Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 53034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Lucien: You got it, babe. I’m all yours.
I smile, my stomach somersaulting as I read his words. Biting my lower lip, I send him a text.
Talia: I have a crazy idea ...
Lucien: Does it involve my ass? I’m adventurous in bed, but I don’t want to get cornholed.
I laugh out loud and type out another message.
Talia: It doesn’t, but we’re going to talk later about you bringing that up out of nowhere. I think you’re using reverse psychology on me ... what if I change my flight from Cleveland to Vegas if I can? Think my dad would let me hitch a ride home on the team plane?
Lucien: I think that’s a phenomenal idea. I’ll pay for your flight.
Talia: You don’t need to. My dad told me I can use his card for expenses until I’m back on my feet.
Lucien: No, seriously. Let me pay.
Talia: It might be expensive since it’s last minute.
Lucien: It doesn’t matter. If it means I get to see you tonight instead of tomorrow, do it.
Talia: Okay, thanks. Will you ask my dad to find me a seat for the game in the arena if possible?
Lucien: Yep. If you find a flight, text it to me and I’ll pay for it.
Talia: Okay. I have to look now, so I can still make the Cleveland flight if I don’t find one.
Lucien: Hopefully I’ll see you tonight. I don’t care what it costs, so don’t consider that.
Talia: Okay. I’ll try my best to find one.
It only takes me about five minutes to find a flight departing at 4:10 with seats available. I text it to Lucien and he buys it immediately.
Tonight’s not going to be a boring night on my dad’s couch after all.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lucien
* * *
“Beaumont,” Coach says, inclining his head toward the visiting coach’s office space.
I was about to go do my pregame stretching, but I go into the office instead, where he’s sitting at the desk, his hands steepled beneath his chin.
“Close the door,” he says.
I do. Sitting down in the chair across from him, I ask, “Were you able to get it?”
He furrows his brow. “Get what?”
“A seat for Talia tonight.”
“Oh, yeah. She’s on the glass.”
I relax. “Great. Thanks.”
“I didn’t do it for you, I did it for my daughter.”
Fucking grouch. “Thanks for doing it for her.”
He studies me for a few seconds, then asks, “Are you in love with Talia?”
This feels like a trick question. Like he’s about to accuse me of doing something I didn’t do.
“Yes, Coach.”
“How many times have you been in love?”
“Um ... I don’t know. Once, maybe? I thought I was in love, at least. But I was only nineteen. Life looked a lot different then.”
“Why did that relationship end?”
“My travel schedule. She said I wasn’t around enough, but it’s not like I can pick and choose which games I go to.”
“This job is hard on relationships.”
I nod, wondering where he’s going with this.
“How do you know you’re in love with her?” he presses.
“Coach, are you ... looking for relationship advice?”
He laughs and scrubs a hand down his face. “Fuck no, and if I was, I wouldn’t be asking you, Beaumont. Just answer the question.”
I can’t hesitate, and sure as hell can’t mention anything sexual, but the only thing running through my mind is Isaac spitting out inappropriate answers to the question.
“She’s my favorite person,” I say, forcing Isaac’s face from my mind. “She’s funny and sharp and she calls me out on my shit. I’d rather sit on the couch and watch a movie with her than go out with the guys. I’m not sleeping because I’m so wrecked over her job interview in Salt Lake City.”
“What if you get tired of her after a month?”
“Coach, I don’t get tired of Talia. We’ve spent a lot of time being together around the clock, and it just makes not being with her that much worse. She loves hockey and is so damn good at what she does that she’s increased my range of motion.”
“So you like that she’s part of your world?”
I hesitate. “Sorry, that’s making me think of The Little Mermaid.”
He drops his brows, aggravated. “Stay on track, Beaumont. Did she say how the interview went?”
“Great, of course. Who wouldn’t want to hire her? Some Mormon will probably be trying to make my girl his fourth wife by this time next week.”
Coach ignores my comment. “I may have a way to keep her in Cleveland.”
I lean forward slightly, waiting for him to say more.
“That would be great. What is it?”
He puts his hand up—his way of saying, not so fast, I’m not done explaining. I’ve seen this move many times.
“What matters most is what she wants. I’m not going to try to pressure her into anything. If this Salt Lake City job ends up being what she wants, that’s where she’ll be going.”