17. Serena
SERENA
Do you think Dora the explorer ever knew where she was going? Nope. That poor girl got lost in every single episode, but somehow, she still managed to get there with the help of a monkey and a cute pair of shoes. Pretty sure my monkey is MIA. But hey, at least I have the cute shoes.
—Serena’s Secret Thoughts
Aurora
Did you call the number yet?”
Serena
No. I’ve been interviewing candidates for my replacement.
Aurora
I thought you were in Texas.
Serena
I am. There’s this thing called Zoom. It’s pretty cool. You can talk to people over a computer screen.
Aurora
You can figure that out, but you can’t figure out how to make a phone call . . .
Serena
You’re a pain in my ass. How’s Teagan?
Aurora
She’s home from the hospital and grouchy because she wants to be at the game. And don’t change the subject.
Serena
Well, she should apply for my job as soon as she feels better. I haven’t found a single person who I’d even bother introducing to Dad. And I’m not changing the subject. I haven’t called the number. I feel like you’re setting me up for some kind of Scream-like scenario or something.
Aurora
I promise you there won’t be a creepy mass murderer on the other end of the call. And if you want to get technical, Ghost Face was the one making the call. Not the one answering.
Serena
I’ll only do it if it’s Scream One’s Ghostface. I mean, Skeet Ulrich . . . Enough said. Seriously, did you ever watch Jericho?
Aurora
We really need to get you watching some movies that were made in this century.
Serena
Jericho was a TV show.
Aurora
If you say Riverdale, I’m never speaking to you again.
Serena
I mean, he did age like a fine wine.
Aurora
Call the fucking number, Serena.
I pull the number out of my planner and move to the suite windows overlooking the ice and watch our guys warming up. The suite should be filling up soon, but maybe I’ll just get voicemail.
What the hell.
I dial the number, not knowing what to expect, completely shocked when the call is answered.
“Ty Jerald,” is barked into the phone, and I have to stare at the screen to make sure I’m not imagining this. A moment passes, then another before a throat clears. “Hello?”
Mr. Jerald was never one willing to waste time.
Shit.
“Yes, Mr. Jerald . . . This is Serena Kingston. I’m not sure if you remember me—”
“Of course I remember you, Kingston. I was disappointed when Doc said you weren’t coming back. We miss you on the field. You were a damn fine soccer player and the kind of leader on the field everyone hates to lose. I’ve been expecting your call.”
“You have?” I ask, pressing a hip against the glass.
“I have. I was told you might be interested.”
Is this man speaking in riddles or have I just finally hit max capacity for confusion this weekend? “Interested?”
“In buying the team.”
Holy. Shit.
“Buying the team,” I repeat, knowing there’s no way I heard him right.
“Is there a problem with our connection, Serena? Do you need me to call you back on a different line?”
“No,” I say quickly. “I’m waiting for a hockey game to start and dealing with a few different things at the moment. I apologize.” There. That sounded professional and hopefully less like I’m freaking the fuck out. “I hadn’t realized you were looking to sell the Emerald City FC, Mr. Jerald.”
“Kingston, I’m looking to sell you my soccer club. I think that should put us on a first-name basis,” he chuckles, and I sit down as his words truly hit me for the first time, then grab my pen and planner. “Do you think the club might be something you’re interested in?”
My stomach flips with something that feels an awful lot like excitement.
It’s not like it’s something I’ve ever considered before, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued. “Why are you looking to sell, Ty?”
“The team doesn’t own the stadium. The city of Seattle does.
Apparently, they have big plans that start with demolishing it, and I’m not in a position to rebuild somewhere else.
” He sighs, and I suddenly wish we were having this conversation face-to-face.
“I’m an old man, Serena. If it were twenty years ago, I would have figured this out.
But at this point in my life, I’ve fought the battles I want to fight. Do you know what I mean?”
“I do,” I answer with the kind of confidence that comes after watching your father struggle with his own mortality this past year.
“I thought you might. I also thought, with your family’s connections to the city of Philadelphia and professional sports, you included, that you might be the perfect person to take Emerald City to the next level.”
“By moving it to Philadelphia,” I murmur as I try to follow along. “You want me to buy the team and move it to Philly?”
“Yes, I do.”
The rest of the night feels like a whirlwind I’m caught in the center of. My head is spinning by the time the team jet takes off after the Revolution’s win, and the flight attendant stops by my seat. “Would you like anything to drink, Ms. Kingston?”
“Could I get a glass of ginger ale, please?”
“Of course.” She smiles and drops a cocktail napkin on my tray before she walks away.
Getting comfortable, I kick off my shoes, pull my sweater around my shoulders, and grab my phone from my purse. In the chaos of the night, I haven’t had a chance to check my messages.
