Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“Nothing.”
“Hayden.”
She lifted her head, chin tilting with defiance. “It’s not a big deal, Brody. Just go inside and enjoy the party.”
“Screw the party. I came here to see you.”
“Well, I came here to see my dad.” She turned her head away and stared out at the landscaped grounds.
The temperature had dipped drastically and the thick gray clouds littering the night sky hinted at a storm. Already the endless carpet of flowers on the lush lawn was starting to sway in the wind, sweeping a sweet aroma in the direction of the cobblestone patio.
It was the kind of night he usually enjoyed, the moistness of the air, the hint of rain and thunder, but he couldn’t appreciate it when Hayden looked so distraught.
And beautiful. Damn, but she also looked beautiful. The silver dress, the strappy heels, the shiny pink gloss coating her full lips. He wanted her, as strongly and as violently as he’d wanted her that first night in the bar. And not just sexually. Something about this woman brought out a protective, tender side in him he’d never known he possessed.
“Please. Tell me what happened.”
She hesitated for so long he didn’t think she’d say anything, but then her mouth opened and a string of words flew out.
“I think my father is drinking too much. He blew up at me when I questioned him about it, and then he made a few remarks about bad investments.” She looked up, her eyes wide with anguish. “I’m worried he might have done some of the things everyone is accusing him of. Fuck, Brody, I think there’s actually a chance he might have bribed players and bet on games.”
His heart plummeted to the pit of his stomach. He shoved his fists into the pockets of his jacket, hoping to bring warmth to hands that had suddenly grown ice-cold. Damn it. He didn’t want to have this conversation, especially with Hayden. Not when his own flags were risen.
So he just stood there in silence, waiting for her to continue and hoping she wouldn’t ask him any questions that might force him to reveal something she probably wouldn’t want to hear.
“I don’t know what I should do,” she murmured. “I don’t know how to help him. I don’t know if he’s guilty or innocent. I have no proof he has an alcohol problem, but it’s obvious after tonight that something is going on with him.”
“You need to talk to him when he’s sober,” Brody advised.
“I’ve tried,” she moaned with frustration. “But he’s determined not to be alone with me. And then when we are alone, he changes the subject every time I try to bring up my concerns. He won’t let me in.”
They stood there for a moment, silently, his arms wrapped around her body, her head tucked against his chest.
“I never thought my relationship with my dad would get to this point,” she whispered. “He treated me like a stranger tonight. He snapped at me, cursed at me, looked right through me, like I was just another headache he didn’t want to deal with instead of his only daughter.”
Brody threaded his fingers through her hair and stroked the soft tresses. “Did you two used to be close?” he asked.
“Very.” She gave a sigh. “Nowadays, the team comes first.”
“I’m sure that’s not true.”
She raised her chin and met his eyes. “Tell me, in all the years you’ve played for the Warriors, how many times has my father mentioned me?”
Discomfort coiled in his gut. “A bunch of times,” he said vaguely.
Her eyes pierced his. “Really?”
“Fine, never,” he admitted. “But I’m just a player to your father. He’s certainly never treated me as a confidant.”
“My dad is obsessed with the team,” she said flatly. “He’s always loved hockey, but when he was just a coach, it wasn’t this bad. Now that he owns a franchise he’s almost fanatical. It used to be about the game for him. Somehow it’s become about making money. Being as powerful as he can be.”
“Money and power aren’t bad things to want,” Brody had to point out.
“Sure, but what about family? Who are you supposed to rely on when the money and power are gone? Who will be there to love you?” A cloud of sadness floated across her pretty face, her expression growing bittersweet. “You know he used to take me fishing a lot? Every summer we’d rent a cabin up at the lake, usually for an entire week. We moved around so much, but Dad always managed to find a place to go fishing. I hated to fish, but I pretended to love it because I wanted to spend the time with him.”
She moved out of his arms and walked back to the railing, leaning forward and breathing in the cool night air. Without turning around, she continued speaking.
“We stopped going once I moved to California. He always promised we’d go back to the lake during my visits home, but we never got around to it. Though we did go out on the yacht last summer. Sheila spent the entire trip talking about her nails. And Dad was on the phone the whole time.”