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)
“Sweetheart?”
She snapped out of her thoughts. “Sorry, what did you say?”
“I said, once the season ends, my time will be yours. You don’t need to return to Berkeley until August—what do you say we plan a holiday in Italy for July?”
Surprise flickered through her. “Really?”
“Yes. We haven’t taken a trip together since you were, what, eighteen?”
“Sixteen.”
“So we’re long overdue.” He tipped his head. “How do you feel about Rome? Maybe a week there, and then head to the Amalfi Coast for another week or two? My assistant could plan everything. You wouldn’t have to lift a finger.”
A rush of emotion flooded her chest. As unhappy as she’d been since she’d returned to Chicago, she couldn’t deny that the offer touched something inside her. She was twenty-six years old, and suddenly she felt like a little kid.
“That sounds amazing,” she told him. “I’d love that.”
“Excellent. I’ll tell Elizabeth to start making travel plans.”
The server returned with his espresso and asked if they were ready to order, but Hayden had chugged two coffees already while waiting for her father and needed to hit the ladies’ room before she exploded.
“Order me anything with eggs and avocado,” she told her dad as she slid out of her seat.
She quickly used the restroom, returning to the table to find a fresh cup of coffee and a tall glass of water.
“I got you the avocado toast, over easy,” her dad said. “And I ordered us some water.”
“Thanks.”
While they waited for their breakfast, they chatted about the playoffs, and for once, she didn’t mind talking hockey. Spending time with Brody made it hard to keep hating on the game. Besides, the more she reflected about it, the more she realized hockey wasn’t really to blame for the distance between her and her father. It was just a sport. It was Presley’s obsession with it that she actually resented.
Although if she was to believe her stepmother, Presley Houston was obsessed with more than just hockey. The way Sheila had described him, he was a money-hungry philanderer who cared only about himself.
“Is there any update on the divorce?” she asked as she cut into the last piece of her toast.
Wrong question.
Her father instantly stiffened. “No. The lawyers are still hashing it out. But Diana says it shouldn’t drag on much longer.”
Hayden searched his face. “Are you okay?”
He waved off her concern with a forced chuckle. “I’m fine.”
She shrugged awkwardly. “You didn’t seem very fine the night at the Gallagher Club.”
Fuck, why had she brought that up? She’d seen him since that night and hadn’t raised the issue. Hadn’t wanted him to flip out on her again. But it was too late to take it back, and she didn’t miss the way her dad’s eyes clouded over.
Not with anger, though.
With remorse.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that night, but I’ve been swamped with work. It’s not an excuse. But I’m sorry I snapped at you that night. I didn’t mean to.”
She studied him intently, noting the lines of exhaustion etched on his face. “All right, I’m going to ask this again. Are you okay? Like, truly okay?”
Presley picked up his water glass and took a deep swig, his long fingers tightening around the glass for a moment before he set it down.
“For the most part,” he finally said.
She eyed him in concern. “For the most part?”
“I mean, I can’t lie—the divorce has taken its toll. Not to mention the rumors plaguing the franchise.” Her father offered a reassuring smile, but the shadows in his eyes betrayed a deeper struggle. “But I’m handling it, sweetheart. You don’t have to worry about me.”
Despite his assurances, Hayden couldn’t shake the nagging suspicion that there was more to the story. “Are you sure that’s all it is? Because you seemed really…” She took a deep breath, deciding to address the concern that had been gnawing at her. “You were really drunk that night, Dad. And that’s not like you. I’ve never seen you drink too much at those events.”
His eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of defensiveness in his tone. “What exactly are you asking me? If I have a drinking problem? Because I can assure you, I do not. You’re right, though—I drank too much that night. It had been a particularly tough week with all the rumors swirling, and I let everything get to me.”
She nodded slowly. “I get it. It can’t be pleasant, all the stuff the media is saying about you and the Warriors.”
“It’s not. But like I said before, you don’t have to worry about me. The franchise and I are going to weather this storm.”
“I’m always going to worry about you. You know that.”
His features softened. “I know, sweetheart.” He reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “And I appreciate it, I really do.”
They were interrupted by the server again, who came to drop off the check. As her father handed over his black Amex, a text lit up Hayden’s phone.