Page 104 of Nanny for the Athletes

Beth

I was already dealing with an enormous personal bombshell. The news that two of my boyfriends were all but certain to be traded away once the season was over. It was like getting dumped by two guyssimultaneously,even though they had no control over the situation.

Then I was handed papers informing me that my ex-boyfriend was even more bitter than I ever could have imagined.

Logan came storming out of the house like a German Shepherd on the attack. He immediately stood in front of me and started snarling at the poor guy who had delivered the papers.

“It’s from Trip, my ex-boyfriend,” I explained. “He’ssuingme. Taking me to small claims court.”

Logan rounded on me. “Over a fuckinghockey ticket?”

Behind him, the man who had served me with the court order jumped in his car and quickly drove away.

“Unbelievable,” Braden said. “I’ll write that asshole a check. Anything to get him off your back.”

I pulled my phone out and immediately called Trip. He answered on the first ring. “Hello?” he said, as if he couldn’t see who was calling. As if he hadn’t expected this.

“You’re suing me?Seriously?”

“My lawyer has advised me not to discuss this case with you.” I could hear the smarmy grin in his voice.

“Lawyer?Lawyer?This is small claims court! What’s the point in hiring a lawyer when you’re suing someone over…” I glanced at the page. “Eight hundred dollars?”

“It’s about doing what’s right,” Trip said. “I hope you regret the way you’ve treated me now, Elizabeth.”

He hung up.

I wanted to spike my phone into the ground like Braden celebrating a touchdown, but I managed to control my emotions. Still, I let out a frustrated shout that caused all the dogs in the field to come running over to the fence in a big pack.

“You okay, Ms. Foster?” Suzie asked, approaching the fence.

Ken was walking next to her, wringing his hands nervously. “I really didn’t mean to upset everyone with the trade news…”

“It’s not that,” I explained. “It’s some personal drama.”

“Oh. Okay, then.” Ken and Suzie turned around and walked back to the kennel. It sounded like they were having a heated discussion about something. I caught the words “cleric” and “paladin.”

“Seriously, I’m going to write that asshole a check,” Braden insisted. “That’ll put an end to all of this.”

“I don’t want your money. I can pay Trip myself.”

“You’re not really considering paying that cunt, are you?” Logan demanded.

“I’d rather do that than go to court over it.”

“It’s clearly not about the money,” Christian said. “Your ex is just using whatever methods he can to stay in your life. To manipulate you. If you pay him off, he’ll just find another way to punish you for dumping him.”

Logan pointed a finger at Christian. “Smartest thing he’s ever said. I’ll solve this problem by paying Trip a visit.”

“That isnotwhat I was suggesting,” Christian quickly said.

“What are you going to do?” Braden asked. “Drive to Trip’s house and punch him in the face?”

Logan blinked at him. “Yes.”

Braden busted out laughing.

“You can’t solve all your problems by punching them,” Christian insisted.

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