have just gotten thrown at me. I was surprised when my agent called and told me that the general manager of the team and the team owners were not pleased with me, and they suspended me until further notice. I thought it would bother me more, but it didn’t. I put my phone down and just walked to Dylan and Caroline.
I was also not sure how the parents of the camp would feel, and when I walked in, a couple of the dads came up to me and hugged me, thanking me for doing what needed to be done.
“Look who decided to show up.” I hear and look toward the bench at Ralph who is wearing a track suit and his skates. “You just had to be Superman.”
I laugh. “You know me. I want all eyes on me.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “Of course, you do. You scored the hottest mom there was.” I put up my hand and glare at him, and he laughs. “Point taken. Anyway, I wanted to be the one to tell you I just signed a new contract.”
“No way,” I say, happy for him. He became a free agent July first, and he turned down the shitty contract Edmonton offered him. “Where to?”
He smiles at me. “Actually, Matthew saw me skating and liked my work, and we got to talking, and he hooked me up with Nico. I’m going to Dallas.”
“Does that mean I get ten percent for introducing you guys?” I laugh, and he shakes his head. “I’m happy for you. It’s a great organization.”
“Yeah, I’m excited about it. My wife, not so much, since all of her family is here,” he says and then looks down and then up again. “She’s expecting.”
“Holy shit,” I say, holding up my hand and waiting for him to high-five me, and he beams with pride. “That’s crazy. Nico is the new owner, right? I heard about him taking over for his father. He has big plans for that club.”
“Yeah, it’s really early, and she doesn’t want to say anything.” He looks at the kids. “But fuck, I’m just so happy.”
“I’m happy for you,” I say, and then Matthew comes out of the back. “Stop stealing my people,” I say, and he laughs now.
“I have to go. I just wanted to tell you,” Ralph says. “See you later.”
He shakes Matthew’s hand and walks away.
“That was a good pick,” I say to Matthew who stands there in his track pants. He’s been at my side since this whole thing started. Actually, everyone has. All the men are hanging at the rink today. My father is teaching on the other ice with Max, and Evan is in the gym with mini Cooper.
“Where is Viktor?” I ask Matthew, and he looks down.
“He wanted to hit up a meeting,” he says, and I look at him. “At the church where Caroline works.” And just like that, I see that he went to make sure she is okay. “With Mom.”
My eyes open huge. “What?” I almost scream. “Why would he take her there?”
“Would you say no to her?” Matthew laughs. “The best part is that she didn’t tell Dad.”
“Oh my God,” I say, and then blow the whistle for the kids to get off the ice. “He’s going to lose his shit.”
“Yeah,” Matthew says, and we both know how protective my father is about my mother. He doesn’t let anything touch her that is bad. He shields her with everything he has. “Dinner will be interesting.”
I look toward the clock and see it’s lunchtime. “I’m dragging my ass today,” I say, getting off the ice. I walk through the hallway and peek into some of the rooms to make sure no kids are lingering.