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)
And when they were sated and happy and lying there on the carpet, Brody could swear that the earth had moved.
Epilogue
One year later
“Seriously, babe, we need to do something about that shower,” Brody complained as he stepped out of the bathroom.
Hayden couldn’t help but laugh at the aggravation on his handsome face. “The plumber will be here on Monday, babe. Quit getting your panties in a knot.”
He strode into the recently painted master bedroom of their Santa Monica home, his frown deepening. “It really doesn’t bother you?”
“No, Brody. It doesn’t. It’s just a removable showerhead, for fuck’s sake. We’ll live without it for a couple more days.”
She rolled her eyes and rose from the bed. They’d purchased the house two months ago, at a bargain since the rambling three-story Victorian on Ocean Avenue was in desperate need of renovations. So far, they’d painted every room, gutted the living room, retiled the kitchen—and Brody was worrying about a showerhead. Her husband definitely had a one-track mind. Of course, she’d known that when she’d married him.
“We should head over to the restaurant,” she said, swiftly putting an end to the subject Brody refused to drop. “Darcy will be wondering where we are.”
Brody snorted. “Darcy is probably fucking one of the waiters as we speak.”
She wagged her finger at him. “Be nice. She’s taken a vow of celibacy, remember?”
Another snort. “Yeah, and I’m sure that’ll last for, oh, ten seconds. No, make that five.”
Hayden laughed, knowing he was probably right. Leopards couldn’t get rid of their spots, lions weren’t about to grow horns and Darcy White certainly couldn’t “quit” men. But Hayden was glad her friend was finally able to take time off and visit them. Darcy was even considering moving to the west coast, and Hayden was avidly encouraging her friend to do so. She would love having Darcy around on a more regular basis, especially since she wouldn’t be able to travel with Brody to his away games for much longer.
Although the Warriors hadn’t made it far in the playoffs last season, Brody’s stats had impressed the Los Angeles Vipers’ general manager, who’d made him an offer, to both Hayden’s and Brody’s relief. It put an end to the “where do we live” dilemma that had been plaguing them since the engagement. Brody had signed with the Vipers, and since the commute to San Francisco had been too much for her, she’d agreed to transition into teaching online-only courses at Berkeley. She missed the big lecture halls, but the new arrangement worked for both of them; the online seminars gave her the time to work on her PhD at UCLA, and getting to LA from the suburbs was an easier commute for Brody.
They’d married in Chicago, though, deciding it was fitting to say their vows in the city where they’d met and fallen in love. Brody’s parents had flown in for the wedding. Darcy had been the maid of honor, and the guests were a mixture of academics and athletes, including Brody’s former captain Craig Wyatt, who’d brought Hayden’s ex-stepmother. Shockingly, Craig and Sheila were now engaged, and Sheila was happily planning the wedding and enjoying the money she’d gotten from her divorce; she’d eventually settled for half of Presley’s estate.
Hayden’s father had attended the wedding, too, though he’d kept a low profile, asking her if it was all right that he didn’t make a speech. But he did walk her down the aisle, and he’d brought her to tears beforehand when he handed her a beautiful letter that stated how happy he was that she and Brody had found love. He’d also thanked her for supporting him through everything, standing by him when he was in rehab, helping him pack up his various houses after the divorce was settled.
“Hey, you okay?”
Brody’s concerned voice drew her from her thoughts. She managed a nod. “Yeah. I was just thinking about my dad.”
Brody moved closer and wrapped his strong arms around her. “I know you wish he would move out here, but you can’t monitor every move he makes, babe. He’s sober now. Just have faith that he’ll stay that way.”
“I know.” She sighed. “At least he’s not in jail.”
Last year’s league investigation had resulted in criminal charges being brought up on her father, as well as the players he’d bribed, but Presley had gotten off with a fine and four years’ probation. Since he hadn’t been involved in a gambling ring or organized crime, he’d been lucky with his punishment. He’d lost the team, though, forced out by his board of directors, and Hayden knew that had been a big blow for her dad. The Warriors were now owned by none other than Jonas Quade, the man of many mistresses and god-awful tan.
Sam Becker wound up with probation, too, and banned from ever playing in the league again, and Brody still hadn’t forgiven his former friend. Hayden hoped that in time the two men might reconcile.