Page 92 of Three Pucking Words
I hit someone.
Ihitmy ex-husband.
I swallow and lower my hand, trying not to seem phased by the impulsive decision. “Never speak of my father. Or me. Or anyone else I care about. Even if I were stupid enough to let you back in, to help you, that doesn’t mean my dad will. He never liked you and he never will.”
There’s a red mark on his face as he stares at me in disbelief. It takes him a few seconds before he stands a little taller. “That’s assault, you know. I could file charges and have your ass put away.”
It’s Bodhi who speaks up. “But you won’t.” It’s not a threat. But a warning. “It would be he-said she-said, anyway. And nobody saw it happen.”
“There are cameras—”
“Are there?” Bodhi asks, letting go of my hand and crossing his arms over his chest. He usually seems so…soft. Caring. Non-threatening. This version of him is different.
Possessive.
Domineering.
All business.
This is the version people see on the ice.
On their TV screens.
I’m not used to it.
But I find it kind of hot.
Max, to my complete shock, stands down. “I just need a signature. She owes me that much. We were married. I bought her a ring.”
This son of a—“A piece of jewelry that meant nothing to you,” I point out gingerly. “It held no weight, Max. You were never in it for the right reasons. You used me to get to my dad. Be real for once in your life.”
Bodhi reclaims my hand while addressing Max. “You’re not getting a signature. I’m going to make damn sure you won’t be getting any from anyone in the NHL. If you pull any more of this shit, if you so much as reach out to Honor, I’ll make sure your company goes belly up. You’ll fuckingwishyou kept the money that you spent on her mother. Understand me, Decker?”
Max’s jaw grinds. “You benefit from the games just as much as I do. People love to play the characters. To feel like they get the experience. Imakeyou more popular.”
“You. Fucking. Wish.” Bodhi’s words are slow and meticulous. “It’s the other way around, and we both know it. Without the NHL, you would be nothing. If you hadn’t used Honor for her connections, you would have nothing. Be a nobody. And I promise you, Decker, I can still make that happen if you don’t stop harassing her. That means no texts. No calls. And if I hear that you used anyone else to get to her, consider your life over. You’ll have to sell that watch and everything else you own to keep up the high life.”
Max breaks eye contact first, his throat bobbing and his fists clenching and unclenching.
I stop staring at Bodhi and move my eyes back to my mother. I hate that she looks pleadingly at me, as if this is hurtingher. “I don’t want to hear from you. You should be ashamed of yourselffor being part of this ploy. There’s a reason he and I are divorced. Probably the same reason you and I don’t talk. We don’t know each other. We don’t share the same love I have for Mila or her parents who were a better family to me than you ever were. If you knew me, or cared, you would have never come here and tried acting like it was for me.”
“Honor, baby—”
“I’m done,” I repeat more firmly. “I’m done with Max. I’m done with you. And I’m leaving now. I hope you get your act together someday. I won’t be around to witness it either way.”
I tug on Bodhi’s hand and feel him follow without much resistance.
It isn’t until we’re on the sidewalk with a cool breeze hitting my skin when he asks, “Are you okay, honey?”
I nod, even though I’m not.
“It could be worse,” he offers lightly.
I look up at him with pinched brows. “How?”
He gives me a sheepish smile. “They could be sleeping together. That’s definitely what I thought was going on when they walked in.”
I gag at the thought that I’m going to need to bleach out of my brain. “Oh my god!No!”
