Page 63 of Hooking the Captain
He smiled. “I’m looking forward to it. Just you, me, and a beach.”
Hopefully, we wouldn’t get recognized and could just enjoy the trip.
As we finalized the plans, the anticipation of the upcoming getaway added a spark of excitement to the dreadful evening, and before long, we were making out on my couch and then more.
The plane toucheddown in the Bahamas a few days later. After we grabbed our checked bags, Baylor and I walked outside to be greeted by the warm tropical breeze and the scent of saltwater lingering in the air.
A car I’d ordered was waiting for us, and the driver greeted us with a friendly smile. He loaded our luggage in the trunk, and we slid into the luxury vehicle. As we drove through the vibrant streets, the colors of the island came to life. From the turquoise waters along the coastline to the lush greenery that surrounded us, the scenery was breathtaking.
We arrived at our beachfront resort, greeted by the sight of white sand stretching along the shoreline and crystal-clear water gently lapping at the edge. The resort staff welcomed us with cool drinks.
“I could get used to this,” I admitted, smiling at Baylor.
“Me too.”
Our room had a balcony overlooking the ocean, and as we stepped outside, the panoramic view took my breath away. The room was decorated in shades of blue and white, mirroring the colors of the sea.
“Yeah, I can see us spending a lot of time naked in here,” he teased.
“For sure, but let’s get some sun for a little bit before we never leave this room.”
“Fine. Twist my arm.” He chuckled.
Being at the beach was exactly what we needed.
After unpacking, we changed into swimwear and headed straight for the beach. The soft sand beneath my feet, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the sound of the waves were perfect. We found an open cabana, laid down our towels on the lounge chairs, and settled in for some much-needed relaxation inside the private space.
Baylor stretched out on the chair, and I joined him, then grabbed his hand, intertwining our fingers. We gazed out at the vast ocean, the horizon blending seamlessly with the sky. The weight of the hockey season and the loss in the Finals seemed to fade into a distant memory as we focused on the moment we were sharing.
As the sun began its descent, casting hues of orange and pink across the sky, we changed quickly and then explored the town, immersing ourselves in the island’s vibrant culture and food.
Just as we started to head back to our room, Baylor’s phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket. “It’s my agent.”
I nodded and took a few steps away while he took the call.
“What?” he bellowed, and my eyes darted to his. “Are you fucking serious?”
I sucked in a breath as I watched him.
“I don’t want that,” he stated, and then sighed. “I know, but that fucking sucks, Donnie.”
My mind spun with all the possible news that his agent could be giving him.
He finally ended the call and turned to me. “I’ve been traded to the Rangers.”
19
FORD
Walking toward the conference room,my colleague James fell into step beside me. “Any idea what this meeting is about?”
I shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
Like I did every morning, I had checked my email when I’d first arrived at work and had seen the message from our CEO announcing a mandatory meeting that afternoon. The lack of details had left us all confused, and rumors flew around the office. Some said the meeting was to announce a major restructuring within the company, while others speculated there would be massive layoffs.
As we entered the conference room, the tension in the air was thick, and my pulse raced as we settled into our seats.
James leaned over to me and whispered, “Looks like everyone is pretty nervous.”
