Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 142866 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142866 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
“When you have the capital and they don’t, things change. They need the investment.”
“They also need the leadership,” I say. “I hope you’ll help us with that.”
My father releases a sigh. “I’m an old man. What do I know anymore?”
“Pop, you’re sixty years old. Younger than half the men running things and owning teams in this league. And all my life I’ve heard you complaining the Vipers’ front office couldn’t lead a fly to a pile of shit.”
His laughter booms over the phone, drawing a smile from me in reply. “Ain’t that the truth, though? Okay. You buy your team, and we’ll see.”
“I’m working on it.”
A noise at the door distracts me. I turn to grin at my assistant standing there with his iPad, obviously ready to work.
“Pop, I gotta go,” I tell him, closing the door to the balcony and walking past Bolt out into the hall. He follows, our quiet footfalls the only sound in the house. “Bolt’s here to make me do some work.”
“Tell that assistant of yours to take it easy on you,” Pop laughs.
I glance over my shoulder, and Bolt is hot on my heels, a stern look on his face like we’re about to get down to some real business.
“Not a chance,” I say. “He’s ready to get started. You know how he is.”
“Well, I’ll let you go…” Pop pauses. “You sure you’re—”
“I’m okay.” It’s a struggle to keep the irritation out of my voice. I know he’s concerned, but he really doesn’t need to be. I’ve had weeks to get used to the breakup with Zere. The rest of the world is still catching up. “Gotta go. Love you.”
“Love you, too, and… well, I guess you can keep me in the loop on the Vipers thing.”
A triumphant grin takes over my face. “I’ll do that. Bye, Pop.”
I’ve arrived in the kitchen by the time we disconnect. Laurenz, my chef, has left my morning smoothie on the pristine expanse of marble countertop.
“Need this,” I groan, grabbing the frosted glass and sitting on a stool at the counter.
“Gulp,” Bolt orders, frowning. “You have a Zoom in thirty minutes and still need to shower and change, I presume.”
“What’s wrong with what I got on?” I ask, gesturing to the wetsuit peeled down around my waist to reveal my arms and torso still slightly damp from the ocean.
“I think the board will expect less…” He runs assessing eyes up and down my frame. “Less chest and more clothes.”
“They want my money, not the other way around,” I say, unable to suppress my cynicism. “I’m sure they’d make allowances.”
“You’re probably right.”
His lips twitch, reminding me that I hired him not only for his brilliant mind, but for the fact that he, despite first impressions, knows how to laugh. He knows when to work and when to ease up and make sure I blow off steam. He’s my assistant, but he’s probably the most essential person on my team. I stole him from a company I was considering buying. I didn’t buy the company, but I did hire Roy Sires. Bolt to his friends, so named because he’s such a fast runner. That speed earned him a track scholarship to Harvard and could’ve taken him to the Olympics had it not been for a torn ACL.
I gulp the smoothie obediently, rinse the glass, and place it in the dishwasher. My housekeeper doesn’t expect me to clean up after myself, but my mama did, and it’s a hard habit to break.
“Lemme make myself respectable,” I say, exiting the kitchen. “I’ll meet you in the office in fifteen minutes.”
“The Realtor called,” Bolt says, standing in the living room, eyes glued to his iPad. “We already have a bite on the Miami property.”
That stops me at the foot of the stairs. Selling the house Zere loved so much, even more than today’s announcement, feels like the final call on our relationship.
“Did you hear me?” Bolt glances up. He’s not a tall man, standing at around five foot seven, but he is powerfully built, and his body always gives him away. Jaw clenched when he’s annoyed. Shoulders tensing when he’s angry. Brows knitted when he’s concerned, as they are now. “Are you having second thoughts?”
“About selling the house?” I ask, one foot poised on the bottom step.
“I guess about…” He gestures vaguely with the iPad. “About everything. About the breakup?”
“No,” I answer without hesitation. “Zee and I don’t belong together. I’m wondering if I should offer her the house instead of selling it.”
“Sir, that’s millions of dollars. Maybe a bracelet or a bag or… something that isn’t eight figures would be a better parting gift.”
I laugh outright at his incredulous expression. “Cheaper for sure. Just hold off till I have the chance to discuss it with Zere.”
His lips purse in exasperation, but he lets it go. “Will do. And Ralph called this morning. Said you told him to reach out after the party.”