Two from Dad, one from Liv, and one from Teagan.
Radio silence from Aurora and Saylor.
Traitors.
Serena
You could have warned me.
Saylor
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Aurora
I do.
Saylor
Oh. That.
Serena
Yeah. That.
Saylor
So, you called?
Serena
Yes.
Aurora
About damn time.
Saylor
And . . . ? Are you going to do it?
Serena
Buy the team? Are you insane?
Aurora
Debatable.
Serena
Be serious, Rory. How would I even be able to do that? I tied up a chunk of my trust fund last year when we purchased the vineyard.
Saylor
Even if you hadn’t, I don’t know if it would be enough.
Aurora
True. Do we know of any corporations that have a vested interest in Philadelphia sports teams that might be willing to partner with you? I mean, where would we even look for something like that? Saylor . . . do you have any idea?
Saylor
Hmm . . . I could do a little research. I’m sure if we really put our heads together, we could come up with something.
Serena
Don’t be brats. I’m serious.
Aurora
So are we. If you want to do this, take it to the King Corp. board. If you want more partners, I’ll buy in.
Saylor
Me too. And I’m sure Liv would be interested.
Serena
No. If I do this, I’m not dragging you into it with me.
Aurora
So you’re considering it?
Serena
It’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard . . .
Aurora
That’s not a no.
Saylor
For what it’s worth, I think this would be perfect for you, Serena.
You have a business degree with a minor in accounting.
Which I still don’t understand, but whatever.
If numbers are your thing, go with God. You do you, boo.
But seriously, you’re so smart. You were raised by Max fucking Kingston, the baddest MF’er to ever run a billion-dollar conglomerate.
And you’re a Kingston heiress. If you want this, you have the means to do it right there at your fingertips. You just need to reach out and take it.
Serena
It’s a little more complicated than that.
Aurora
But does it have to be?
“Is this seat taken?” my Uncle Jace whispers in the quiet cabin before dropping down into the seat next to me.
“That depends,” I joke. “Are you a spy?”
“Kid.” His lips tug up in a lopsided smile, both dimples popping. “Don’t ever forget that I was the first kid your dad ever raised. I’d sooner spy on him for you than you for him.”
“You know.” I lean my head back against the soft leather seat and turn my face toward his. “I kinda tend to forget Dad was your guardian after Grandpa died. He doesn’t talk about it much.”
“That’s because I was a way bigger pain in the ass than you ever were. I like to think I was the reason he and your mom only had one kid. They were so grateful you were nothing like me, they stopped while they were ahead.”
The waitress stops next to us and hands me my ginger ale and Jace his . . .
“Jack and coke, Mr. Kingston.”
“Thanks, Leslie.” He waits for her to walk away before tapping his glass against mine. “Cheers to a good season.”
“Cheers.”
Jace watches me closely, his head tilting and eyes narrowing. “You planning on sticking around for the season or are you really quitting?”
“I already quit,” I tell him firmly. “Hockey isn’t my thing.”
“Good.”
Well, I wasn’t expecting that answer. “Really?”
“I love your father. But he’s stubborn and always thinks he’s right.
I think it’s the oldest brother in him. He was in charge of all of us and King Corp.
before Dad was ever gone. His legacy is different from the rest of ours.
I don’t think your dad ever really had a choice, and I doubt he even realized that he’s been basically doing the same thing to you since you retired from soccer. ”
Well, that’s one way of saying I got hurt bad enough to make rehabbing my way back impossible.
“Listen, Serena, I’m going to tell you what I’ve told all my kids.
You get one life, and even if you live to a hundred and ten, it’s still going to be too short.
You’ve got to live it for yourself, not your parents, not your spouse, not your kids.
You’ve got to make yourself happy— because it’s your job.
Not someone else’s. And one day when you look back on how you spent your time, you are the only person who has to be happy with the answer.
” He swishes the ice around in his drink and leans back against his chair.
“Your dad is a good man. The best. But he’s living his life for himself.
Now you need to do the same thing. If hockey isn’t your thing, explore your options until you figure out what is. ”
I tuck my feet up under my legs and angle myself toward Jace. “Can I tell you a secret?”
“Did you kill someone? Because if you did, I can think of a better uncle to tell.”
“Really?” I laugh softly. “No. I haven’t killed anyone. Although I may have threatened your daughter tonight.”
Jace’s smile grows. “I’d be more worried about you than her. She’s scrappier than you, kid. I blame her brothers.”
“I think I may have figured out my next move,” I tell him, excitement building as I voice it for the first time. “I had a very interesting conversation tonight.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I shake my head. “Not yet. But soon, I think.”
“Let me know if you need help with your dad.” He finishes the rest of his drink and stands.
“Uncle Jace . . .” I wait for him to look down at me. “Thank you.”