Page 21 of Hot Puck
“Don’t say it.”
“You kept your distance from Johnathon?—”
“He’s a prick and I knew it going into the marriage. That reminds me. Has he signed the papers yet?” There’s an idea brewing, one I’ve got experience with, but I can’t mention it until I’ve untangled myself from my current husband.
“According to his lawyer, he’ll be doing it sometime this week.”
“Can you put pressure on him? Make it happen sooner?”
“You know what will make it happen faster.”
“I did say he was a prick.” I take a deep breath and hold it.
There’s no sympathy in Eli’s gaze. He knows why I went into my marriage and why I remained in it even though my husband stepped out on me every chance he got.
Pushing the air from my lungs in a fast burst, I keep my eyes on Eli’s. “Offer a two million bonus for signing today.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“Then he misses out on two million and I’ll rethink the house in New Orleans.”
“Natalie.”
“He’s fucked me around long enough. It didn’t matter before, I had other things to deal with, but now it’s time to deal with him. He gets two million extra if he signs today, if he waits until tomorrow I’ll take that two and the house in New Orleans off the table.”
“Okay, if you’re sure.”
“Yes.”
“Want to tell me why else you want this done now when you didn’t yesterday.”
“Not yet.”
“Do I need to prepare another prenup?”
I laugh. “You really do know me.”
“I’ve known you since before you were in diapers, girly.”
We both laugh at his words. “Yes. And if I haven’t said it recently, I love you. For everything you’ve done for me and for standing in for Dad when he couldn’t.”
“I love you like my own. You feel more like mine than his most days.”
“You’ve had me as long.”
“Are we doing the usual on the anniversary this year?”
“I don’t know. It’ll be the Rogues first game in the league.”
“I know.”
“We’ll work something out.”
“We usually do.”
A cry from the monitor has my gaze lifting over the top of my computer screen. “Looks like the little one is up.”
“All right, shoot me a message or email with anything else you want me to do. I’ll concentrate on the divorce then move on to the school.”
