Page 41 of Hot Damn
“Do I need to? Could we back-date it?”
“We could but I can also get it done before tonight. I’ve got the afternoon off. I was planning to spend it in the garden but it’s hot out today. Too hot for what I’d planned.”
“Are you sure? I know I’m rushing but she’s good and I want her in on this with me. Sooner than later if I can. Although I hate using my connections to make that happen.” The guilt weighing down my stomach proves my words aren’t a lie. And I’ve never done this before. Not once in my life have I asked Mom or Dad to smooth the way.
“Done.”
“I’ll call head of HR. Get Deb free this afternoon.”
“Thanks!”
“Why don’t we meet you at the barbecue?” Mom asks. “We don’t have plans for dinner, and you know we’ve become hockey fans since you got the franchise.”
“You were fans before KAW got the franchise.”
“We were but it’s our home team.”
“Nothing beats supporting your home team.”
I can hear the pleasure in their voices. It makes me proud in so many ways and all I did was hand over money to make the team happen. I’ve had nothing to do with building the team or the arena.
My phone beeps with another reminder. Shit! If I don’t get moving, I’ll be late.
“I gotta go. But I’ll call later. About four.”
“Talk then. Love you,” Mom says.
“Love you too.”
“Need me to do anything else?” Dad asks.
“No. That’s all I need.”
“Don’t hesitate to ask if something comes up.”
“Will do. See you later.”
“You will. I’m so proud of what you’re doing, what you’ve already done.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“And, Cam?”
“Yeah?”
“You were born for me to love.”
I grin. “And I was born to love you.”
The call disconnects and I check my mirrors before pulling out in traffic. I’ve got just enough time to get across town to Beckett’s house to pick him up before we head to Whitney’s school.
His message this morning was straightforward, almost clinical. I don’t know if he’s not comfortable texting or if we’re still in the not liking each other phase of our relationship. Not that we’re in a relationship.
Shit.
Why the hell did I think that word? We’re acquaintances, nothing more.
Okay, fine, technically I’m his boss but that doesn’t affect the way we deal with each other. Although I suppose I changed that dynamic yesterday when I rescued his daughter and stayed with her.
