Page 150 of Pucking Rebound

“If you would just pick up the phone, Wade. She misses you.”

Tilting my head to the side, I watch him as he rubs his beard in contemplation. “Can you do something for me?”

“Always.” I would do anything for him. I would also like to knock some sense into him.

Wade pulls a letter out of the pocket of his jeans and lays the envelope on the table with Kali’s name written on the front. “Can you give her this from me?”

“If you were to jump in your truck and drive for two hours, you could do it yourself.” He’s so stubborn. I place the letter inside the safety of my purse. “But I will do it. For you. For now. Not forever. You have to come back.”

“I will.” I feel his nervousness bouncing off of him again. “I want to ask you something.”

“Oh-kay.” I’ve no idea what to expect here.

“Will you please continue to be my assistant?”

Holy shit. Yes. “Oooo. I don’t know if I like you that much.” My voice is laced with seriousness, but then I smile and let him know I am messing with him. “I’d love to.”

“Oh, thank fuck, I thought I was going to have to get someone new, but I trust you, and I will pay you well. I don’t want you on the Eagles’ payroll. I want to pay you myself.”

“I will do it for free. You do know I’m a very wealthy woman?” I don’t need his money. I’ll happily arrange his schedule when I return to my businesses and slot it into my workdays. It’s easy work and fun. And I decided I am taking on two new assistants. I’m going to need them because I’m promoting Elizabeth, my personal assistant, to do my role when I take maternity leave.

“Are you?” Smiling in surprise, I don’t think he’s realized how much I am worth.

“Yes. I don’t need to work. I inherited everything from my father. Which he gained from your father in that stupid deal they made. So technically, it’s a family business.”

“I don’t want any of it.” He waves his hands in the air. “That’s all yours.”

“I thought you might say that. We’ll agree to disagree. For now.”

“You don’t even know me, Lola.”

“I know you, Wade. And you got screwed over. You could be a silent partner.”

“I don’t want that. Those businesses are all yours. I don’t want them.”

“Oh, are my little business chains not good enough for the hockey team owner anymore?” I say, holding my hand over my chest, pretending to be offended. “Well, screw you, Wade Collins.”

After everything that’s happened, I’m sure Marcus will pass ownership of the Eagles over to him and Zane. They’ll inherit the team eventually and we all know it. From the way he’s scowling at me, I can tell he doesn’t like me teasing him then tells me all the reasons he doesn’t want to be a hockey team owner and only wants to play. I guess he’s still getting used to being the son of a billionaire.

“Well, if Nicki has anything to do with it, you will. Eventually,” I inform Wade.

“I just want to play hockey.”

“Which you’re so good at. Do you think you could teach me how to skate?” What if I break a bone again? God, maybe I shouldn’t try.

His eyes blow wide as if it’s the most ridiculous this he’s ever heard. “You don’t know how?”

I shake my head.

“Then I have all summer to teach you.” I knew he’d jump at the chance.

“There may be a tiny complication with that.” I pinch my thumb and forefinger together, the nerves bouncing about in my stomach like jumping beans. “Which we’ll come back to in a minute. First, I want you to promise me some things.”

“I can’t promise if I don’t know what thesome thingsare.” Confusion lines his brow.

“I will continue to work for you with a few conditions.”

To be honest, he doesn’t know it yet, but he doesn’t really have a choice because I’ll be back tomorrow. “You have to promise me to get your ass back on the ice within four days.”

---