Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
“What are you talking about?” Van peruses the menu, his lips quirked.
“You’re just a lot funnier now that you’re getting laid regularly,” Bain pokes at him.
Van snorts but we all know it’s got nothing to do with getting laid. Although I’m sure that makes for a great marriage, he’s been on cloud nine since learning his wife, Simone, is pregnant.
“There’s Foster,” I say, noticing him come out onto the terrace. The hostess points at our table. “And he doesn’t look happy.”
“The bitch strikes again,” Bain mutters.
Foster has been put through the wringer over the last three weeks by his ex-wife, Sandra. She’s giving him the runaround on his visitation, refusing to bring Bowie Jane when promised and he’s going to have to get the court involved. Only problem is, he can’t do it until after the playoffs are over, so he’s stuck in limbo. On top of that, he’s feeling massive guilt for not being able to handle it right now, feeling as if his job has become more important than his kid.
None of us think that, though.
He flops down into the chair with a sigh, running his hand through his hair.
“Well?” Van prompts, setting the menu down. We all look expectantly at Foster.
He shakes his head. “She says she doesn’t have time to bring Bowie Jane to her parents. I’m going to have to go to California to get her after the playoffs.”
“But she can’t do that,” I point out. “Your custody arrangement says she has to bring her to the East Coast for the summer.”
“Yeah?” Foster grumbles, his eyes cutting over to me. “Well, she doesn’t seem to fucking care. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with her. I mean… she’s always made things hard but she’s never defied the court custody arrangement before.”
“Are you worried about Bowie Jane’s safety?”
“No, not really. I mean… Sandra’s a great mom. Just a lousy ex-wife.”
We’re interrupted by the arrival of the waiter who patiently waits for us to take a quick perusal of the menu. After giving him our food order, I nab my phone and stand up. “I’ll be back. Got to make a quick call.”
“Lilly?” Bain croons teasingly.
“Your mama,” I shoot back with a wink and they all laugh.
But yeah… Lilly. Need to check in.
She answers in a quiet voice on the third ring. “Hey.”
“Any news?” I ask.
“Hold on,” she whispers and I imagine she’s walking out of Aiden’s room. After a few seconds, she speaks in a normal voice. “Still waiting on blood test results but his fever is staying down on Tylenol.”
“You wouldn’t be holding out on me, would you?” I ask and I’m not teasing. I’m dead serious because I know she’s still struggling with sharing burdensome news with me.
This all started yesterday afternoon when I called her just before our team plane took off for the short flight to New Jersey. Aiden had a slight fever but she didn’t tell me that. Instead, she asked a dozen questions about the upcoming game and I could tell she was putting me off. I had to drill down with questions about Aiden to find out he wasn’t feeling well, and the minute she admitted it, I could hear the panic in her voice.
It took fucking everything I had in me to keep my seat on that plane and not run off to the hospital. It was a display of Oscar-worthy acting not to sound freaked out as I forced her to tell me how he was really doing and what the game plan was. And then I had to spend a little time chastising her for not being transparent about it. I reassured her, once again, that we’re in this together.
Lilly doesn’t laugh but I can hear somewhat of a smile in her voice. “No, I’m not holding back on you. I promise I’m going to give it to you straight, just like you asked.”
“Call me the minute you get results, okay?”
“Okay. How are things in New Jersey?”
“It’s good. Getting ready to eat breakfast with Bain, Van and Foster. We’ll head to the arena around three.”
“Did Foster hear from his ex yet?” she asks. Over the past few weeks, in addition to meeting most of the team, she’s learned plenty about them from me. I clued her in on Foster’s dilemma with Sandra’s odd behavior.
“No, and he’s worried. She’s insisting he come out to California after the playoffs to get Bowie Jane.”
Lilly giggles. “I can’t help it. I love that name so much.”
“Me too,” I admit, although Foster will tell you it wasn’t his choice. He wanted Jane, his wife wanted Bowie and well… there you have it.
“Listen… get back to your breakfast. I’m about to walk down to the cafeteria and get something to eat.”
“Your dad there?”
“He’s at the deli for a few hours, then he’ll grab a nap. He was up here all night since Aiden wasn’t feeling well. I think he’s going to continue to stay full nights until we figure out what’s going on.”