Page 55 of Breakaway Bet
“Ev, what’s on your agenda today?” Ivy asks, bypassing her sister’s heavy dose of sarcasm. “My husband is here to talk about the tequila brand if you’d like to sit in the meeting.”
“So sorry, I’m fully booked today.” She turns to me and smiles sweetly, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “If you could make an appointment with Sophia, I can get you in next week.”
I’m not trying to be a dick here, but I’m a high-profile client. Maybe as high-profile as a company like this might get. And I’m on the schedule for this time every Tuesday. She should’ve cleared her schedule for me.
I’m incredibly tempted to pull that card. But I won’t interfere with Ivy’s work here, and I won’t be a dick even though she’s being an asshole about it.
“That’s fine,” I say, shooting a smirk in Everleigh’s direction that she completely misses because she’s already spun on her heel to move along to more important tasks than dealing with her sister’s annoying new husband.
After my meeting with Ivy, she walks me out. I stop by reception first. “I’m already on the schedule for next Tuesday. Can you add Everleigh to our meeting time?” I ask Sophia.
She nods, her eyes wide, and I laugh.
I kiss my wife goodbye, and I head to the practice facility, a state-of-the-art complex with four rinks. This place has it all, including our locker room, gym, offices, training rooms, and, of course, the cafeteria. I head to the cafeteria to pick up some sports drinks, and then I navigate toward the locker room, where I find West taking off his shoes.
“What’s up, motherfucker?” I greet him.
“Ah, the happy groom arrives.”
“Fuck off,” I mutter.
“Is the missus already withholding sex?”
I roll my eyes. “You’re a real asshole, you know that?”
He chuckles. “I know. How are things with you two?”
“I actually like her, man,” I admit.
He presses his lips together. “You do?”
“Yeah. What about you and the other girl from her office?”
“Ashley,” he says flatly.
“Yeah. Her.” I open one of the drinks and hand him the other.
“Thanks.” He sighs. “She’s called a few times, but I’m just…” He trails off, and he shakes his head. “I’m not really interested, and I don’t know how to let her down easy.”
“Yeah, that’s a tough one.” I shrug. “You get out on the ice at all?”
He shakes his head, not addressing the abrupt subject change. “Not yet. You want to?”
I nod. “It’s been weeks. I don’t want to get too rusty on the ice.”
“Have you brought your wife to the rink yet?” he asks.
The truth is no, I haven’t. The opportunity hasn’t presented itself quite yet.
But it’s a hell of an idea for a romantic date, to be honest. Instead of saying any of that, I just shake my head. “Maybe this weekend.”
It’ll be our first full weekend together where we don’t have plans and we can take the time to really dive in and focus on each other.
And maybe our first chance at something else we’re both ready for.
CHAPTER 19: Ivy Maddox
This Isn’t Going to Go Well
