Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 106774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Gray turns the papers so I can see the front page. Contract extension is written in bold letters at the top.
I cover my mouth to hide my gasp, my eyes growing as big as saucers.
“You deserve it, Adler,” Renn says. “You showed up for the team, but you really showed up for yourself. And that’s the most important thing. I’m really proud of you.”
Gray slowly puts the papers back on Renn’s desk. It’s clear he’s shocked and a bit stupefied, but over the moon at the same time.
I grab his bicep and squeeze. My sleeve pulls back just far enough for the new tattoo on my wrist, a queen chess piece, to show. Gray beams, running his hands down his face, giving me a clear shot of his king chess piece tattoo on his wrist in the same spot. He offered to cover the snowflake on his thigh, the one he got after Caroline’s accident, but I told him to keep it. She’s a part of his story and covering a tattoo wouldn’t make that go away. Besides, your history—the people, places, and experiences, make you who you are. And I happen to quite like the man he’s become.
“That means a lot to me, Renn,” Gray says, blowing out a breath. “Thank you for everything. You saved my life in a lot of ways.”
“That’s me. A lifesaver.” Renn laughs. “You saved yourself. She probably didn’t hurt things.” He winks at me. “Your agent will get these papers later today. But I wanted you to relax going into championship week knowing that you’re a Royal for the foreseeable future.”
Gray stands and shakes Renn’s hand. “I couldn’t be prouder to represent this organization. Thank you for the opportunity to play here.”
“Wait,” I say, getting to my feet too. I try my best to appear sober. “Does this mean I have to work with him, too? Or am I done being this guy’s assistant at the end of next week?”
They both laugh, not taking me seriously at all.
I laugh, too. “No, but seriously.”
“Let’s see how things go,” Renn says, smoothing his tie down his chest. “But don’t get any ideas, Miss Lawsen. Whether you work for him or not, you still work for me. And don’t let my brothers try to poach you, either.”
“Trust me,” I say, picking up my bag. “The two of you are enough to keep me busy.”
We say our goodbyes, and I follow Gray into the hallway. The office is buzzing. We dodge the staff, Gray’s hand locked in mine until we get to the elevators. Once the doors close, we sigh.
“Congrats,” I say, kissing him.
“Careful.” He nips my bottom lip between his teeth. “You should stop doing that.”
I pull back. “Why?”
He glances down at his crotch, and I’m immediately reminded why I told him not to wear those sweats.
“I’m done for the day,” he says. “What about you?”
“Yup. I’m on my way home.”
“Let’s go to Stupey’s for dinner.”
We exit the elevator and make our way through the lobby. Jory and Breaker shout at Gray from The Royal Café as we pass, but he just waves at them and keeps walking.
“I can go by the store and grab things for dinner,” I say, squinting against the sun. “It’ll be much cheaper than eating out. And I have to call Audrey back. She just found out that her crush got married last weekend.”
Poor Audrey. She took the news—in the form of a Social post that her brother commented on—better than expected. But she’s still devastated.
He groans. “I told you. I have money now. Joe called me this morning, letting me know that the trust to take care of Liza has been dissolved.”
I’m not sure what to say to that, so I just nod.
“Joe also told me that he forwarded you the correspondence he received from the landlord’s attorney. They’ve assured him that they won’t be coming after you. If they have anything else to say, they’re to send it to him and he’ll take care of it.”
I reach for Gray’s hand, lacing our fingers together.
I did it. I’m free.
The air smells prettier, and the wind feels gentler as we walk through the parking lot. Gray’s ridiculous truck is parked next to my little car. The sight of them makes me smile. Who would’ve thought the day that I marched to his window and gave him a piece of my mind would lead to this? That the asshole honking his horn at me to hurry would be the same man helping me clear up problems created by men before him?
“So Stupey’s?” Gray asks, leaning against my car. “Let me spoil you.”
“Let you? Gray. There’s no letting you do anything. You just do what you want and hope for the best.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” he says, smirking.
I roll my eyes. “Let’s see. You sent me and my friends on a spa day last weekend. You booked the two of us a vacation to the beach after the season is over. Hartley called a couple of days ago, asking me what color to have the guys paint the cabinets in your cabin on the ranch.”