Page 153 of Unraveling Rain
Rain is surprisingly calm. Maybe sharing with her family and getting their full support gave her some peace.
I’m just grateful I’ll be here for the next couple of days, in case she needs me.
“Are you going to the arena now?” she asks, stepping out of the bathroom, towel in hand as she dries her hair.
“Yes. I’m skating with Nico and Viktor for a bit, lunch at the facility, and then training.”
I tie my shoes and walk into our closet, where she’s shimmying into corduroy pants, still just in her bra.
“What are you planning to do today?” I ask, sliding up behind her and resting my hands on her waist.
She leans back into me.
“I have a meeting with the manager of a restaurant downtown. I told him about my experience in Azalea Creek, and since they specialize in Southern food, he wants to hear my thoughts on the menu. If I have ideas to improve it, they’ll pay me for my recipes.”
I smile and kiss her neck.
“That sounds wonderful, Cherry. I’m proud of you.”
She squeezes my hands and steps away to pick out a black top with white flowers.
“Thank you, Hotshot. I guess I’ll see you tonight for dinner?”
“Yeah, I’ll be home right after training is over. Do you want to go out?” I ask, not wanting her to cook dinner after a day of cooking for someone else.
“Hmm, I’m not sure. We can decide tonight,” she says, just as my phone vibrates with a message.
Coach: Xander, do you think you can come to the arena a few minutes before morning skate? Erik and I would like to speak with you.
Xander: Sure, Coach. I’m on my way.
“What happened?” Rain asks, her brows knitting in concern.
“Not sure, but Coach and Erik—the general manager—want to talk to me.” I slide my phone into my pocket.
Her phone buzzes on the vanity. She grabs it, and her face flushes as she reads.
I move beside her. She passes me the phone.
The moment I see it’s a text—from Dennis—my blood boils.
Dennis: I just got a call from the Azalea Creek Police Department. Really, Rain? You want to press charges? I have a wife and a daughter. Do you want to destroy my family? All I wanted was to talkwith you! I didn’t remember you being this bratty, but I guess people change—and it looks like you took a bad turn.
“The nerve of this guy,” Rain mutters, pacing the closet in tight circles, taking deep breaths.
I place the phone back on the vanity, jaw tight. I want to reply. Tell him he deserves this and more. But I won’t do anything to jeopardize Rain’s report.
“What do you want to do?” I ask.
“I want to tell him that’s what he gets for approaching you,” she says, then sighs. “But I think the smart thing to do is to contact Chief Whitaker.”
I nod and open my arms. She walks straight into them.
“Smart move, babe,” I say, kissing the top of her head.
She grabs her phone and taps a couple of times before putting the call on speaker.
“This is Chief Whitaker.”
