Page 111 of As The Shifter World Turns

“What time did you arrange the meeting?” I asked.

“You think I would do that without talking to…” I rolled my eyes and he quickly said, “Does now work?”

“Yes, Daire. Now works.”

Neil

“We need a word.” Joshua’s father was in my face—again.

He had this notion that Joshua was going to be a professional sportsperson one day. He hadn’t even decided which sport. He forced his son to participate in soccer, football, hockey and who knew what else when the poor kid just wanted to act and dance. I felt bad for him.

Especially when it came to hockey season. Joshua said those practices were at four a. m. because that was the only ice time they could get. I couldn’t even. This was supposed to be fun.

“You always let the same kids play.” That wasn’t accurate.

This was a learning league and I rotated a lot with the exception of goalie because that position needed a pair of practiced hands. Not all kids had that skill. There were two in the current team and no one else had expressed an interest in being goalie. And again… this was a fun league. No one here was going pro. Not even close.

“I’m sorry that you feel that way.” Because I sure as shit wasn’t going to apologize for something I didn’t do. “I can assure you Joshua gets his fair share of playing time.”

“He does not and neither does Gene.” Great, a second father was joining in the fun. “They’re by far the best players and you opt to have your friend’s children out there longer than the most talented.”

I needed a freaking drink or five. Gene could barely kick the ball when it was standing still. I wasn’t sure what talent his father saw, but there was none. And even with that he had a fair amount of time on the pitch.

And friends? Who were all these friends I had because at last check I had exactly one friend out here and it was Martin. Toby hadn’t even played yet today because his cleats broke during warm-ups. Instead of going home, he decided to just watch. We were going to go cleat shopping—the three of us—afterward.

“I don’t see this as being accurate.” Martin came to my side. “But if you’d like, I’d be glad to analyze all the pitch times and we can enter them into a spreadsheet for the next game.” Both the fathers’ jaws dropped. “I mean if there’s a discrepancy we should deal with that. Next year is competitive and only the best get to play. Your sons could really benefit from more playing time. It would be a shame if they missed out.”

They both stomped off.

“Thanks.” I wasn’t even sure how it worked.

“No biggie. I wasn’t going to let their bullying take away from other kids,” he shrugged. I hadn’t really thought of it that way. I was too busy trying to figure out what theheck was happening.

“I guess I owe you dinner.” I smiled sweetly at him just as I was about to blow the whistle.

“You don’t, but I’ll accept.”

Ivor

I scrolled through the pages looking for the perfect place to take Ryder for our date. I wanted to officially ask him to be mine for always and finally agree to move in. It was a huge step. Bigger than huge. And if I had been asked even a couple of weeks ago if I’d ever take it, I’d have said it wasn’t in the near future.

But something changed. Ryder was sleeping better. He no longer had nightmares about Kellan. He didn’t freeze up every time his phone buzzed. He didn’t look behind him when we were out in public. It was like Kellan was finally gone and the only two people in our relationship were us.

I loved it.

I should’ve known it was too good to be true.

“Where’s your boss?” Kellan was standing in the doorway like the freaking bad penny he was.

“Not your business.” I set down my tablet. “You can leave now. You have no business here.” I stood up, needing him to see he no longer impacted my life. “See yourself out or do I need to call for an escort?”

He cackled. He fucking cackled.

“That’s not how this works.” He stalked over to me. “You tell me where he is or you call him in. You’re the employee not the boss.”

My confidence started to waver. He was too close, too insistent. I was missing something—something huge.

“I’m not playing games.” I barked and picked up the office phone.

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