Page 29 of Ice Darling
The routine is repeated the next day too, and I start to breathe a little easier. Things will get hectic for a while until I find a new nanny, but we’re making do. Both my daughter and I are resilient.
My phone rings on my way out the door for lunch, and I pick up immediately when I notice Max’s number.
“Hey, Max.”
“Renthrow, do you have thirty minutes to spare? I’d like to meet with you, Chance, and Gunner.”
I check my watch. “I’ll be right there.”
When I get to the arena, Chance’s flashy convertible and Gunner’s truck are already parked there.
I hustle inside Max’s office. “Sorry, I’m late.”
Gunner nods in greeting.
Chance smiles at me. “No worries, man. You saved us. Max was just about to offer us his atrocious coffee.”
“These are Egyptian beans, and you guys have no taste,” Max says, putting a packet in a new drip machine.
I whistle. “Impressive.”
“I was finally able to pay myself a salary.” He lovingly caresses the machine. “This is Tricia.”
Chance makes a disgusted sound. “I’m not calling it that.”
“Her.” Max covers the machine’s ears. “She’s sensitive.”
I bark out a laugh.
Gunner snorts.
Chance falls into a chair. “So what’s this meeting about, Boss? I skipped a lunch date with April for this, so it better be worth it.”
Gunner raises a hand. “I was going to cook for Rebel, so…same.”
“I…eat lunch alone,” I admit gruffly.
Chance laughs at me. “That’s not what I heard from the ladies at the nursing home. Didn’t you have lunch with Cordelia Davenport two days ago?”
“Do you go to the nursing home to visit Mr. Brooks or to gossip?” I throw back.
“Ehem.” Max gets our attention. “As you know, we got a new sponsor.” Max lumbers around the desk and nearly whacks his head into the ceiling light. “And that comes with some changes.”
Thinking about the sponsor makes me think of that moment when Cordelia grabbed my arm and tried to pass me off as her boyfriend.
“Yeah? And? What about the sponsor?” I grunt. “Does she want us all to parade around in boxer commercials like our captain?”
“Hey!” Chance throws his arms wide. “Why are you gunning for me?”
Max waves a hand. “No, one of the conditions for accepting investment was that I invest in the Lucky Strikers going pro. That means signing bonuses, modest but above-average salaries, and new coaches.”
Gunner doesn’t look surprised, but Chance and I both whip our heads around.
“Seriously?” Chance gasps.
“Why not?” Max grins. “Go big or go home, baby.”
“Max, that’s insane.” Chance extends his hand, and Max pulls him in as they both thump each other on the back.
