Page 6 of Hockey Wife

A divorce contract. One that worked.

The papers to get this squared away, to make that night history, were mere feet away. She’d have to go see him in person this time. Not take the coward’s way out like she did before.

But then her parents would know that it had been very much unplanned. Another one of Georgia’s fuck-up-first-fix-it-later mistakes.

“Why would I want a different one drawn up, Mom? Banks and I are very happy.”

No thunderbolt struck her down.

“Banks?” Her mother sounded horrified. “What kind of name is that?”

“Dylan Bankowski, Mom. He plays for the Chicago Rebels.”

“I think we have a box there,” her father said.

Her parents had executive sky boxes everywhere, used for big-shot schmoozing and charity events.

“But you don’t play any sports, Georgia.” Her mother sounded so confused.

“I don’t have to play to appreciate how talented and driven Dylan is. He’s a very … solid kind of person.” No lie detected.

“Sounds like he’s just what you need.” Her father’s tone was skeptical with a side of reserving judgment. He was the more indulgent parent for sure.

Her mom’s smile was wan. “We’ve been worried about you. It’s just, all these parties I’m hearing about and where you’re living … that awful place in Riverbrook. Caroline Wilkins said it’s practically a transient hotel. For bachelors.” Said like it rhymed with “drug addicts.” “We said we’d buy you a condo—there’s one for sale in our building.”

Which came with strings. “I wanted to make my own way for a while.”

After one too many wild escapades, they’d cut her off, but they’d promised to bring her back into the fold if she was a good girl. An impulsive marriage followed by a quickie annulment were not the actions of a good girl.

“But married?”

Her father cut in with a soothing pat on her mother’s arm. “We’ll meet him when we’re back in Chicago. We’re flying back tomorrow, and we’ll be hosting the Humane Society gala on Saturday. Will we see you there, GiGi?”

“Sure will!”

“And we’ll throw a wedding reception soon.” Her mother’s forehead smoothed at the prospect. A party would fix everything. “I’ll have Emily draw up a list of invitees. And you’ll have to tell us who to invite on Darren’s side.”

“It’s Dylan. And sounds good.” She took a calming breath. One problem at a time. “So if you weren’t calling about this, then what was on your mind?”

“Right.” Her father shared a quick glance with her mother. “Michael said you missed the foundation meeting.”

Her parents had tapped her to head a charity foundation dedicated to her sister, who had died from heart failure just over two years ago, a condition she’d had all her life. Philanthropy was a big deal to her family, and with this push, they hoped to kill two birds: memorialize Dani and find something for Georgia to do. All she had to do was say yes and the cash spigot would be turned back on.

“Like I said before, there must be so many more qualified people who could head something like that up.”

“Darling,” her mom said. “Who could be more qualified than you? You and your sister were so close, and this would be a perfect way for you to channel your energy. Dani wouldn’t want to think you’re moping around, missing her.”

Dani would be fine with it, especially as Georgia had other plans that didn’t involve being an ineffectual figurehead. If they would let her do more hands-on work, she’d be all over it. But that kind of digging deep wasn’t a typical Goodwin trait.

“Let me think about it some more.”

With a weary sigh, her mom moved on to an update about Cousin Bea who was about to graduate magna cum laude from Harvard. No more questions about her husband.

How did you meet?

How long have you been together?

Tell us everything!

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