Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
I liked to watch TV on the floor. Sue me. As for the bottle collection…I guessed I’d forgotten to throw those away. Hey, it happened. I supposed the debris was a jarring contrast to the sophisticated decor. A designer had asked what I liked, and all I’d been able to come up with was ocean, ice, and the color blue. She’d taken my minimal cues and transformed my condo into something straight out of a fancy magazine.
A huge comfy sectional floated on a blue-patterned rug in front of a mega flat-screen and a wall of windows with views of the river and the Rocky Mountains. It was gorgeous. As in way too nice for me. A housekeeper came by twice a week and yes, she was well compensated.
I grabbed a few empty bottles and tsked. “Hey, I don’t come into your house and gripe about how fucking clean it is all the time.”
Denny helped himself to a water bottle, shaking his head as he uncapped it. “Actually I think you do.”
“That’s ’cause it’s weird to never have a single crumb on your counter. Everyone agrees.”
I dumped the trash into the recycle bin then plucked Denny’s water from his hands and guzzled half of it…just to bug him.
“Asshole.” He punched my biceps and stepped on my foot on his way to get a replacement.
“Maybe, but—”
“Hang on. I don’t care about your epically sloppy condo. We have a problem, and I need your help fixing it.”
“A problem.” I widened my eyes and flopped onto the nearest barstool. My cell flashed with an incoming call from Marty. I turned it over and gave Denny my full attention. “Sounds dramatic. This can’t be about the Hashtag Shiny Jacket moment.”
“No. Well…yes and no.” Denny leaned against the island, his expression unreadable but definitely set to serious. He was a good-looking guy with wavy raven hair and hazel eyes, and he rocked an intense vibe better than anyone I’d ever met. “Your timing sucks. I need to ask you a favor, and that little jab at Jake has just made this very fucking awkward.”
“What kind of favor?”
“We’re down a coach for the Elmwood charity camping trip. Rossman’s daughter had emergency surgery to remove her appendix yesterday. She’s going to be fine, but he doesn’t want to leave home. Totally understandable. I know you’re planning to be in LA in July to see your family before you come to Vermont for Juniors Camp, so the timing might work. I hate to ask, but—”
I waved him off. “Of course I’ll do it. I love camping.”
Denny smiled. “Cool. Thank you. I’ll tell Vinnie you’re in. He’ll be relieved.”
“Well, that was easy. And now you’re going to tell me Jake will there.” I spared him an unimpressed snort. “Who cares? We successfully avoid each other every year at camp. It’s not a problem.”
“Uh…well, I don’t think it’ll be that simple to—”
I scoffed. “Trust me, it is that simple. So…when do you need me?”
“This weekend.”
“That’s soon.”
“Well, the parade is on Saturday, and the coaches’ charity camping expedition starts Sunday. This is the second year of this particular fund raiser where parents and teens have an adventure with their favorite players. We’ll take them to the lake and hike the forest between Elmwood, Pinecrest, and Wood Hollow. Hank has arranged horseback riding activities too. Oh, and JC and Nolan have donated meals from the diner and limitless coffee, hot chocolates, and pastries from Ivan and Court at Rise and Grind.”
I beamed and threw my arms open. “Are you kidding me? Sign me the fuck up! I’m insulted I wasn’t on the original roster. This is so up my alley, it isn’t even funny. I’m packing my bag now and—”
“Rossman’s camp partner is Jake,” Denny intercepted.
Silence.
I grimaced. “Well, switch it.”
“I can’t.”
“What do you mean? It hasn’t even happened yet. Of course you can.”
He sucked in a deep breath and exhaled theatrically. “Look, this is a publicity event too. Jake and I have the same agent…Gary McDermott, who has been trying to get a hold of your agent and—”
“Why?”
“Because you and Jake at the same fund raiser with the kids and parents is nice and all, but putting you together to survive in the forest gives your feud a charitable edge. It’s good for Elmwood, good for the camp, good for the NHL, and maybe good for your careers.”
I was speechless. I sat with my mouth open for a full minute before shaking my head.
“Are you kidding? He’ll kill me. Or I’ll kill him. How is that good for the league?”
Denny shrugged. “Hey, this isn’t my idea. But…it’s sort of my fault that it snowballed into a media circus.”
“How? What did you do?”
He bit his lower lip sheepishly. “Vinnie told me about Rossman, and I suggested you. I didn’t realize he was paired with Jake. Vinnie laughed and said it would be a bloodbath. And great for business. He contacted McD, who’s his old agent too…and the rest is history. I’m here to give you the heads-up. Obviously, you can decline, but…McD will probably find a way to make that into a social media win for Jake. I’m assuming your agent will agree that it’s a good move too. Talk to him, and let me know what you decide.”