Chapter 25 #2
Audrey puts her hands on her hips, rolling her eyes. “Please. Preston got a DUI last week, and Paige’s husband got another woman pregnant. Me kissing a quarterback in public is the least of your worries.”
Mrs. Carrington gasps in horror, throwing a hand up to cover her mouth. I see when her eyes change, a calculated and savage look filling her gaze. Her hand flies forward, striking Audrey’s cheek quicker than I can step in to block.
“You deceitful cow. You are a disgrace, Audrey Michelle. The only one in our family we’re disappointed in is you,” she growls. The hatred emanating from this woman is appalling, and I step forward, pushing Audrey behind me.
“That’s enough.”
Mrs. Carrington laughs haughtily. “I don’t think so. An athlete won’t tell me how to treat my daughter. Do you have any idea who you’re dealing with?”
I raise an eyebrow at her. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
“Does it really matter? A quarterback. A nothing. My family could destroy you.”
I chuckle. “So you don’t know who I am. Cool.”
She scoffs, and Audrey peeks around my side. “Don’t antagonize her. It’s not worth it. My mother is petty and cruel, and she’ll try to take you down.”
“She couldn’t if she tried.” I look at Audrey’s mother with a sinister grin. “Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer. Audrey, did you know your parent’s company was just partnered with another real estate firm?”
“Uh, I didn’t know that.”
I watch as Mrs. Carrington begins to put two-and-two together as I continue.
“I may be ‘just an athlete,’ but this athlete happens to own multiple businesses across the country, one of which is Pinnacle Asset Management. You see, Audrey, Real Estate Consultants hasn’t been doing well for quite some time.
And since they’ve regularly had to bail your brother out of a variety of bad decisions, REC is losing money fast. It was mere coincidence that my team began speaking to them about working together to salvage REC around the same time I met you.
And as soon as you began to tell me about how awful your parents are, my plans for REC changed. ”
“What are you planning to do?” her mother whispers.
I sigh cheerfully. “Systematically disassemble your precious company until there’s nothing left, of course. It’s already in motion.”
“What about all the employees? You’ll put that many people out of jobs for some personal vendetta? Audrey, how can you allow this to happen?” Mrs. Carrington’s voice has risen comically, like a bad cartoon villain who struggles when they’re caught.
“Mother, you would throw every single person under the boat if it kept you afloat. And I didn’t let anything happen.
This is the first time I’m hearing anything about Jamie’s business ventures.
” Audrey’s voice is calm, but when she peers up at me, I see her eyes are sparkling with mirth.
“And here I thought you were only good at doing two things.”
“Jack of all trades,” I answer. “But I’m intrigued. What are the two things?”
“Well, football, of course.”
“Obviously,” I reply, chuckling as I pull her into my side. “And the other thing I’m good at doing?”
She smiles devilishly. “Me.”
I lean down and kiss her cheek gently, right over the reddening skin.
I wish I’d realized what Mrs. Carrington planned to do ten seconds quicker than I did, so I could have protected Audrey.
“That is my favorite thing to do. It turns out, I’m proficient at quite a few things, and one of them is making money.
Did you know I’m actually a billionaire? ”
Her eyes widen. “You’re joking.”
“Nope.”
Audrey taps her lips as we walk past her mother, who is crying quietly. “How does one become a billionaire? Is it by dismantling companies run by awful parents?”
“Usually, no. Destroying your parents was just a lovely side gig this year. I’ve gotten my hands into quite a few pots over the years.
Got some minority stakes in a few sports teams, and I’ve invested in a production company in LA.
But mostly it’s making excellent decisions in stocks and investment properties.
If you ever want to vacation somewhere, I probably have a property there, or I know someone who does. ”
“Good to know. But last week was the first vacation I’ve taken in quite a few years, so it’s safe to say I don’t leave town too often.”
“That’s going to change, Doc.”
“It is?”
“Yes. I’m making it my mission to show you the world.”
Her arm tightens around my waist. “As long as I’m with you, I don’t care where we are. I think my favorite place to be will always be right next to you.”
I kiss the top of her head, loving how her hair tickles my nose. “You have your hair down tonight.”
“I’ve been leaving it down more often,” she says quietly. “Because I know it’s your favorite.”
