Page 28 of Ice Cold Rival

I offered her a smile and gestured toward the chaos Eva sowed when she came into town. “We have some friends over, so there’s no room.”

She squinted toward our house across the street, and I wondered if she really hadn’t noticed all the cars until just now. The woman had to be seventy, and she usually wore glasses on a chain around her neck—conspicuously absent at the moment.

“So it seems.” Her gaze returned to me, standing next to my car, and I swear she sniffed like in one of those old movies. “Make sure you move it before the street sweepers come through in the morning.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And tell Cole he doesn’t need to come by this week. My grandson is staying with me for a little bit. It’ll do him some good to practice responsibility for once.” She sent me a pointed look, and I tried not to take offense that my elderly hermit neighbor also thought I was irresponsible.

“Yes, ma’am,” I repeated, unable to think of anything else to say.

Why hadn’t anyone warned meeveryoneassumed I was worthless?

My phone rang as I crossed the street, and I groaned at the name on the screen. Everyone except Gram, who’d called me three times in the last two days. I should probably answer one of them. Not this one though.

I’d barely cleared the sidewalk when another call came through. Frustration slowed my steps, but the tightness in my chest released when I saw Mom’s name.Hercall I’d answer every time.

“Hey Mom, what’s up?”

“I can’t call my favorite and only son on a Saturday morning for no reason?”

I chuckled and took a seat on our stoop. “Sure, but you usually respect game days. And I know you’re probably in your home office preparing to sue the pants off somebody.”

She tsked. “I know it’s not a game day, and I already finished my briefs. But you’re right. Loretta called me this morning and left a nasty message with my assistant.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “What does Gram want?”

“You, my darling boy. I bore her the only grandchild, and she’s eager for you to ascend to your throne atop the company. She seems to believe I’m the one holding you back.” Even with the thick sarcasm, her anger came through loud and clear.

Gram refused to believe I truly wanted to play hockey. In the last few weeks, she’d stepped up her campaign to have me shadow her at the company as some sort of internship for passing the torch. Yes, I was getting a business degree, but I hoped to use it to invest well with the money I earned playing the sport I loved.

“Sorry, Mom. I’ll talk to her.”

“You will, but make her sweat a little longer. Stacia and I can handle an angry CEO. How’s hockey going? A little bird told me you were pushing for captain this year now that Gavin has left.”

I pursed my lips, not at all surprised she had inside information. “Your little bird is right, and stop calling Cole to spy on me. I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

“Cole is such a sweet boy though. I’m glad you found a solid support system out there. It’ll help you defeat your grandmother when she comes with the full might of her army.”

“Mom, you have to stop watching Game of Thrones reruns.”

“You have your dalliances, I have mine. Speaking of dalliances, when were you going to tell me about?—”

“Nope,” I interrupted her. “I’m not talking about Kenzie. It’s new, and I don’t want her to find out you did a full background check on her.”

She huffed. “What happened to you telling me anything I want to know?”

Sweat dripped down my back, but not from the heat. I didn’t want to lie to her. Mom and I didn’t talk much because she was busy being a ball-busting lawyer, and she could sniff out the truth with annoying accuracy.

“Boundaries. I like her. That’s all you need to know for now.”

Mom paused, gathering her argument. “Are you sure you don’t want me to look into her? After last time…” She trailed off, but I didn’t need her to finish.

The last time I’d had a girlfriend, she’d been more interested in the posh life I could give her than she was in me. Money had a way of attracting the wrong kind of people.

“It’s not the same,” I said quietly.

She blew out a breath. “Okay then. You know I supported your carefree lifestyle, but I’m not sure if I ever told you how smart I thought it was. No muss, no fuss—no chance of litigation. If you’re sure you want to change things, make sure you’re being careful.”

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