Page 28 of Icing the Enemy

My muscles are tight, and my face feels like it could explode at any moment. It’s so hot that I can barely control myself. I mean, I’m not in control, but that’s never been me. I say what I want when I want. I don’t believe in keeping the peace when someone hurts you. Worse, he hurt my mom.

“Oakley, please listen. It’s how your mom wanted it.”

“I call bullshit.”

He reaches for my hand, and I jerk away, not wanting his filthy hands on me. “Jim, Clay, do you mind giving us a moment alone?” he asks.

“Sure.” They leave and shut the door behind them.

He walks to the windows that overlook a small green area of the parking lot and stares out the window.

“I loved your mom, but she didn’t love me and didn’t want to be trapped in a marriage.”

“Oh no. Don’t blame this on a dead woman. You were already married. I’ve done some research since meeting with Mr. Gould and overhearing your conversation at the wedding.”

Turning away from the window, he faces me with fire in his eyes. "You think I don't know that?" he snaps.

“All I want to know is why I have to be married to receive the monthly allowance from my trust fund. I’m not even sure I want it. And why do you want me to have any of your money?”

“Because I promised your mom that if she passed away, I would look out for you. She had ovarian cancer once when you were three or four. She would post pics of you so I could see you.”

I scream, “Just freaking tell me why I have to be married. I really need to get my car towed back here and fixed, which is why Corbin rescued me and took me to a damn wedding where I was having fun until I heard you talk about me like a piece of property. So don’t act like you love me… or used to love me or wanted to know me. I know my mom. I’m the one who took care of her when she was sick and dying. I was the one who didn’t get a full childhood so I could help pay our bills.”

His eyes fall to the floor before they land on mine. “She wanted you to find love before you had money.”

“You fucked her nearly twenty-two years ago. How did she even know you would have money?” I ask with poison lacing my voice.

“I’m from a wealthy family, but after she had her first bout with cancer when you were young, she called. We met up, and I agreed to her deal.”

A few beats pass, and I’m moments away from falling apart. “Why didn’t you want me?”

“I always wanted you, but it’s complicated. I’ll get your car towed and fixed, just let me know where it’s located.”

I can't believe the audacity of this man. A scoff escapes my throat, which quickly turns into a maniacal laugh. "You've got to be kidding me," I say through gritted teeth. "I don't want anything from you. Nothing."

My eyes flare in fury and humiliation, and my voice reflects the resentment and pain burning inside me. “You didn’t even show up to her funeral. Didn’t pay a dime for it. Instead, you made the teenage daughter whom you didn’t even know work to pay the funeral expenses and for the hole in the ground where her body lies. Do you know how hard that was?” Tears of anger fill my lids, and I try to blink them away.

“I’m sorry, Oakley. I thought I was doing what your mom wanted.”

“Say it again, and I swear to God, I’ll make you wish you never met her… or me.”

He takes a tentative step toward me and says, “I hope you find a man worthy of you. You have so much passion that I know he’ll be a lucky man.” His hand brushes my arm and even though I want to succumb to my father’s touch, he doesn’t deserve to be let off the hook so easily.

I make a mad dash out of the office, passing Jim and Clay who give me a tight-lipped smile, and get on the elevator. I’m so lost in thought and furious that I get off and realize I’m at the arena level instead of parking. So, I walk in and see Corbin and a teammate practicing.

He skates like it’s easier than walking, just gliding through the ice. Something about it is healing, mesmerizing, actually. Corbin is smoother than the other guy, but they feed each other repeatedly, scoring from different angles.

This is how Corbin works out his frustration. He’s now calm and focused, but we left the same office in much the same way—enraged.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

corbin

My doorbell rings,and I’m expecting my sister. I call out, “Just a minute.” I put on a pair of shorts and when I answer the door, my heart rate instantly increases. “Oakley, I’m not in the mood to argue with you. I didn’t press charges; consider yourself lucky and leave me alone. I’m tired of being taken advantage of.”

She pushes past me. “We need to talk.”

“What do we have to talk about?”

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