Page 131 of If You Love Me

“I would have done that for you. Give me an hour. I’ll give it a quick once-over and check for any loopholes.”

“Are you sure you have time?” I wish it didn’t take my life falling apart for him to step up, but I need his help.

“You’re my daughter, Lexi. Of course I have time for you. I’ll call back as soon as I’ve been through these documents.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Once we hang up, I call Dred, who messaged this morning to check in.

“I’m coming over,” she says after I explain what happened. “I’ll be there in twenty.”

“I’m sure you have things to do besides watch me have an emotional breakdown.” I dab at my eyes.

“Roman is at practice for the next few hours. The last thing you need is to be alone with your worries. I’m on my way.” I hear the elevator ding.

“Thank you for being my friend.” I hate being emotional, but I’m spinning.

“You don’t have to hold it together, and you don’t have to do it all on your own. I’ll be there soon.”

As I end the call, an alert from my bank pops up. I log into my account to find my dad has sent me ten thousand dollars, and promptly burst into tears. This is how he shows he cares.

I allow myself five minutes to break down before I splashcold water on my face. This isn’t how I envisioned the day after my wedding. I have no idea how long I’ll be on leave. The coming weeks won’t be easy. Not for me, not for Roman, and definitely not for the girls.

But I can’t undo any of this. And frankly, I don’t want to. I wouldn’t trade his love for the world. Roman has been instrumental in making this season bearable in so many ways.

Dred shows up with ice cream and hugs. I’m grateful for her presence, even if it’s just to keep me company. We’ve just settled in the living room when my dad calls back.

I put him on speaker and let him know Dred is with me and that she knows everything. “You didn’t need to give me money,” I tell him.

“I’m your father. I’m allowed to give you money if I feel like it. Consider it a wedding gift, if you need to, but you’re under enough stress as it is. You don’t need to be worried about whether you can pay the bills.”

“I just married a millionaire hockey player.” And Donnie believes it was my nefarious plan from the start.How many other people will believe the same?

“And you hate being dependent on other people emotionally and financially,” he counters. “So as your dad, I’m providing you with your own cushion. If you don’t need it, that’s fine. You can put it in savings for your sisters. Are you done arguing over money?”

Dred squeezes my hand. She understands the complexities of my relationship with my dad.

“I guess I don’t have much of an option, do I?” And I’m probably only doing it because I’m terrified of what he’s about to tell me.

“Nope. You don’t. And I mean that with love. Anyway, I have some fantastic news for you,” he says.

“I could use some of that.”

“There is nothing in your contract that says you can’t be married to a player.”

“But I can’t date a player,” I confirm.

“That’s correct. You can’t date a player—not without going through the proper channels and filing the appropriate paperwork. But if you’re married to a player, none of that paperwork is required. All you need is a marriage certificate and a written agreement between you and the administrative team that when a conflict of interest arises, another member of your team will step in and mediate.”

That’s a comfort, but I hope none of Donnie’s allegations become the new reason I end up unemployed.

CHAPTER 40

ROMAN

“It sure is tense in here,” Grace observes as we suit up for practice.

A shitstorm is brewing—well, actually, it’s brewed. I just hope my teammates can handle it.

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