Chapter 52
FIFTY-TWO
SIENNA
Beckett: Didn’t Sienna and Noah look good together last night?
Brooks: Ah, man, don’t start.
Aiden: Aw, I agree they were awfully cute.
Brooks: She’s our sister.
Aiden: And he’s Noah. Greatest guy ever.
Aiden: Don’t the two of you have matching tattoos? He’s practically a brother.
Beckett: We don’t have matching tattoos.
Gavin: And we’re not getting them. Also no. Sienna is not dating one of my players.
Beckett: Lennox did.
Beckett: Sara too.
Beckett: I think this might be the best Bolts match to date. Maybe even MY best one yet.
Brooks: Lol. There’s no fighting this, is there?
Aiden: Wait, Lex and I are definitely your best match.
Aiden: Lex and I are perfect for one another.
Aiden: Take it back and I’ll name our first kid after you.
Brooks: Lol. Lennox just smacked him.
Brooks: Beckett, I’m offended.
Brooks: Sorry, Sara took my phone.
Aiden: So back to Sienna and Noah. Yea or nay?
Oh, my god. Wrong chat, you idiots.
I consider allowing them to continue. The banter is comedy gold, really. But honestly, I’m not interested in how the rest of them answer that question.
Me: Hey, big brothers, as fun as this has been—by that, I mean not at all—please, for the love of god, mind your business! You don’t get a say in who I date.
Aiden: I hear you, but like…what are the chances you’ll go out with him again?
Beckett: Duck, I texted the wrong chat. Sorry, sis. I love you and only want you to be happy. Please don’t tell Liv I broke the pact!
I laugh. “Wow, they fell for it, hook, line, and sinker.”
Noah snuggles into my neck, reading the text thread over my shoulder.
“I told you this would work,” I say, excitement making me loopy. “Let’s give it a couple of weeks, then I’ll bring you to family dinner at Beckett’s. We’ll thank him for setting us up and give him all the credit, then boom, we’re good.” I spin around and press a kiss to his lips.
“You sure you’re ready for that?” He angles back, holding his breath like he’s concerned about how I’ll answer.
I give him another peck, grinning. There’s no thought needed. I love this man. I want a future with him. “I’m beyond ready.”
After a weekend spent in bed, making love and making plans for the future, I head into work Monday morning, on cloud nine.
It’s almost time to fill my brothers in on what I’m going to do about my career. With any luck, my last act as CEO of the Bolts will be signing off on the deal that will keep Noah on the team for another few years.
From there, I’ll begin my next chapter.
I couldn’t be more ready.
I know what I want, and as exciting as Cat’s offer was, I’m not quite ready to hang up my designing hat.
Seeing my sisters-in-law in my designs this weekend cemented it for me. The way their faces lit up as they tried on pieces that made them feel both beautiful and authentic fulfilled me in ways I’ve never experienced.
That solidified my decision not to open another design house.
I want to do what I did for them for my customers.
Custom gowns and custom designs for people of all shapes and sizes.
I want to work with individuals, taking into account their preferences, their comfort levels, and their figures, and find styles that will make them feel good not only in my designs but in their own skin.
Something Beckett said weeks ago resonated with me. He wants his wife to see herself the way he sees her.
And I want that for all my clients.
Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. There is beauty in everyone, and I want to accentuate that.
Yes, my best friend will be disappointed when I break the news, but Cat will find another stellar candidate for the role.
And if I know her, she’ll be the biggest supporter of my new plans.
I’m lucky like that. Lucky to be surrounded by a family so caring that they interfere in my life constantly.
Lucky to have friends who love me and respect me enough to offer me incredible experiences and career options.
And I’m lucky I have a man who loves me and supports me and will be proud no matter what I choose to do with my life.
I’m waiting for my inbox to update when there’s a quick knock on the door and Ezra appears, a smirk on his face. “You get my email?”
His expression gives me pause, and the almost giddy tone of his voice makes anxiety zip down my spine. What the hell is this man up to now?
I arch a brow and look back at my computer. “Checking my inbox now. How about we set up a meeting to discuss the topic this afternoon? That will give me time to read it first.”
In other words, go the fuck away.
Rather than take the hint, he saunters in and sits across from me.
There is nothing I despise more than men who think they can control my time, but rather than fight with him, I give in.
“Nah, we can go over it now.” He nods at my screen. “Why don’t you open it up?”
