Page 196 of Ice Mechanic

When I wakeup the next day, there are hundreds of messages waiting to be read—mostly from journalists, a few agents who are itching to be Derek’s replacement, and broken-hearted fans.

I ignore it all and get ready for the day.

April is waiting for me on her porch when I drive up. She skips down the stairs and automatically reaches for the door.

“Tink,” I say in a warning voice.

She huffs out a breath, rolls her eyes, but waits for me to open her door. I do and watch as she scrambles inside.

“How’d you sleep?” I ask.

“Like a baby,” she answers. “And you?”

I lean toward her. “I slept well, but I got up before dawn. I was too excited.”

“About what? Finding an apartment?”

“About seeing you.”

She rolls her eyes again but a pleased smile flirts with her lips.

I smirk and drive her to the garage, listening to her chat about her plans for the day and her intention to hire May as a marketing director when she graduates in a few weeks.

As I slow down in front of the garage, my eyes stray to the vehicle parked on the curb. Someone steps out of the car and stares us down behind a pair of dark sunshades.

April stops talking.

I go stiff.

“Let me handle this,” I growl, reaching for the door.

“Handle what?” April says, her firm tone making me turn to look at her.

She arches a brow.

I swallow hard. “April, there’s something I haven’t told you.” Inhaling deeply, I admit, “I hired a lawyer before I left for the league. I want to sue Stewart Kinsey.”

A frown stretches across her face. “It took you long enough to tell me.”

“Wait, you knew?”

“It’s a small town, Chance. Did you think you could send a bunch of suits sniffing around Lucky Falls and word wouldn’t spread?”

I lean back in shock. “I… yeah, you’re right. I should have thought of that.”

“How could you sue someone on my behalf without even talking to me?” April folds her arms over her chest.

“I couldn’t sleep knowing Stewart was living his life without consequences after hurting you.”

“Yeah, but that’s not your decision to make. It’s mine.”

“I just?—”

“That was way out of line, Chance. And to make it worse, you kept it a secret from me. I thought you were going to put my name on a formal lawsuit and not actually inform me.”

She’s got me there. “You’re right. That was a bad call. In my defense, I didn’t want you to relive the trauma.”

Her stare remains dark and unwavering.

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