Page 129 of Thrown for a Loop
Suddenly, the man lifts a hand and points. “You! It wasyou! Different jacket, but I saw you.”
I crank my neck so I can see where he’s pointing, as the room makes a collective gasp.
“Go fuck yourself,” Aiden Sharp says from the corner. “That’s a goddamn lie.”
Then he leaps over someone’s luggage like an Olympic hurdler and runs from the room.
The Legends’ jet is an hour late taking off from Vancouver.
And when we take off, we do so without Nolan Sharp or his son. They were last seen screaming at each other on the sidewalk outside the hotel, with Aiden proclaiming his outraged innocence and Sharp vowing to murder him in cold blood for being a “disgrace of a goddamn son.”
Sadly, Darcy was also kept behind to support her boss through hisunscheduled afternoon in Vancouver. And while I fly back without her, she texts me periodic updates.
Darcy:Guess what? Aiden Sharp was dumb enough to keep the pet store receipt in his wallet.
Darcy:Guess what else? Mr. Sharp is mad that the team’s HR department doesn’t work Saturdays, because he wants to cut off Aiden’s salary and benefits “right this fucking minute.”
Zoe:Those slackers.
Darcy:Um… Aiden is also dumb enough to explain to his father what you did to deserve his abuse. Do you want to hear it?
Zoe:Oh please enlighten me.
Darcy:Mostly, he just wanted his buddy to have your job. But you also told Tremaine to try heat instead of ice on his hip, contradicting his authority.
You also turned him down for a date. Oof. He’s really telling on himself now. How is Chase taking this?
Zoe:Lots of cursing. He trusted Aiden, and he’s mad at himself.
Darcy:Same! God. I’m sorry, Zoe. I had no idea Aiden was a shithead.
Zoe:Not your fault!!! We don’t apologize for other people’s bullshit. <- That’s a Chase quote. One of my favorites.
Darcy:I knew I liked that guy.
Less than forty-eight hours later, Mr. Sharp summons me to his office for a formal apology.
I’ve been expecting this, and I dress nicely. Well, nice for a jock like me.
“Don’t sign anything,” Chase says, pacing his living room in a pair of low-slung sweats. “He might want you to promise you won’t sue or press charges against his dickweasel of a son. I just don’t trust Sharp. Or any GM, really. Their whole job is to be ruthless.”
“I’m not dumb enough to sign anything, Hotshot. That’s the one benefit of having once married an agent.”
“Sorry.” He stops pacing. “I’m an idiot. Of course you know what to do.”
I give him a smile and pull on my coat.
“Can I ask you a question?” He moves closer. “You don’t have to answer.”
“Okay?”
He takes both my hands in his. “Why’d you get divorced, anyway? I’ve been curious, but I didn’t want to overstep.”
“Oh.” I actually chuckle. “So many reasons—we were a terrible match. He lacked respect for me, and then there was thecheating…”
“Shit,” Chase whispers. “Sorry to bring it up.”
“You didn’t let me finish.” I shrug. “There were lots of reasons. But the one that matters most? He wasn’t you.” I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his chin. “If I’m not back before you go, have a goodgame tonight. Bess and I will be cheering for you!” We’re sitting in Chase’s comp seats together.
