Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Whatever his mother set out to do, she failed. She can’t break him. He’s too strong for that. All she’s managed to do is make him that much more of a force. In the end, he’ll come out on top, and she’ll still be the freeloader, looking for her next free ride. The only loser is her.
There’s a buzz signaling someone is here.
“Mike,” Aiden tells the group. “He’s here to spin the story my publicist wants me to recite.”
Dane shakes his head. More to himself than to us. I wonder about him. What’s his story, and why does he seem to be the serious one of the group?
“Just be real, man. I promise you that you won’t regret being honest in the long run. Spinning stories works for a short time, but lies have a way of catching up with you.” This time, it’s Hudson who talks. Do all these guys have secrets?
Something about that thought unsettles me.
Likely guilt surrounding my own lies.
More likely, the threat of my secrets coming to light. Because they will.
I can only hope that when they do, Aiden understands my motives were pure and forgives me, because the thought of saying goodbye to Aiden Slate doesn’t seem possible.
Aiden’s press conference was incredible. He shut down his mother’s attempt to make him look bad by turning everything around and showing the world what a villain she is. I couldn’t be prouder of his bravery and honesty.
Aiden and I have been researching professionals to help support him. Someone who can teach him real coping mechanisms to cut back on the time it takes him to complete his rituals. Things to help curb some of the impulses.
Aiden’s phone pings, and I know something is wrong. His face contorts, turning red. He throws his phone across the room.
“Fuck.”
I jump as the phone collides with the wall, creating a cracking noise that doesn’t bode well for the device.
“What’s wrong?”
My entire body is locked up, fear for what he’s about to say, making my stomach roil.
“It was him. Lewis was involved.”
My eyebrows tilt inward as I try to decode his words.
“Billy Lewis?” I ask.
Aiden’s head turns to me, and he nods once.
“Oh my God. I knew it,” I say, mostly to myself.
I had a feeling that slimeball was gunning for Aiden. I just didn’t know how he planned to make his life hell.
“Apparently, he went digging into my family. The fucking creep actually drove to my mom’s and quizzed her about me.”
I blink, stunned by the lengths Billy went to. “How do you know?”
“My attorney reached out to my mother and threatened to press charges for blackmail and extortion. She doesn’t have money to go to court, so according to Mike after they interrogated her further, it came out that Lewis was behind things.”
The need to find Billy and strangle him is strong. He’s a snake. A fucking creep.
“How are you going to be able to play with that guy?” I ask, seriously curious how Aiden plans to keep himself from harming the asshole.
“I won’t. I’m going to Coach now and giving him my resignation if it comes down to that. I’m a free agent. I’ll go to another team before I’m forced to play on the ice with that fucker.”
I bob my head, knowing that’s the only answer.
“What do you need me to do?” I ask, feeling a bit out of my element.
Things are already so different now that Aiden’s situation is out there. I can be more open about helping. He doesn’t need to hide it.
If one good thing has come from this, it’s that I can tell it’s liberated him in ways that were necessary for him to live a normal-ish life.
“If you could just take care of dinner for tonight, that would be good. I’m going to be starving, and I don’t want to have to go out today. Or tomorrow. It’ll be best if I can lie low for a bit until the interest of the media dies down. Or at least until my next game.”
“Makes sense. I’ll handle dinner.” I stand from my chair and make my way toward Aiden, placing my hand on his shoulder. “Whatever you need.”
He smiles up at me. “Thank you for everything, Cassidy. I’m not sure how I can ever repay you.”
“You don’t owe me anything.” I sigh. “I’m going to go shower. I’ll see you later.”
He places his hand over mine on his shoulder and squeezes.
“Good luck,” I say, making my way toward the back, thinking through my grocery list.
The conversation that Aiden is about to have could be a tough one. Billy Lewis is third string and not a key member of the team, but he’s also on contract. I’m not sure how hockey works, but I can’t imagine getting rid of Billy will be that easy considering the money they likely paid him, even for third string.