Bet On It: An Age Gap Billionaire Office Romance(74)
I went to raise my arms in victory, but my left arm felt like it had been shot and I couldn’t lift it.
I walked to the steps and stumbled my way out to cheering fans.
“Hey, dude, something’s wrong with your shoulder,” some guy said.
“Huh?” I looked to my left shoulder, which was really starting to hurt like a motherfucker.
“He’s right,” the brunette in the white bikini said, making a face.
I was quickly sobering up,, and with it, realizing I’d dislocated my shoulder. If I’d just screwed up my hockey season, I was totally fucked.
“It’s nothing,” I said as I did my best to ignore the growing pain. “Where’s my pants?” I didn’t know how I managed it, but I finally got my ass covered and into my car. I dialed Pierce Jackson’s number. He was the last person I wanted to call, but he was the only one I could think to contact through the fog of booze and growing pain. He was always the one I called because, as my coach, he was the only one who cared. I think I said that already.
“Jesus, you did what?” Pierce didn’t sound mad as much as his tone was Christ-not-this-again.
“I dislocated my shoulder. I can’t drive.”
“Where are you?”
I gave him the best estimate of the address for the hotel I was at. Twenty minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot. I walked over to his car and got into the passenger seat.
“I’m not going to ask,” he grumbled.
“Just as well.”
He drove me to the hospital, not saying a word. What could he say? I might have just fucked up my chance at a Stanley Cup? I might have just ended my career? Sure, I was only twenty-nine, but not many hockey players made it through their thirties. All this I knew, and Pierce knew that I knew it.
He walked into the emergency room with me. When I was finally seen by the triage nurse, Pierce told me he’d wait. I didn’t deserve to have his attention, but I appreciated it.
Hours later, after my shoulder was back in place and a sling was around my neck, I was let go.
“At least I didn’t need surgery,” I said to Pierce as he rose from the waiting room chair.
“How long?”
“Eight weeks.” I gave him a sheepish grin. “I’ll be better at the start of the season.”
He wasn’t buying my optimism. “I wish I knew what was riding your ass that you feel the need to act like an eight-year-old all the time.”
I flinched.
“The thing is, Bo, I’m not going to be around next season to bail you out of jail or take you to the hospital.”
“What?” His words hit me harder than the bottom of the pool had.
“While you were seeing the doctor, I got a text from Reed. Analyn had her baby tonight.”
I smiled, happy for Analyn. And Reed, but mostly Analyn. I liked her. A lot. Not in a romantic or I-want-to-fuck-her way. As a friend. “That’s great. But what does that have to do with you?”
“You know we bought the Buckaroos, and with the baby, Reed needs time. So I’m resigning as coach to take over duties.”
“You’re leaving as coach of an NHL team to coach a minor league team?” My gut clenched. I felt like I was losing my last tether to the world.
“I’m an owner of that team. Plus, they listen better.” He gave me a sympathetic smile. “Bo, you really should think about getting your shit together. I’m willing to help, but you have to take the initiative.”
A smart man would have taken the help Pierce offered. But I couldn’t. I turned and walked out of the hospital.
“Bo. Come on, Son. Let me drive you home.”
“You’re not my coach anymore. I’ll get myself home.” Thankfully, he let me go. I managed to order a rideshare to get home. When I got there, I went looking for my bottle of JD. It would do just as good as any pain reliever to ease my shoulder pain.
The other pain? The guilt and self-loathing that came from losing my best friend and betraying him with his girl? I knew there was no relief from that.
Bo gets his own story soon. Meanwhile, check out Max and Amelia Clarke’s happily ever after here.
It’s true when they say that Las Vegas should be burned to the ground.
I’d burn it myself after ending up married to a woman and having no memory of it.
Was Amelia playing me?
DOWNLOAD MAX AND AMELIA’S STORY HERE
THE VEGAS BLUFF (SNEAK PEEK)
DESCRIPTION
I was right all along…
Amelia was just like all the other women I never wanted to see again after spending one night together.
In fact, she turned out to be worse than them.
Let me backup…
It’s true when they say that Las Vegas should be burned to the ground.
I’d burn it myself after ending up married to a woman and having no memory of it.
Was Amelia playing me?
Judging by the way she was sweating and yelling in shock, I didn’t think so.
My heart lied to me and begged me to believe in her authenticity.
You know, maybe she wasn’t after my money or prestige, after all.