I walk out of the bedroom, the room dark. I stand here and see Erika is the one coming in, and she turns on the light on the desk. “Oh, hey.” She looks at me. “I figured you didn’t eat.” She pushes the room service cart into the middle of the living room area.
“I’m not really hungry,” I say, and she just nods.
“I got you a bowl of soup and a sandwich.” She ignores the fact that I just told her I’m not hungry. She takes the silver dome off the food. “I got myself a burger.” She shrugs. “Because sometimes you just need to eat a greasy burger.”
“Most of the time,” I say, walking to the couch. “What time is it?” I look around to see if there is a clock anywhere.
“It’s almost nine,” she says, and I’m shocked. “Francis and Trevor both called me, all frantic.”
I close my eyes, and they suddenly feel so heavy. “I turned off my phone.”
“That’s what I told them.” She grabs her plate. “So take a shower, eat, and then just send them a text.”
“Can you?” I ask, and she smiles at me. She turns to walk out of the room.
“Erika.” I call her name, and she turns to look at me. “You are going to be a great agent,” I say, and her mouth opens in shock. “When we get back, let’s try to get your position filled. I don’t know if I’m going to find anyone as good.”
“Well, we will die trying,” she says. “Thank you, Becca, for giving me a chance. I won’t let you down.” She doesn’t say anything else as she walks out. I get up and walk to the bathroom, shrieking at my reflection. My eyes are puffy and red, and my nose is also red. I start the shower, and I look semi alive when I get out. I take two bites of the food, but I’m so tired I walk to bed.
The next day is almost the same. I walk into another arena, this one colder than the last one. I’m sitting down watching when someone sits next to me.
“I’m going to think you are following me,” Matthew says, and I smile at him.
“It could be the other way around,” I say and look back at the play at hand. “What are you doing here?”
“I wouldn’t be a good GM if I didn’t check the kids out myself,” he says, and I nod at him. We spend most of the time watching the kids play. “Are you okay?” he asks me.
“What do you mean?” I ask, shocked.
“You look a bit sad,” he says. “I noticed it yesterday and well more so today.” He turns back and looks at the ice. “I don’t mean to pry.”
“No.” I shake my head. “Just a lot on my mind.” I try to sound upbeat. “Plus with the holidays coming up.”
He nods his head and gets up. “You’re a good one, Becca,” he says to me, and all I can do is smirk at him. “My son is going to be in good hands.” My mouth hangs open. “I’ll be in touch.” He turns and walks away. “And if it has anything to do with a man.” He smirks. “He’s not worth it.” I throw my head back and laugh. “It’s what I tell my daughters and my nieces.”
“Thank you for the advice.” I rub my hands on my legs as he walks away.
Erika comes into the arena with two cups of coffee. “Here you go.” She hands me one and sits down next to me. “How is it going?”
I look at her, holding the hot cup of coffee in my hand. “Not so good,” I say, and I’m not sure if I’m talking about the kids on the ice or myself. “But it’ll get better.”
She looks at me, not sure what to say. “It will definitely get better.”
I get up and walk out of the arena, taking my phone out of my pocket. I have pretty much ignored everyone in the past day and a half, and I’m actually going to give myself another day before I get back on the horse.
I’m getting into the car when the headlines flash on my phone.
Newly married Nico Harrison is spotted coming home without his bride. Is there trouble in paradise already?
Chapter 28
Nico
“What the fuck is all that?” I say, looking out the window of the plane toward the gate of the airport.
“That,” Lizzie says, looking out her own windows, “would be the press.” I look back and see maybe fifty people with cameras around their necks. Some of the camera flashes go off.
“What are they doing here?” I get up, grabbing my jacket and putting it on.
“I believe they are here to get a picture,” Lizzie says, putting on her own jacket. “I told you before we left that you have to put out a statement.” I side-eye at her. “And this is why.” She points in the direction of the cameras.