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)
I shift in my seat, irritated. “What makes you think I want anyone to force her into anything? She’s her own person, it’s her decision.”
“If she stays and then things go bad between you guys, that’s gonna fall back on you. That’s why I’m trying to find out how serious you are about her.”
“I’m very serious. I’d never take advantage of your daughter. I was afraid to even touch her for a while, because—”
He gives me his palm again. “Don’t ever mention you touching my daughter again, Beaumont. I would’ve put my entire foot up your ass already, but I like the way you took care of her in Hawaii. You must care about her to give up your break to be there with her. And then you stayed at Isaac’s for a few days to keep her out of the spotlight.”
“Did she tell you what a slob he is?”
Coach shakes his head. “No one needs to tell me. I imagine his house has the piano from the movie Big, a TV, a bunch of gumball machines, and nothing else.”
“You’re not far off.”
He gives me a pointed look, putting his lower arms on the desk. “This stays between you and me only. Are we clear?”
“Yes, Coach. It won’t leave this room.”
“Isaac and Melina went to McClain and made the case for us to create a team position for Talia. She wouldn’t be Melina’s assistant, but they’d work together. Melina would pass some of her duties on to Talia, and they’d work together to create some new work for her.”
I didn’t even think this was an option. Not only could Talia stay in Cleveland, but she could stay with the team. It’s a great idea, because she’s good at what she does and would be an asset to the team, and she and I could still be together.
“I take back what I said about Isaac being a slob. I can’t believe he and Melina did that.”
“Melina asked me if it was okay first. I told her I can’t be a part of asking our team owner to create a job for my daughter, but I wasn’t going to stop her from doing it. She and Isaac got it done.”
“That’s great news. When can we tell Talia?”
He sits back in his chair. “This isn’t the type of work she wants to do, Beaumont. She wants to help people with disabilities be physically active.”
I deflate because he’s right.
“Okay, so then ... what’s next?”
“Hunter Beck.”
I pinch my brows together, confused about what Pittsburgh’s billionaire team captain has to do with Talia.
Coach continues. “It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to approach Beck and ask him to seed the money for a league-wide foundation that connects every team with disabled people in their communities. To provide equipment and help in getting youth wheelchair hockey programs and field hockey programs going. Where players could show up to help coach and cheer on the participants.”
My jaw drops. “Holy shit! Talia had an idea for something like that here in Cleveland.”
Coach shrugs a shoulder. “Like I said, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to try to get that going. But if another player were to ask Beck, he’d be ready to write that check. And then we’d need someone on our staff to run the program, and ...”
“Talia’s perfect for it.”
My throat tightens with emotion. He did this. It’s a done deal, and he’s telling me I just need to place a call to Beck so the idea comes from me and not him. It’s a perfect scenario.
“I’m ... damn close to speechless, Coach,” I say. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t do it for you, I did it for Talia.”
“I know, but—”
He cuts me off with the palm. “I wasn’t done, Beaumont. It’s for Talia because I selfishly want to keep her close, but also because you’re the kind of man I always wanted for her. You’re ten times the man Kyle Macintire is and I’d be proud to call you my son-in-law one day.”
My throat tightens even further. Coach doesn’t dole out personal compliments, and I’m stunned by what he just said.
“Thank you, Coach. I won’t let you down.”
“This is your last chance to tell me if you’re not serious about her. I can kill this job offer without her ever knowing. And I want to do that if you aren’t one hundred percent certain you want to be with her a year from now—and ten years from now. If so, let her go to Salt Lake City and start fresh.”
I shake my head. “I’m very serious about her. I love her. It made my entire fucking day that she decided to come here tonight instead of going back to Cleveland.”
“Good. I’ll make sure Melina has a double room so Talia can stay with her.”
I freeze for a second, then say, “Seriously?”