Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 54710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
We found out from a post on Vancouver’s socials that Lucien broke Kyle’s jaw. No one knows, or will know, that Kyle was just waiting for his moment to beat Kyle’s ass harder than usual. Because Audra told Talia this afternoon—or I guess, yesterday afternoon, I don’t even know what day it is anymore—that she left because Kyle shoved her to the ground while they were fighting.
I was livid when Talia told me. Any man who puts his hands on a woman is a piece of shit. And even though Audra’s judgment hasn’t always been the best, she’s my daughter and I love her. Lucien saw how upset Talia was, and the only thing he could do about it was make Kyle pay. I’d have done the same thing to him—and worse—if I could’ve.
I had no part in Kyle cheating on Talia with Audra and eventually breaking up with Talia and marrying Audra. I did have a small part in Talia getting hired by my team, and I could have forbidden her and Lucien from getting involved, but I didn’t.
And now my family drama is affecting my team. I’ve always been a professional, from the first time I signed a pro contract. I represent my team at all times, and that matters. Not once have I cheated in a relationship or behaved like an idiot in public.
Still, drama’s been following me around like a lost fucking dog lately.
“Deb is saying we have to make a comment,” Shawn says, his expression worried.
“It can wait,” I snap. “Just because reporters are demanding something now, that doesn’t mean they’re getting it.”
“Sure. But she’s asking you to look at a draft of a statement, even if it doesn’t get released right now.”
I rub my temples, a headache threatening to set in. I responded to Hudson with a text, but I didn’t respond to Deb, and it’s clearly driving her crazy. Must be fucking nice to be sitting at home in her pajamas thinking about nothing but a statement. I’m still traveling with the team, and there’s work to be done for our game tomorrow.
We have to watch film and pivot our plays to compensate for the loss of Lucien. Silas tweaked his ankle during the game, and he’s questionable for tomorrow. As much as Deb and the media think the fight between Lucien and Kyle should be at the forefront of my mind, it’s not.
I told Audra to check into a hotel under a false name, and for once, she listened. At least I know Kyle can’t get to her for now. It’s hard to see past my rage toward Kyle, but I have to put it aside.
What I wouldn’t give to be beside Jules at that bar again. It was just over twenty-four hours ago when I had nothing on my mind but how good she smelled and how much I wanted her. I was relaxed, and my phone was quiet.
“Tell Deb it’s not happening tonight,” I tell Shawn. “We’re focused on the next game. And when we do make a statement, it’ll be short and to the point. We wish him well in his recovery.”
“Got it.” He opens his mouth to speak, then closes it again.
“What?” I ask.
“Do you want me to leave you alone? Are you going to try to rest?”
“It would take a tranquilizer dart to knock me out right now. I’m going to watch film.”
He starts to stand up. “I’ll leave you to—”
“Sit down.”
He drops back into his seat immediately.
“Jules,” I say.
I hear her unbuckling her seat belt, and then she stands up in her seat in front of me and turns. “Yes?”
“No posts at all on any socials until further notice. We don’t want to seem like we’re ignoring it.”
“I understand.”
She turns around and sits back down, and I feel a flare of disappointment. I got nothing from her—not a one-second lock of her eyes on mine, or a clarifying question. I’d think she regretted our flirting last night if I didn’t know she was stone-cold sober the entire time.
She wanted me to come back to her room last night, and now she’s acting like it never happened. Maybe it’s on purpose, because we’re not alone.
I hope so.
By the time we land in Boston, the sun’s up and people are going about the start of the day. I feel like it’s the end of an exhausting one. I haven’t slept, and now I have to attend a meeting in a hotel conference room with Caroline, Shawn, our defensive coach, Robbie, and Jules. McClain, Deb, and a crisis PR guy are joining us by video.
Jules slept on the plane. I could see her and Talia through the crack between the seats. Talia had her head on Jules’s shoulder and Jules had her head on Talia’s. Jules looks fresh and ready for the day, wearing a gray sweater, black pants, and black flats.