Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
What a strange reaction. Dr. Devine looks irritated with him, her eyes narrowed and jaw set as hard as steel.
Her husband’s eyes meet mine. He tilts his head to the side, giving me a confused look. Realization lights in his eyes, and then he gives me a wicked smirk.
“Duke Baldwin?”
He extends his hand to me, but after the way he treated Dr. Devine and his daughter, I would rather spit on him. He must be a fan. I can’t afford to get into any more trouble, so I shake his hand.
“Nice to meet you,” he says with a wicked grin. “I’m Ted Fairchild, Chief of Staff for Senator Banks. Nice, firm grip you got there,” he says, shaking out his hand.
Dr. Devine has a different last name. Interesting.
“Duke Baldwin?” The little girl taps her dad on the leg, peeking up at him. “Daddy, he’s your favorite player.”
Ted clutches his daughter’s shoulder and shushes her. “Yeah, Maxie. Daddy’s talking now.”
Wow! This dude is such a dick.
“Tough game you had in Philly,” Ted continues. “I couldn’t believe you got twenty games for that.”
I roll my shoulders. “It wasn’t my call.”
“You better be back for the playoffs. The team could use you right now.”
As if I don’t already feel like shit...
“Yeah, I’ll be back in time.”
“We’ll see you next week,” Dr. Devine says to Ted, interrupting our painful conversation.
“Are you with...” His voice trails off as his gaze flicks between Dr. Devine and me.
“It’s none of your business who I’m with, Ted.” Dr. Devine presses her palm to his shoulder and gives him a shove in the opposite direction.
Ted’s cheeks flush. “You sure know how to pick them, huh?”
“Sure do,” she says with a cheeky grin. “I have a patient coming soon. Now, if you would excuse us.”
He says one last goodbye to me and then his daughter before Captain Douchebag disappears into the hallway, leaving us in awkward silence.
“I’m sorry,” Dr. Devine says to me.
“For what?”
“My ex-husband thinks we’re dating. I couldn’t tell him you’re my patient. That would violate doctor-patient confidentiality.”
Dr. Devine is single. One point for the home team.
“I’d be happy to be your fake boyfriend.” I wiggle my eyebrows as a smile turns up the corners of my mouth.
But Dr. Devine doesn’t look too thrilled about my proposal.
“You’re my patient.”
She sucks in a deep breath, and her lips part as if she’s about to speak again. Instead, she leads her daughter to the couch across from the reception desk.
“Mommy, can Duke come over?”
Dr. Devine laughs. “No, baby. Duke has to go home.”
Max looks up at me. “I watch you on TV with Daddy! Daddy loves hockey. I love hockey. I’m going to play hockey soon. On a real team and everything. When did you start playing hockey?”
“As soon as I was old enough to hold a stick.”
Her eyes widen. “Did you play when you were my age?”
“How old are you?”
She glances down at the hot pink digital watch on her wrist and then says, “I turn eleven in ninety-seven days, ten hours, and nine minutes.”
“That’s very specific.” I laugh once. “And no, I was younger than you when I learned how to play hockey. My dad was a professional hockey player. He taught me.”
“I like the fights,” Max says. “The last time I was at Daddy’s house, I watched a bad fight. The player in the orange jersey was hurt. Daddy was upset. He said our season is over.”
I feel like shit the second it all sinks in. Dr. Devine gives me a look of apology because she knows the fight is the reason I’m here. Her daughter watched me beat the shit out of Dean. It hadn’t occurred to me until now that I have disappointed more people than I can count. I remember being her age, obsessed with my favorite hockey player. Meeting Max puts everything into perspective for me.
“Can I come to one of your games?” She sits up straight, her hands folded on her lap. “Daddy stood me up last time,” she says with a frown.
Now, I want to break Ted’s face. My dad did the same thing to Kat for most of her childhood. The calls were always last minute or not at all. Austin and I were there to pick up the pieces, while Dr. Devine is left to do the same with Max.
“I’m not playing right now,” I tell Max, “but I’ll take you to a game.”
If my coach will allow it.
“Did Daddy tell you he’s a liar?”
I laugh, confused as I glance at Dr. Devine. “He’s a liar?”
“Ted’s a lawyer,” she corrects. “Sometimes, Max gets it mixed up.”
“No, I don’t,” Max snaps. “Daddy lies for a living. That’s what he does. He tells lies. He told me so.”
Dr. Devine laughs so hard she snorts, but her soft demeanor turns to stone. “He’s good at lying.” The anger in her tone is palpable.