It absolutely is.
As we walk back into the ballroom, I’m surprised to find Chelsea at the podium, handling the auction with ease.
Maddox is up, arms crossed over his chest, as he glares at someone in the audience.
He’s holding a whining puppy that looks very confused by its surroundings, and Maddox absentmindedly scratches its neck.
“Ladies, remember your date can be anything you want! Dinner and a movie, picnic in the park. Or make them take you up in a private jet and join the mile high club! There is no limit. Use your imagination! The last bid was five thousand dollars, going once … going twice …”
“Ten thousand dollars!”
Audrey gasps, her body stiffening. Turning to her, I ask, “What’s wrong?”
“That’s Claire!” The woman stalking to the front looks furious, and taking a quick glance at Maddox shows me he isn’t thrilled with the turn of events either.
Audrey steps forward from where we’re hidden off to the side of the stage, but I pull her back into my arms. I want to see how this plays out.
Claire stops before the stage, positively fuming, as Maddox squats down so they’re eye-to-eye. “You want that quickie now, don’t you, Sunshine?”
“No way,” Audrey hisses. “He tried to proposition her earlier tonight!”
The grin Claire gives Maddox is menacing. “I’m going to make your life a living hell.”
Maddox chuckles, then stands upright. “You’ll be begging for my cock before we even get to the main course.”
Claire laughs. “That little thing? Doubtful. I will, however, place a friendly wager with you.”
“Oh yeah? I like winning. What are the stakes?”
“Whoever gives in first.”
“And what do you get if you somehow manage to win?” Maddox asks boastfully.
“You donate one million dollars to wherever I tell you to.”
Maddox whistles. “Jesus, Sunshine. A million? That’s a hefty sum.”
“I looked up your most recent contract. I know you can afford it.”
“Alright. And when I win?”
Claire crosses her arms, forcing Maddox’s gaze to dip. “When?”
He gives a feral smile. “Oh yeah, Sunshine. When I win. You’re mine for a month, to do with how I please.”
Claire holds out her hand, which Maddox takes. They shake, and then Claire turns, stalking away. I turn to Audrey. “What the hell was that?”
“I don’t know, but I think it’ll be fun to watch whatever happens with them.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see my coach stalk onto the stage, holding a leash with an absolutely massive puppy attached, clearly angry he is forced to participate. “Speaking of bets, my coach is up next, because he lost a bet to Jax’s coach.”
“Up next, we have Colorado Coyotes head coach, Silas Youngstown! At a whopping six - five, Coach Youngstown is starting his second season with the Coyotes. He’s still got a lot of years left, at only forty-eight years old.
He’s accompanied by Winston Furchill, a six-month old mastiff and Labrador mix.
You’ll definitely need a large yard to train this one …
and the puppy, too. Coach, you want to strut your stuff? ”
“No.”
“Alright then,” Chelsea says nonchalantly. “He’s a growly one, ladies. It says here that, in his spare time, Coach likes long walks on the beach, braiding a woman’s hair, and writing a sonnet or two.”
“The fuck I do!” Coach yells, turning to where I stand with Audrey. She’s standing with her back resting against me, and I’ve got my arms wrapped around her with my chin resting on top of her head. “Guess you’re wanting a lot of footwork drills this week. That about right, asshole?”
I attempt to hide my smile against Audrey’s hair, but I see Coach’s eyes narrow. “Totally worth it!”
“Okay. Let’s start the bidding at five hundred dollars.”
Coach rubs the bridge of his nose with one hand as bids come in. A group of women outbid each other until the bids stop at fifteen thousand dollars. Coach’s face rivals a tomato, until one voice clearly rises above the rest.
“One hundred thousand dollars.” I watch as a pretty, young thing walks toward the stage.
Not rail-thin, but not plus size either, with light brown hair and blue eyes, she strides toward Coach with confidence.
She can’t be more than thirty, and Coach’s mouth drops open.
She peers up at Coach with a smile. “Surprised to see me, Silas?”
He only nods, his mouth open in shock. Their gazes don’t break as Chelsea announces Coach has been sold, but then I hear a voice I absolutely do recognize shout, “Motherfucker, did you sleep with my granddaughter?”
Oh shit.