Page 79 of Cash

Her mother looked at her and cocked her head like a dog trying to figure something out. She had let her mom have control over her life for so long. When she finally did take some control, she just tried her best to keep her head down and stay out of the way. That clearly wasn't working any more. It was time to be direct.

"I don’t have time today. I won’t have time before the wedding. I’ll see you at the rehearsal dinner tomorrow." She said it with such finality it left no room for her mother to argue. Then she turned and left for her office. She expected her mother to follow behind her, but to her pleasant surprise she didn't.

When she walked back into the lobby, she still expected her mother to be there waiting to push this again, but she was gone. That had to be a good sign, right?

The buzz from her pocket came, maybe her mother was texting her, but there was an even better chance it was someone else.

Cash - Hey, we’re having a team dinner with the guys from prospect training camp tonight, but I wanted to check in if you needed anything before the rehearsal dinner tomorrow?

Looking at the text made her smile.

Evie - Nope, everything is all set. Rehearsals tomorrow at the hotel at six.

Cash - I'll pick you up at five so we can get all settled into the hotel before.

Evie - Perfect, see you then.

Cash - I can't wait.

"Well, someone is grinning at her phone," a friendly voice said.

Evie looked up to see Sasha standing in front of her with a knowing smile. "I know that smile, and it can only be because of one of the players of the Glendale Magic."

Evie just shook her head with a defeated smile on her face. She was done fighting all of this. She was with Cash Hawthorn. As unlikely as it was, it was absolutely everything.

"What are you doing here?" she asked Sasha.

"I was dropping off some schedules and swag for the hockey program, and I was hoping I would run into you."

"Oh yeah? what's up?"

"Are you busy tonight?" Sasha asked.

"I don't think so, why?"

"There's a team dinner, so a few of us were thinking about going out to dinner and I wanted to invite you. Well, me and Kate McPhee."

"Conner's sister?"

"Yeah, since Wes and Conner were both busy we thought we would get together."

"Yeah, that sounds fun."

"Awesome!"

Life had taken a turn ever since Sasha came into her life. She had a good group of friends. Not only that, but friends who she had things in common with and who saw value in what she did. She didn’t know how much she had missed that. And of course, Cash. Because of Sasha’s auction idea she had met Cash. While he had completely upended her life, she had never been happier.

31

CASH

The team had all gathered at Conner’s house for a team dinner and to spend some time with all the kids from draft camp. Cash remembered back when he had gotten drafted. He was still playing for BU, so he wasn't going straight on the team, and that was the case for most of these guys. With Wes healed they had a solid team and were a top pick for the cup this upcoming year. He wanted it...not quite as bad as Conner, but no one wanted it as bad as Conner.

Cash was helping to man the grill while Conner was off talking to some of the prospects. Conner was a role model for them and he knew the coaches relied on him, so he was busy. But Cash was happy to be manning the grill, it gave him time to think.

"How are things with Evie?" asked Wes.

He looked at him with a surprised look on his face. "How did you know?"

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