Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 131459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
“And that firm can be traced to you. Then you’ll be exposed.”
“I can’t even describe how few fucks I have to give if Winston, or Core Point, find out I’m involved in exposing them.”
“And your father?”
“It wouldn’t be optimal that he has a heads up I’m pulling at a new string to unravel his security blanket. But I have very few fucks to give about that either. In fact, I like the idea that will enter his headspace and he’ll have to worry about it. So let me get my legal team on it.”
“Appreciated.”
They shared a few more words before they rang off, and Tom managed the herculean task of getting out to the garage without one of the cats following him.
He was halfway to Mika’s before his phone rang again.
He didn’t have a good feeling about the fact it was Rod. And not only because it was after nine at night in Glasgow.
He took the call. “Hey, Rod.”
“Well, fuck me ten ways to Sunday, guess who just called, sharing he’s been caught in some MeToo moment, and when I told him I was surprised it took this long, he told me he was going to tell everyone he was out drinking at some pub with me when it happened.”
So…yes.
Winston was going down a list of players, hoping one of them would commiserate and take his back.
And if that didn’t happen, feeling out the threat that he’d take them along for the ride anyway, and going with the one who caved.
“He must have called you right after me because he did the same thing to me half an hour ago,” Tom shared.
“Jesus Christ, I didn’t think that asshole could get worse. But I guess he could. He screwed with Miranda?”
“We need to talk, not on the phone.”
Rod sounded cautious when he asked, “Why would we need to talk, Tom?”
“Because this is bigger, and uglier, and sponsors are involved, and I’d rather not talk on the phone.”
“Core Point,” Rod said.
Rod saying that so quickly made Tom’s neck itch.
“Why did you say that?”
“It was a rumor that turned into a joke,” Rod explained. “You know how everyone had a blast talking shit about that Weinstein guy, when Weinstein was tormenting women for-fucking-ever, so it wasn’t fucking funny, but no one had the balls to say anything real to anyone who could put a stop to it. I heard stuff about Core Point. How they’d look after you. Then there was that kernel that just dug in and it always bugged me. This is why none of my players have accepted CP sponsorship. It’s an unpopular decision, they pay big money, and I had nothing real to hang my hat on as to me banning them from my club’s players. But it felt like biding time until that situation blew up in everyone’s faces, and I didn’t want any of my kids anywhere near that kind of explosion.”
“There was a reason it bugged you.”
“And how do you know this?”
“I’d like to tell you face to face.”
“France is two months away and Winston is making waves now. Give me a hint, Tom.”
“First, I’m having a letter sent to Winston that will shut his mouth. I’ll be sure to add your name to it. Second, my daughter is marrying Jamie Oakley’s son. Jamie’s dad is AJ Oakley. AJ was on the board of Core Point during the time they sponsored Winston. And that’s all I can say right now.”
“Jesus, you’re thorough in checking out the in-laws,” Rod muttered.
He wasn’t.
But Corey sure as fuck was.
“I’d be obliged you put my name on that letter, mate,” Rod said.
“It’s done.”
There was a heavy pause before Rod asked, “Did he hurt Miranda?”
“That’s not mine to give you, Rod,” Tom said.
“He fuckin’ hurt her, that fuckin’ piece of shite,” Rod gritted.
“We’ll talk more.”
“We will. I reckon you can’t hit Spain next month, what with you seeing Mika Stowe and all?”
Christ, Rod was such a gossip.
“Mika’s going back to New York with her daughter in a week. I’m heading to her house now. I’ll talk to her about it.”
“I like her for you,” Rod said.
At least that made Tom smile.
“I like her for me too.”
“I have a lot more to say, but my wife is fretting after Winston’s call. I’ll let her know I’m not the only one, and you’re gagging him. But we’ll talk more, yes?”
“We will definitely talk more, Rod. My love to Freya.”
“I’ll give it. Speak soon.”
“We will.”
They rang off and Tom called Jamie again to share that news.
He was not in the best mood when he hit Mika’s house, but he hid it when he walked into her kitchen and Cadence was there, making herself a coffee.
“Hey, honey,” he greeted, going to her and giving her a sideways hug and a kiss on the side of her hair as she leaned into him and replied, “Hey, Tom. Want a coffee?”