I push away from my desk and cross my arms. Two can play at this stupid game. “Actually, since you’re here, why don’t you just tell me?”
The man smirks. “Harrison’s agent is asking for ten million and a guaranteed five seasons.”
I keep my expression neutral, but even I know that’s a big ask. Noah is the best winger in the league. He’s also thirty-five. It’s hard to believe he’ll play five more seasons.
“So we ask for three seasons instead.”
That’s probably what Noah is hoping for anyway.
Ezra scoffs. “Why would we pay him ten million a year when we could bring in Huey Davis for pennies on the dollar?”
I blink slowly. “Because Huey Davis isn’t Noah Harrison.”
“So we move Hall back up to the first line.” He lifts a shoulder lazily. “He’s got chemistry with War and Aiden. Snow’s a good backup, and we can bring on a whole handful of rookies for what it would cost to keep Harrison. Hell, I could get two hall-of-famers for the same price.”
It takes effort not to roll my eyes. “We should make the deal. Noah’s worth it.”
Ezra scrunches his nose. “I don’t agree, and it’s my decision.”
“It’s the wrong one,” I grit out.
“Why do you care so much? Sparks fly during that dance on Friday night?”
I clamp down on my armrests, fighting the annoyance pushing to take over. “I care because he’s the best winger we’ve seen in a long time. Trading him would be a mistake. Maybe we should bring Gavin in here. Get his opinion.” I pick up my phone. “It is his team, after all.”
“I saw you at Allure.”
The words make my blood run cold. And I think my heart stops right there in my office at Lang Field Corp.
The phone clatters into its cradle. “What?”
Completely at ease, he kicks back in the chair. “Yup. Saw you with our star winger. The one you’re so set on keeping. Willing to pay ten million just to get laid again? I woulda done it for free, ya know.” He waggles his brows.
Nausea rolls in my stomach. This fucking pig. “Excuse me?”
He angles forward, his elbows hitting his knees, and stares me down. “I saw you with him.” He tilts his head. “And not just him. If that’s what you’re into, I’m sure I could find a buddy to bring along.”
I clasp my hands in an effort to stop them from shaking. It’s no use. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Nothing.” He leans back and shrugs like he didn’t just proposition me or call me a whore. “If that’s not your thing, we can make another deal.”
“Have you lost your goddamn mind?” I hiss.
He shakes his head. “Nah. I’m just the guy lucky enough to stumble upon the Langfield princess acting a certain way.
Even got some grainy video.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket and waves it around like it’s a damn prize.
“We can call your brother in now if you want. Maybe ask him for his opinion on that.”
I tug at my shirt, in need of air. This can’t be happening. Not again. I can’t put my brothers’ company at risk. I can’t lose everything again. Fuck.
And Noah? If that video got out? Forget his career. I have no idea how Jen would react. And one day Ollie might hear about it.
My stomach rolls at the thought. Fuck, fuck, fuck. What have I done?
“What do you want?” I ask, all my bravado gone. I’ll give him anything if it means keeping this information private.
And he knows it. It’s why he walked in here with so much swagger. He was always going to walk out of this conversation on top.
His slimy smile sends chills through me.
“What I want is for you to back off. For the next year, whatever I say goes. I have plans for this team. We’ll get another Stanley Cup, and you and your little boyfriend and your freaky ways won’t get in the way of that.
” His eyes darken. His tone does too. “Harrison is gone. I have plans to restructure this team. Push out the guys already past their prime. War will be retiring soon, and Brooks won’t be far behind him.
If you sign off on every deal I make, then we’re good. ”
I cycle through a thousand scenarios, but none of my options are good.
If I tell my brothers, they’ll have my back.
But that means giving them all the nitty-gritty details.
That means letting them bail me out. And if I do, there’s still a chance Ezra will release the video.
But staying in this position for another year?
God, it’s like another damn prison sentence.
No matter what I do, I lose. And Noah loses too.
But what choice do I have? “I want the videos deleted and a signed agreement that you’ll never so much as utter my name unless you’re talking to me.”
Ezra pushes up out of his chair. “You know, I thought it was a mistake when they brought you on as CEO. But in reality, this is perfect. If they’d hired someone who understands hockey, I’d have to fight them every step of the way.
” He nods and strolls to the door. “I’ll have my attorney send over the paperwork. ”
My stomach rolls. Another settlement. Another damn deal. Is this ever going to end? When do I get my damn happily ever after?