Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
“We did,” I confirm, and Zane just looks up at the ceiling.
“Then I got his number and asked him for—” Zane holds up his hand to stop me from talking.
“We can fast forward that,” Zane suggests. “Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson,” he looks at my parents, “I didn’t want any of this to happen. I knew the press was ripping me to shreds—”
“I was the one who wouldn’t take no for an answer,” I interrupt him.
“She’s exactly like her father, and she isn’t even married.” My mother looks at Zane. “I told him no so many times, and he just kept showing up at my door.”
“For the record, you let me in.” My father glares at her. “Don’t even try it…”
“For the record, her press was nothing compared to your press.” She points to my father. “But what does it matter that he’s dating her? They are two single adults who started dating.”
“Our team put out a statement today,” Zane says, “that we won’t be commenting on anything.”
“Yeah, that’s not good enough,” Nico chuckles, “and Ken knows it.”
The front door opens and then shuts. “Oh good, there is no bloodshed,” Jaxon says. “Jagger wanted to come home.”
“Wow, using your own son to lie,” Ariella accuses as Jagger comes into the room and runs to my father.
“Hey, buddy.” He picks him up and puts him on his lap.
“So are we all over the fact she’s dating someone who is almost Dad’s age?” my brother jokes knowing full well he’s not close to my father’s age, sitting next to me.
“There have been four more articles,” Nico reports and Zane gasps, “that are not spinning anything in a good light.”
“So, you put out your own story,” Ariella suggests. “Get something drafted, do a formal statement, which if you ask me is dumb. No one cared that he got me knocked up.” She points to Jaxon. “It wasn’t even news.”
“It’s because the organization is trying to get him fired,” Nico explains, and now I’m the one who is gasping out. “These stories.” He uses his fingers to do quotation marks, “are just an added bonus for them. To not make them look like the bad guys when Zane’s relationship with the team goes south.”
“What?” I say in a whisper.
“I don’t give a shit about the fucking job,” Zane hisses. “They can say whatever the fuck they want to say about me, but now they are fucking with her and I’m not going to take it.”
“They want you fired?”
“Tori,” Jaxon says, “where the fuck have you been?”
“She’s been in her love bubble,” my mother states with a smile.
“You love her?” my father snaps out and it makes Jagger jump. “I’m sorry, buddy.”
“What the hell do you think we are here for?” Nico spouts. “You think he would show up at an ambush if he didn’t love her?”
“Technically, he didn’t know he was being ambushed,” I counter.
“He knew shit hit the fan,” Nico retorts. “He knew that it was not good. He still walked into this house.”
“How do you think we should do this?” Zane looks at Nico.
“If this was my team”—he smirks—“I would have the two of you put out some statement on social media. Maybe even do a one-on-one with someone in the press. Then I would,” he looks at Jaxon, “and this is all just a suggestion, I would have a couple of the guys from the team put out their own statements counteracting what the press is saying.”
“On it,” Jaxon declares, “I’ll call Kirby and Knox who, for sure, will say something. Then we have Aaron and at least the five players who think you walk on water.” He rolls his eyes. “We only have to worry about the five who want to be traded and then Cam.”
“If Cam comes out and says anything about her,” Zane seethes, “I’m going to break every single fucking tooth in his mouth and feed them to him.”
“I guess that answers that question.” My mother looks at my father. “Anyone who is going to knock someone’s teeth out isn’t going to do it for fun. He’s not going to do it if it’s just a fling and doesn’t mean anything.”
“I’m sorry you guys found out about us the way you did,” he apologizes to them. “It was never my intention for it to happen like this. I respect you both very much.” He then turns to me. “And I respect your daughter more than this.”
“You’re a good man, Zane Gilmore,” I kiss his lips, “and I’m lucky to have you.”
“Aww,” Ariella and my mother both sigh at the same time.
“When this whole situation is over,” my father warns, “we’re going to have more to say about this.”
Zane nods at him. “I’ll look forward to the opportunity,” he replies and then looks at me.
“See?” I smirk at him. “Told you it would all be over in an hour.” Then I look at my dad. “Tell me I’m your favorite without telling me I’m your favorite.” I stand up. “You didn’t even try to rough him up.” Only when I see Zane chuckle do I really feel like everything is going to be okay. I run my hand through his hair, bending to whisper in his ear, “I love you,” before leaning to kiss his lips. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starving.”