Page 31 of Shot on Goal at a Second Chance
Her words strike a raw place in me I didn’t know existed. Guess I buried it down well enough to believe it didn’t exist anymore.
“So, you’re cool with Florida being home base?”
“Find something near the beach, and we’re good.”
I chuckle. “Deal.”
“Uncle Zach?”
“Yeah, peanut?”
“I can’t wait to meet her.” Her voice sounds dreamy as if she’s watching one of those rom-com movies she loves so much.
“Me, too. I think you two will hit it off.”
“I have to get to class, but I want details next time. Promise?”
“I promise.”
The connection ends, showing me the time. I have a meeting with a real estate agent this afternoon, but I’m rethinking the specifications I gave her. If I plan to make Sarabella my permanent home—with Rebecca—we might need something a little bigger than a condo.
I’m moving fast—I know. Maybe it’s the hockey player in me, but one thing is certain.
I’m not letting a chance to build a life with Rebecca slip out of my hands again.
CHAPTER 15
Rebecca
For the last several weeks, Jack has avoided me. When I’ve tried to catch him in his office, he either just left or is working from home since we’re in between seasons.
Poor Harper. I can tell she’s miserable trying to cover for him, which makes me even angrier at the man for putting his own flesh and blood in such an awkward position.
Meanwhile, my days have been filled with overseeing the ongoing renovations in the arena, plans for next season, and helping Gabe with the training camp he’s implementing with the team. Most of the guys still come to the arena to train and work out during the summer anyway, so having time to acclimate to their new coach seemed to invigorate them about the upcoming season.
And then there’s Zach, who shows up with lunch on the days we won’t see each other in the evenings. Between our work schedules and his recent travels to Connecticut to visit Laney or in meetings with the SportsCentralexecutive team, we haven’t seen each other as much as he’d like.
Or that I’d like, for that matter. True to his word, Zach has taken every opportunity to show me how serious he is about us. When he’s not in town, he calls every evening, keeping me on the phone for hours. And when he’s here, he’s attentive, caring, and so very thoughtful of my needs, making me feel very spoiled and a little guilty.
Which is why I’m racking my brain, trying to think up something special to do for him. Something unexpected and romantic, like he’s done for me.
At the moment, however, I have to finish crafting an email to Jack, outlining my grievances and alerting him to the need for a discussion. I’m doing my due diligence in case this situation goes seriously south, which I suspect it will.
A knock on my door draws my attention upward. Gabe stares at me, looking more serious than I’ve ever seen him. In the short time he’s been here, I’ve observed more of his stoic nature. He’s a man of few words, but when he does speak, he’s thoughtful and often wise.
I close my laptop and wave him in.
“Sorry to interrupt, but this is important.”
The knot sitting in my stomach from writing that email twists a little tighter. What drama is about to land in my lap now?
“Okay, fill me in so we can deal with it.” I point to the chair in front of my desk.
Closing the door, Gabe nods his approval and then sits down. “One of the players asked me if the team isrelocating, which I find incredulous and unlikely since you never mentioned that possibility during my interview or in my contract.”
I appreciate Gabe’s approach to giving me the benefit of the doubt. And I suspect I know who’s behind this latest hiccup.
Bristling, I tighten my lips. “And who did this player hear it from?”
