Something So Irresistible (Something So 3)

I roll my eyes at her. “I am nice.” I don’t even believe it. But I don’t have time to think because it’s time to go and get dressed. “See you down there.” I lean in and kiss her cheek.

“Break a leg,” she says to me and I walk away, shaking my head, and thinking of one thing and one thing only. Apologizing to Allison.

Chapter Nine

Allison

Game fucking day. For two weeks, I’ve buried myself in my work. I’ve avoided even going in and working from home and thankfully there was no issue with it. But today my body is on high alert, knowing I have no choice but to see him. When I saw him in the gym that night, I was shocked, that was for sure, but then he spewed that fucking garbage out of his mouth and I never really hated someone more in my life.

So I grab my pantsuit that I bought especially for tonight. A one-piece blue pantsuit. A little lace in the middle of the collar. I pair it with my favorite pair of silver heels. I grab my leather jacket and put it on since it’s sleeveless and I’ll probably freeze in the arena. I don’t have time to think twice when I hear a beep outside. I run down, grabbing my purse, and seeing the two limos pull up. My family is down for the big game. In one limo, there is Matthew and his family and in the other limo is Mom, Dad, Zara, Zoe, and Justin. The driver comes out and opens my door and I slide in.

“Hey, everybody,” I say, seeing my mother smile, but my father is scowling. “What happened now?”

My brother pipes in, “Zoe and Zara asked Dad at what age would he think about using a walker since he’s old now.”

The twins just shrug their shoulders.

“Not something that is a surprise. Last week he went skating and then sat on the bench for forty-five minutes,” Zoe chimes in.

“I think it was an hour,” Zara says.

“I had a cramp, and I was coaching.” He points at them and my mother looks out the window, rolling her lips together to not laugh at him. He points at the twins. “Don’t make me bring boot camp back.”

Justin laughs now. “Dad, that lasted two days, two. They complained so much I thought you would pull your hair out.”

“What did I do?” he says, lifting his hand in the air. “You two are grounded.” Now we all laugh, knowing it lasted maybe fifteen minutes.

“It’s okay, Dad,” Zoe starts and then Zara continues.

“We will still love you when you’re hunched over.”

They both nod at him.

“That’s enough out of you two,” Mom says, then turns to Dad. “I will love you even more.” She kisses his lips. “Now it’s Matthew’s big day and Allison has worked nonstop, so you will behave or no Wi-Fi for a month.”

They both look at each other and then back at Mom, knowing she is the one who will actually go through with the threat.

We pull up to the arena and I get out.

“Okay, I’m going to go in and make sure everything is okay. I’ll catch you all later.” Inside I grab my badge and phone and start walking around. It’s just two-thirty, but the festivities are already underway. Luckily, Mindy was here this morning guiding things. I walk around checking everything, smiling to myself when a little boy bumps into me.

“Sorry, lady.” He puts his glasses back on straight.

A woman comes up to us, holding him to her. “I’m so sorry,” she says and I smile at the boy. I look behind her to see that she is with about twenty kids and four adults.

“I’m Allison,” I say to the little boy and then the lady. “I’m the PR for the team. Who are all these fans?”

“Hi, I’m Denise and these are some of the patients from Hudson Children’s Hospital.”

I smile at all the kids. “Hey there, guys.” I look back at Denise. “It’s so great that you got tickets.”

“Yeah, we have a pretty generous donor that always shoots us tickets. I’ve tried to get in touch with someone about setting up a players’ visit day since some of the really sick kids can’t venture out due to their immune system being so low.”

The wheels are already turning in my head. “That sounds like such a fantastic idea.” I look at the kids. “So who is your favorite player?” I ask them and they all answer at the same time, “Max Horton.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “Wow, I’m sure he would love to know that,” I say sarcastically. “Why don’t we go and take a picture in front of his stall?”

“For real?” the little man with the glasses asks.

“Well, we can take a pretend picture here, but how about I sneak you guys down to meet him before the game?” I think about if he doesn’t want to do it there are guys down there who will.