Page 19 of Easton

“Uh-huh.” She sniffs. “Sure there is.”

She knows, but thankfully she drops the subject. Though I’m sure I’ll hear about it again at some point in time.

But I’m safe for now.

To keep it that way, after we say a few more words, I wrap up.

“Thank God that’s done,” I lament as I toss my phone onto the coffee table.

I fall back on the sofa.

I’m alone and at my house. I came back here to pick up some clothes and things until I have a chance to move the rest of my crap up to Easton’s place.

We returned to Phoenix earlier today.

The wedding yesterday was…interesting. I felt more emotions than I expected to, but I had no regrets marrying Easton.

I still don’t.

He’s just so amazing.

I can’t believe he did this for me.

I was even sort of hoping he’d kiss me for real when we became husband and wife in the chapel. But it probably was for the best that he gave me a quick peck on the lips. I need to keep the situation in perspective. He did this to help me out as a friend.

And we are great friends. Still.

I can’t believe how we picked right up where we left off so long ago. Within minutes of being reunited, it was like only ten days, not ten years, had passed.

So, yeah, I don’t think doing what I had to do to access my trust fund is going to be all that bad. Being married to my good friend might even be fun. And being a hockey player’s wife is certainly cool.

Speaking of my trust fund, the call to my mom was my second of the day.

The first one was to my dad.

Oh man, was he surprised to hear that I’m now married.

I think he suspected the truth as well, but he didn’t outright verbalize it like my mom did. With a long, resigned sigh, he just agreed to release my money to me on my birthday, which is in two days.

I didn’t ask about the exact amount I’ll be receiving. I already know it’s a lot. One thing, I’ll have to hire financial advisers for sure.

But I want to keep an eye on what I invest in as well. That’s why I’m thinking I’ll probably leave my real estate career behind. I may go back to it at some point, but who knows?

Besides having a role in managing this money, I want to start and be involved with a charity of some sort.

It’s important for me to give back.

I’ve already told Easton all of this, and he loves the idea of a charity or a foundation. He wants to be a part of it too.

That’s great, as he can bring a lot of attention and visibility to any endeavor since he’s a Bears player.

We’ve been discussing a bunch of ideas, and we’re leaning toward creating a foundation to benefit the local children’s hospital.

Nothing is set in stone yet, though.

So much is happening that we need to take things one day at a time for now.

Nevertheless, I intend to make sure every day is better than the one before—for me, for Easton, for my mom, for Madison, for everyone.

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