Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95173 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95173 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Chapter Twenty-Three
Vivienne
I slip on my heels and look in the mirror, my stomach flipping and flopping around like a fish out of water. I pick up my phone and call Karrie who answers on the second ring. “Yeah,” she says breathlessly.
“Are you having sex?” I whisper.
“Would I answer the phone?” she in turn asks me, and I grab my watch, putting it on.
“How am I supposed to know? Maybe you’re not into it.” I shrug.
“I was running after Chase, who took off with my phone,” she says. “I’m on my way out the door now. Why did I think it was a good idea to stay in a hotel?”
“Because you’re crazy,” I tell her. “Would it be bad if I passed on tonight’s festivities?” I ask her, looking at my reflection in the mirror. I know I have to show up, and I’m half okay with that, but I’m not sure I can be the nonchalant Vivienne everyone knows. “I don’t even know.”
“Vivienne,” she says softly. “Remember the advice you give all the girls.” I roll my eyes at this. “To get over him, one must get under someone else.”
I close my eyes because the thought of sleeping with someone else makes me ill, but the thought of Mark sleeping with someone makes me dizzy, and I have to sit down. “You’re right,” I say, opening my eyes. “I’ll meet you guys there.”
“We can swing by and get you,” she says, and then I hear crashing in the background. “Okay, meeting us there sounds great.” She disconnects. I get up and look at my outfit of dark blue jeans that used to hug me perfectly but are now just a touch loose on me and a matching button-up shirt with puffy sleeves and a huge bow tied around the neck.
“You can do this,” I tell myself. “You are the queen of being single.” I hold my head high and then turn around and grab my black Chanel purse. The wind blows my hair back as I walk out of the door to the waiting car. The driver opens the door, and I sit in the back and look out the window. My stomach is a mess as the driver zigzags through traffic, and when he drops me off at the players’ entrance, I get out, and my eyes make a quick sweep of the area. My stomach dips when I see some players arriving, and I reach into my purse for the pass that Matthew gets me every year. Walking with my head down for the first time ever, I don’t look around and see who is there. I just make a beeline inside and go straight to the stairs that take you to the arena instead of down the carpet to the dressing rooms. I walk in, and a lot of people are already standing around. The season opener has always been a big deal, but ever since Allison did the public relations, she’s made it bigger and better. When Oliver took over for her, it just went over the top. I spot Cooper and Parker right away as Cooper posts for pictures with the fans.
“Hello,” I say to them, and Parker turns around and smiles at me. She has accepted me as Karrie’s friend with open arms and always invites me to whatever events she plans.
“Vivienne,” Parker says softly and comes to hug me. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, and then spot Matthew coming over; his whole walk is a swagger. I almost roll my eyes with the way he walks.
“Hey there,” Matthew says, giving his mother a kiss on the cheek and then giving his father a side hug. “Hey there,” he says, kissing my cheek. “Where have you been hiding?”
I roll my eyes. “I haven’t been hiding.” I have been hiding, but he doesn’t need to know this, so I ignore it. “I’ve been busy that is all.”
“I haven’t seen you in two weeks.” He puts his hands in his pockets as he watches me, and luckily, I’m let off the hook when Chase runs to him and head-butts him in the balls. “Jesus,” he hisses, then bends to grab his son. “How is my big guy?” he asks him, but the little boy flies out of his arms when he sees Parker there. She takes him in her arms, and he lays his head on her shoulder. Cooper puts his arm around her shoulder, and the little boy pushes his hand off, making Parker laugh and Cooper frown.
He leans into Chase, and whispers, “She’s mine, buddy,” making us all laugh.
I take a deep breath when Karrie comes over, and then I see Zara and Zoe behind her. “Hello.” We exchange hugs and kisses, and I look around, trying to pretend I’m not looking for him. I spot him right away, but he doesn’t see me as he poses for a picture with a fan. His smile makes his eyes bright, and I look away as fast as I did when I saw him.