Page 291 of Cross Check
“If you need to run some early ideas about what you think you’re looking to accomplish, I’m happy to check to make sure you’re going in the right direction,” James.
“Thank you. Both of you. I realize it’s a longshot, but she’s the love of my life. There has to be a way for all of this to work itself out, and I’m going to be the one to find it.” I run a hand through my hair. “Appreciate you taking the time to talk with me.”
“Women,” Henry says. “They’re the best, aren’t they?”
We exchange a few more words, and I hang up. I glance at the guys, and I offer them a grin.
“Boys. It’s time we call in Stabler and Benson,” I say, reaching for the remote on the coffee table. “I don’t care what kind of hell I have to go through to get Lia back. I’ll study every goddamn law book that’s ever been published until I find a way to figure this out.”
“Fuck. You have me wanting to sign up for the LSAT,” Ethan says. “Let’s get to work.”
Six hours later, I’m on the floor with a splitting headache.
“One more time,” Riley says from the other side of Maverick’s living room. A paper airplane lands on my stomach, and I use it as a pillow. “Go through it one more time.”
“We’ve gone through it ten times,” Liam says. He sits up on the couch and glares at all of us. “If we haven’t found a mistake yet, we’re not going to find one at all.”
“Let’s be sure.” Hudson hands me a water bottle. “Grant is going to read the addendum one more time, and I want all of us to listen for any possible missteps the league could look at as a way to deny what he’s asking.”
“My ears hurt,” Maverick complains. “And none of these books are the romance books I like to read.”
“You got your girl, Mavvy,” Riley says. “It’s time for Grant to get his.”
“Fine.” Mav sighs and puts his hands behind his head. Murphy is sleeping next to him on a blanket, and he looks close to passing out too. “Let’s go, G.”
“If two individuals in different ranking power positions who are not affiliated with the same National Hockey League team want to pursue a personal relationship, they’re free to do so as long as no professional benefits—such as money, draft picks, potential trades or free agency signings or insider knowledge of team personnel—are being exchanged. In addition, no board of governors may punish a member of their organization for activities that occur outside of their jurisdiction, which include and are not limited to, socialization with other members of the National Hockey League. The only conflict of interest and unethical behavior deemed inappropriate and pursuant of punishments up to, but not limited to, suspension or contract termination, lies in members of the same organization involving themselves in a relationship with someone of a lesser position,” I read, my throat going hoarse. “Holy fucking shit. I feel like Elle goddamn Woods.”
“I don’t know how you get better than that. I mean, I don’t understand what half of those words are, but it sounds pretty fucking legit,” Ethan says.
“Covers all the bases. Implies that the only issues would be if two people who are associated with the same team got involved with each other, but it allows those from different teams to date each other as long as no one is bringing business into the bedroom,” Hudson says.
“I think that’s perfect, G,” Riley says. “And if they reject it, we’ll come up with a new addendum and present it to them. We won’t stop until they give in.”
“If that doesn’t work, I’ll start boycotting games at the beginning of next season. The league should be fucking lucky my agent told me to keep my mouth closed. I’m two seconds away from spending my media availability calling out every transgression some of these other players are guilty of.” I stretch my back and groan. “I just want my girl back, and I don’t want to wait ten years to make it happen.”
“Why ten years?” Connor asks.
“Lia said to give her a call when I retire. That’s probably in ten years, and that’s too long of a time.”
“You’re not going to have to wait that long. Take a picture of the addendum, G, and send it to Henry,” Hudson tells me. “As soon as he approves it, we can send it to Coach to send to the legal team. They can forward it to the league, and then it’s just a waiting game.”
“Thank you for all that you all have done for me,” I say. “For reading textbooks for me and cheering me up when I’m down. We all have been through a lot of shit together, and there’s no group of guys I’d rather go through all this with than y’all.”
“Group hug!” Ethan whispers, not wanting to wake up Murphy. “Get in here, you assholes.”
I smile when they all wrap their arms around me.
This might be the biggest shot in the dark, but I need to take a chance.
Lia is worth it.
NINETY-TWO
AMELIA
MARCH, THIS SEASON
I want to scream at the person knocking on my door.
