Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 68882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
They just forgave me, without asking me to grovel or expecting something from me.
Yeah, Sophie has the best family I’ve ever met. And for whatever reason, they’ve included me, as if I’ve been here all along.
I won’t be fucking that up again.
“I don’t want or need this press conference,” I mutter to Sophie and sigh as she adjusts my tie.
“You may not want it, but it’s definitely needed. You deserve a public apology after all the shit they put you through.”
I shake my head, but I don’t argue. I just want things to get back to normal when it comes to work.
With Sophie by my side, her hand clasped firmly in my own, we walk out from behind a curtain covered with the team logo, with the league’s commissioner, my agent, attorneys, and the coaches, where we are met by camera flashes.
I swear, at this rate, I’ll be blind by the time I’m thirty.
“We’d like to make a statement before we take any questions,” the commissioner says, holding up his hands to quiet the crowd. “Our first order of business is to formally apologize to Isaiah Harrison.”
He turns to me, and that’s my cue to join him at the podium. As rehearsed, Sophie walks with me and stands just behind me and to my left.
“As a result of the extensive investigation that began as a result of accusations, it’s been determined that Ike is completely innocent of all of the accusations made against him.” He turns back to me. “I want to express how sorry I am that you had to go through such a rigorous investigation because of false allegations made against you. We are proud to have you in our league.”
“Thank you.” I shake his hand and then step to the microphone. “I’m not going to take any questions today, but I do want to make a statement. I want to thank everyone involved with the team, my coaches, and all of the third-party individuals who worked so tirelessly to prove to everyone that I was innocent. I love this game too much to ever do something to jeopardize my career. I also have too much respect for Seattle. This city has embraced me with nothing but kindness and support, and I just couldn’t love it more.”
I glance back at Sophie, who grins at me.
“And finally, I need to thank my girlfriend, Sophie Montgomery, and her entire family for of their support through all of this. I didn’t know that a family could be so encouraging, so accepting, and so unconditionally supportive until I met you and your family. I love you, baby.”
I glance back again in time to see her say, “I love you, too.”
I step away from the podium, ignoring the questions being hurled my way.
The press doesn’t like to be told no.
“Before we go, we have another announcement,” the commissioner says, quieting the crowd. “This information will be made public later today anyway, so we might as well comment on it now. Florence Paddington is now officially the former owner of this Seattle team. During the same investigation, it was found that she engaged in gambling and actively tried to sabotage her own team, which is a gross violation of the league’s personal code of conduct. Therefore Florence was forced to sell immediately and is facing charges for a list of things that I cannot comment on at this time, as part of the investigation is still ongoing, and for legal reasons, this is all I can say.”
The crowd explodes with questions, but we simply wave, thank everyone for coming, and walk off the small stage.
“I’m glad that’s over,” I mutter, and Coach Mac hears me.
“You and me both. Now, let’s move on and focus on the upcoming season.”
“That’s the best idea I’ve heard in a long time.”
It’s moving day. It’s been a month since the press conference. Since life got back to somewhat normal.
After that, I finally talked Sophie into moving in with me.
Not that I had to do much persuading.
Her condo sold in under a week, and today, we’re moving her out.
“I have a question.” I flag Soph over from where she’s chatting with Olivia, who came to help us today, along with Vaughn and a multitude of other cousins whose names I’m still learning.
Buster’s at the compound today, where I swear he’s happier than at my house.
“What’s up?” She skips over to me and pushes her hands into her back pockets, showing off those gorgeous tits.
“Do you want this couch in the house at Alki or in the beach house on the island?”
My lips twitch when she frowns in confusion.
“What house on the island?”
“The one I bought you.”
“Whoa, he bought her a house,” I hear someone say in a loud whisper.
“We have a house on the island?” she asks.
“Yes. Now, before you yell at me, I’m not signing the closing papers until you’ve seen it, so you can still veto it if you hate it, but it has the view you want and a huge backyard so we can invite your entire family over for parties.”