Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“You don’t mean that.” I smiled, but her expression slowly shifted into an emotion I couldn’t quite read.
I’d seen her like this whenever we watched our old competitions together, whenever she’d say, “Another one Travis was too busy to make it to,” or “Guess what my brother’s excuse was for missing this one?”
I never guessed, though.
“He missed out on almost every skating competition when I was at my peak,” she said. “I may not have all my memories back, but I remember him being unapologetic about it because he felt his career was far more important than mine. He even pulled out of coming to see me in the Sochi Olympics at the last minute after promising that he’d be there. He fucking promised.”
“I’m sure he had a reason…”
“Whatever it was, he never told me or apologized, and that one still burns to this day.” She let out a slow breath. “I love him like hell, but I’m warning you, he can be a bit much to handle.”
I didn’t utter a word.
As if this discussion was as simple as the weather and the grey skies were long gone, she pulled a copy of Skate World from her purse.
“We were the last of our generation, Tati.” She slid it toward me. “So much is different with the competitions now.”
“You still have a subscription to this?”
“I have every issue, with the exception of five.”
“Let me guess, those are the ones where I starred on the front cover?”
“Exactly.” She smiled. “I trust you didn’t buy my editions either.”
“No, I bought every single one of yours,” I said.
“Did you rip out the pages?”
“Right before I set them on fire.”
“How mature.” She laughed. “Would you like to join me for a five-star farewell dinner before leaving me alone in New York?”
“Depends. Are you paying for it?”
“Absolutely.”
—
THE SNARKY GLOVE
#1 UFC & MMA GOSSIP SOURCE FOR FANGIRLS
Dearest Fans,
There is reason to believe that Travis Carter’s number one sponsor—Nike—will not be removing him from their coveted list of athletes anytime soon.
Granted, they pay him $27M a year to flaunt his well-oiled abs and that not-so-subtle ‘cockprint’ in tons of ads, but why haven’t they abandoned him like the other sponsors?
What does the CEO know that we don’t?
Stay tuned for more news & updates,
The Snarky Glove
TEN
PRESENT DAY
TRAVIS
Saturday
Teterboro, New Jersey
Raindrops tap danced on my umbrella as I waited on the tarmac for Tatiana.
She was sitting in the backseat of my sister’s town car, chatting as if I didn’t give her the exact time we needed to leave for Vegas. As if I hadn’t made the terms of this arrangement more than clear.
The other night, I’d sent my security detail to her apartment to retrieve most of her luggage. It was supposed to be an easy pickup assignment, but she demanded a discussion about her skating clients, and our hostile negotiation ended with me agreeing to fly her students to Vegas on my dime every other week.
And just when I thought that was the end of the difficulties, she insisted on going over the contract line by line and adding minor adjustments. I was now spending far more than the amount we agreed on, and she had yet to offer me anything except stubbornness in return.
So much for ‘redeeming the favor’ with no questions asked…
The car’s backdoor finally opened, but she didn’t step out.
Instead, Penelope did.
Letting up her umbrella, she waddled toward me.
“Good morning, Mr. Carter,” she said. “How are you on this dreary day?”
“I’m losing my patience.”
“Well, that’s nothing new.” She shrugged. “There are some crucial boundaries I need to set before I allow my client to take you up on this endeavor.”
“Your client already signed the contract.” I rolled my eyes. “Tell her to get out of the goddamn car.”
“Using such foul language this early in the morning doesn’t reflect well on your character, Mr. Carter.”
“Cut the shit, Crown. What are you doing?”
“I have some terms and conditions of my own that I need to share with you,” she said. “Since Tati is the only true friend I’ve made in my life, I can’t afford for you to fuck this up.”
“Come again?”
“I didn’t stutter.” She looked dead serious. “If you hurt her in any way, I swear I’ll publicly disown you and make your life a living hell.”
I crossed my arms as she pulled a mini notebook from her pocket.
“Miss Brave is a successful businesswoman who needs ample time to focus on her work, so you need to realize that your career is not the only one that matters over the next ninety days.”
“I’ve already made plenty of concessions for that.”
“Since you have no idea what romance is,” she continued, “and you need people to believe in this nonsense, allow me to give you a cheat code. Tatiana likes long walks in the park, candlelit dinners, and ultimate gentlemen. None of that grumpy caveman, overly possessive, and alpha male stuff.”