Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
My jaw sags, my mouth hanging open. I can only stare at her, completely in awe and slightly terrified of the power she wields.
“Please don’t cut him from the team. This is the only joy he has right now.”
“As long as he’s not actively hurting you, which I will not abide, then his position is safe.”
“He’s not hurting me,” I rush to assure her. I mean, he is, but it’s through inaction. Still, I’m not going to jeopardize Van’s career. “He’s merely ignoring me and my attempts to talk to him.”
“At least you’re here… in the house. That has to account for something,” she says hopefully.
“I forced my way in and refused to leave. He pretty much stays away… only coming in late at night to sleep.”
Brienne’s eyes cut to the couch. “I’m assuming not in the same room as you.”
“Sadly, no,” I grumble with frustration and I’m not sure why I’m suddenly at ease, but it all comes gushing out. “I’ve tried to seduce him to no avail which has always been the best way to get him to open up. I’ve tried harassing him and poking him and in all ways tried to annoy him because even anger is better than silence. I’m getting nothing. He’s so caught up in this biography that came out and his insistence that it will ruin our—” I halt, not wanting to give away we were trying to have kids. “He’s afraid that the stigma will be too much for me to bear.”
“Surely he’ll change his mind once it all settles down. This will be yesterday’s news before too long.”
I snort with derision. “That stupid book keeps hitting the New York Times bestseller list. It’s not dying down.”
Brienne’s expression turns grim. “He is getting hit by reporters at the arena every single day. He seems to be holding up okay and the entire team’s position is simply no comment, but I’m sure it’s frustrating for him.”
I nod. “Yeah… I get it. I really do. I mean, I read the book. It’s awful and so many things are distorted or are flat-out lies. Van hasn’t read it, thank God, but he knows how vile his father was. I’m sure he’s imagined the worst and he’d be right about it. Still… none of it matters to me. None of it matters to the fans. That was proven when he was first outed as Arco’s son three years ago.”
“Why’s he so upset now?” Brienne asks.
I can’t tell her the real reason. That the stakes are higher with children involved. Instead, I lift a shoulder. “I think this is worse. Before it was just an article, but now it’s an entire book built on Arco’s personal diaries. It brings back a lot of horrible memories for Van.”
Brienne drums her fingertips on the table, appraising me. “I’m sure he’ll come around.”
“I don’t think he will.” My voice cracks and I blink back the tears threatening. I’m so fucking sick of crying. “I was actually thinking of heading back to Vermont.”
Blinking in surprise, Brienne leans forward. “You can’t give up. You haven’t even been here a week.”
“No offense,” I say with resignation, “but I’m exhausted to the bone from trying. And besides that, it’s hard to get my husband back when I can’t even get near him. He’s become a master at avoiding me.”
“Well then,” Brienne says, a sparkle of deviousness in her eyes, “we’ll just have to find a way to put you in his path, won’t we?”
I can’t help but frown. “What do you mean?”
“I mean… you’re coming to the games for starters. Special guest in my suite. That means you’ll come to the after-parties.”
“Van won’t like that.”
“And as you will be my guest, I’m betting he won’t have anything to say about it.” Brienne chuckles. “Also, did you know we have a family lounge at the arena? You can hang out there all day on game days if you want.”
“He’s going to be so mad,” I muse, imagining Van’s expression if he were to walk into the lounge on game day and find me there.
“Isn’t that what you want? To provoke his emotion?” she inquires.
Yeah… that’s exactly what I want. If I can at least have proximity to him, I can work my magic. I feel exhilarated all of a sudden, a well of hope surging within me. I’m back in the game and with Brienne at my back, Van’s not going to be able to hide away from me completely.
A genuine smile splits my face. “I don’t even know how to thank you.”
“Invite me to the renewal of your vows or something,” Brienne says with a laugh, pushing up out of her chair. “Now… go get a shower. Eat some food. Maybe take a nap. But tomorrow night, be ready. I’m putting together a girls’ dinner to introduce you to some new friends that I think you desperately need. I’ll have my driver come by and pick you up at seven p.m.”