Page 56 of Gross Misconduct

“No, I don’t think so. Why?”

A sly smile spread across his face. “Remember what I said last night?”

How could I forget? My body had been tingling in anticipation all morning. “I vaguely remember something about me getting rest.”

“That’s right. Let’s finish up breakfast, take Chloe for a quick walk, then we are going for a short hike in Stanley Park.”

“Oh,” I said, unable to hide my disappointment. I hadn’t intended to make my disappointment so obvious.

“Don’t worry. When we get back, I intend to fuck you until you can’t think straight.”

Now he was talking.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Jeremy

Iwas looking forward to the break. The first part of the season had caught up to me, and my body was screaming for a few days off for rest and relaxation, even if it was with my meddling family. But damn, Ididmiss them all.

I packed up my SUV with our bags and Chloe’s bed while Jill made up some snacks and packed some drinks for the road. I planned to do most of the driving, especially during the mountain pass, but Jill would do the BC interior. Since she didn’t have a car in Vancouver and hadn’t driven much, I gave her the easy part.

As we drove through the mountains, she took out her camera and posted snapshots here and there. She posted a few to social media, and when we got to a rest stop, she asked a couple to take some photos of us with Chloe. Jill planned to post them to social media to keep up appearances. Now that Orla had backed off, it wasn’t so critical anymore, but it was good to keep the charade up anyway. After all, we were supposed to be a happily engaged couple.

“This is gorgeous,” Jill said, looking up through the passenger window at the snow-covered mountains.

“We should go up to Banff or Whistler. You’d love it. Do you ski?”

“Only cross country. Tangi and I used to go all the time for exercise,” she said, snapping a few more pictures. “But I’m open to learning downhill.”

I loved that about her. She wasn’t necessarily sporty, but she was open to trying anything. She’d already agreed to let me teach her how to skate, and now I had her learning to downhill ski. She loved hiking in the park, and didn’t once fuss about her hair or makeup. But then, she had a natural beauty about her, and her sharp wit always had me on my toes. She certainly didn’t suffer fools.

“When I have our week off, we can plan a trip up to Whistler. In the meantime, I’ll find you a good ski instructor. It will be fun.”

We stopped for a quick lunch near the border of BC and Alberta before we hit the last stretch of our road trip. Mom had already called a few times to check our progress, and I assured her we would be there for dinner. Mom was more than a little excited that I was bringing a woman home, especially one I was engaged to. I usually didn’t because there was no use getting her hopes up. But Jill was different. She was a friend I was dating, and if things didn’t work out, we’d still be friends. I just had to convince Mom that we hadn’t set a wedding date, and not to smother Jill with wedding plans.

We got to my parents’ massive two-story just before six o’clock, mostly because the road conditions had been good, traffic had been light, and I was driving a little fast. Jill took Chloe’s leash and some of our stuff, and I followed behind with the rest. Mom greeted us at the door and nearly shrieked when she saw us. Her dog, Lulu, a totally bratty Shih Tzu, was rightbehind her, ready to snap at Chloe. Behind her was Gracie, Dad’s yellow Lab. While Mom freaked out about our arrival, Lulu eyed up Chloe and Gracie jumped in and gave Chloe a sniff. Within seconds, all three dogs were running into the house, ready to play. At least Chloe and Gracie were. Lulu was a wildcard.

I made some quick introductions, and Mom grabbed Jill into a hug. Since Jill wasn’t overly used to affection, it took her a second to react and hug Mom back. Dad appeared in the doorway and ushered us in. We were barely out of our coats, and Mom was escorting us into the dining room for the setup she’d created. Gwen was just sitting down, and Jamie, my little brother, and his latest girlfriend were heading in as well. More introductions followed once I found out my brother’s girlfriend’s name. I had to try to remember it.

We passed food around, then Mom set her sights on an unsuspecting Jill. Thankfully, I’d warned her that Mom was going to throw a barrage of questions her way, mostly about the engagement, but I had no doubt she could handle them.

“Jeremy says you’re from Minnesota.”

“Yes,” Jill said as politely as possible. “I was born and raised there.”

“But you have no issues relocating? To wherever you end up?”

I smirked. Mom was already gauging if Jill would move with me to wherever I had to go if the Kodiaks ever traded me.

“I have no strong ties to Minnesota other than good friends.”

Mom tilted her head. “Oh. No family left?”

“My mom, but we aren’t overly close. And my father isn’t in the picture. I have no siblings.”

I bristled at that. Jill had no idea she had a younger brother and sister. I hated that I knew it, but telling her would meanthat I’d have to tell her I’d met her dad, and that wouldn’t go over well.

A small smile crept up on Mom’s face. I knew exactly what she was thinking. Not only did Jill not have an attachment to Minnesota, she also had no meddling family. But my mom could do the meddling for two families.

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