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“You need help whether you like it or not. And I need access to the best pool in the city.” I huff a short laugh.
I don’t want her here, but she’s stubborn and hard-headed, and this was the best lunch I’ve had in weeks.
For all Jack’s complaining and acting like he was annoyed that I’m here, he turned on the outdoor speakers for me and pop music plays just loud enough that it feels like the soundtrack to this perfect day.
“You weren’t excited enough. You can’t accomplish anything with that attitude. You didn’t give it your all.” Or whatever other words of wisdom she’ll find to make me feel worse.
Bridget’s curly blonde hair blowing in the wind and Ash nearly crashing the boat as he stares at her. The man is obsessed with her. “You two are adorable.”
She’s been gone for two days and I’m almost ready to pack up and invade their cozy couple vacation.
understand not wanting people around to witness you at your most vulnerable. I think he’s being unnecessarily obstinate by not letting anyone in, but I still get it.
“Usually, it’s a lot of flexion and extension stretches to get full motion back. I’m sure his doctors are coming over to work with him.”
My calves hit the ottoman, and I fall back. Somehow, he catches me with one hand, guiding me so I don’t land on his bad leg or the cookies.
He shakes his head. His fingers are still on the curve of my waist and the warmth of his touch is welcome against my cool skin. Heat pools in my stomach.
very sensual about a man placing his hand at your waist. His big, rough hand against soft skin.
“You look like hell,” James says. “Do you need me to contact a barber?” My agent scrutinizes me through the screen.
“Arm cast comes off next week and he gave me some new physical therapy exercises. I told you, everything is going fine here.”
am not a vacation person. Sitting around, drinking, and watching the water. How many hours can one guy be expected to do that before he cracks?” The first real smile in days pulls at my lips. “Where’s your husband?”
sent over a dozen or more emails since last week. Sponsorships, events, a new lease agreement…” He trails off. “I saw them,” I admit.
responding to them before the summer is over?” “On my list.”
James has that effect. He’s the best agent in the game. He’s been with me since the beginning, both of us just starting out. Now I’m the highest paid hockey player in the league, and he owns an entire company with dozens of sports agents under him.
Sponsors inviting me to attend events or reaching out with potential dates to shoot commercials,
The first step outside, I inhale deeply. Damn. I didn’t realize how badly I needed this. Maybe I should have taken Sandra up on the walk around the neighborhood with the walker. Nah, absolutely not.
Surprise shoots through me, but, actually, it’s not that shocking. With Everly, you always expect the unexpected.
didn’t want to bother you again, but this pool deserves to be used.” “Oh good. You didn’t want to bother me. This is way less intrusive.” She rolls her gorgeous hazel eyes.
Her eyes widen like a hurt puppy at my gruff tone and scolding words, but then slowly a fire lights up behind those hazel irises and everything in her body language stiffens.
“Here.” She shoves a plastic container at me. “I made you more cookies. I hope you choke on them.”
“Hey, Dad.” It is not my dad who replies. “Jackie boy. It’s John.” “Coach.” My brows pull together as I recognize my old hockey coach’s voice.
“Your dad is here. A new bartender overserved him and we’re having a hard time getting him to leave. I hate to call you, I know you’re dealing with a lot right now, but I really don’t want to have to call the police.”
“Any time you want!” Her expression shifts, gaze narrowing and lips turning down at the corners.
“Thank you for calling me.” It’s preferable to bailing my dad out of jail again. He isn’t on a first-name basis with the booking officers or anything, but once is enough to earn a place on the “never again” list.
hand on my dad’s shoulder. It’s hard to believe this frail man in front of me was once the most promising and talented hockey player in the state.
tight. He’s always a little bit of an asshole, but right now he looks like a lethal and brutal star hockey player about to smash someone into the boards.
His eyes close and when he opens them, the intensity there swirls with some other emotion, desperation, I think. “Will you help me get him out to the car?”
A surprised smile plays over his face, making his mustache pull up over thin lips. The grin he aims at me has me wondering if he just heard me call Jack an asshole.
We just picked up who I am quite confident is Jack’s dad from some random bar and are taking him…well, that part I don’t know.
“You’re home, Dad.” Jack’s voice is loud but curt. I already knew it, but it still shocks me. His dad.
“Yeah. He’ll be okay. Thanks for your help.” He holds a big hand out to me. “I’m John.” I guess I should have known his name wasn’t really Coach,
“I was Jackie’s hockey coach when he was a kid.” “Ah. Makes sense,” I say. “Everly. I’m a friend.”
“Well, Everly, it’s nice to meet you. Jackie boy won’t be long. He’s just taking a few moments alone with his dad, probably scolding him. Not like it’ll do any good.”
“Though I’m glad I got to meet this one. He never brings anyone around for me to meet.”
“Look, I know you’re going to hate this idea, but I think I should stay too. I can help.”
“I’m not going back without you.” He mutters something. The only word I catch is stubborn. Like he’s one to talk.
don’t love to clean under normal circumstances, but a good stress clean always makes me feel better.
He’s wearing a Wildcat jersey and hat. The headline reads: Number 1 Draft Pick, Jack Wyld, Signs with Wildcats.
“It hurts.” My brows rise in shock. “Wow. I can’t believe you just admitted that.”
Hate that she saw my dad like this. I’m not embarrassed of him, but it’s just not something I share.
My circumstances never held me back. If anything, they were the fuel pushing me to be anyone but him.
Ev stands, freshly showered and in one of my old hockey T-shirts. Something stirs inside my chest at the way the fabric hangs off her shoulder
and like the asshole I am, I notice that she’s not wearing a bra.
The challenge in her voice makes me smile.
Everly is gorgeous and I can’t deny my attraction to her. Acting on it is a whole different story.
“Thanks,” I mutter quietly. She laughs. “Why does it always sound like it pains you so much when you say thank you.
“As you can see, the parental lessons I got were a little less constructive.” Her sassy smile slips. Shit. I didn’t mean to make her feel bad.
