Page 37 of All In: The Price We Pay

“Joni, don’t test my patience.”

Her giggles follow me on my way to the bedroom. “What kind of guy are you into? Or do you only talk about that with Valentina Garcia? Do you two have the same taste?”

At the threshold of my room, I turn around and she bumps into me. “I’m never telling you anything again.” I slam the door shut right in her face.

My sister’s laughter fades behind the door until she’s presumably disappeared into the guest room.

The pressure around my heart eases, and I sigh with relief. I’ve missed her so much.

Valentina and Joanne are giggling like two best friends. We’re sitting under the patio heaters in front of a small café in Williamsburg. A few people have taken photos of us, and I’m sure word will get around in a few hours that I introduced Valentina to my sister. My sister never tires of emphasizing that this whole circus doesn’t bother her. She’s certain that no one will care about her anymore as soon as she leaves New York.

At least there aren’t any professional paparazzi around, which would make sitting here impossible. But Valentina only has a few minutes anyway; then she has to move on.

“Are you going to the game tomorrow?” she asks my sister, who nods eagerly. “Definitely. I haven’t been in years and have a lot to catch up to.” She seeks my gaze. “But I want to support Evan.”

“I’m a big boy now,” I reply nonchalantly.

Valentina eyes me skeptically. “It doesn’t hurt to have someone who has your back, though.”

I lean back in my seat. “That’s what I have you guys for now.”

“That’s right,” my sister declares.

“And if you want to go further, we’ll be there too, right, Joni?” Valentina is addressing my sister, but she’s peering at me.

Joanne takes my hand and squeezes it. “Absolutely. I understand you, and I think you’re doing everything right by taking the time to figure out what’s best for you. But don’t forget that you’re not on your own. You have us on your side.”

“And I think Sid and Blake and some of your friends, even though I don’t know them that well, wouldn’t hesitate to take your side,” Valentina adds.

I lower my gaze to the tabletop. The atmosphere under our patio heater feels strange. The air is still cold, and another snowstorm is forecast for New York. But right here, under the heater’s canopy, it’s cozy and warm. If I stretch my foot farther away from our table, it gets cold right away. However, the next patio heater is already waiting at the next table. If we pushed the units together or if I stretched out a bit more, I might be able to create a continuous warm spot for myself.

I lift my head and glance at the two women. “I know. I need to figure out when, who and how.”

“And you still have Parker,” Valentina interjects. “He’s sure to have a thousand ideas on how he can support you.”

“Who’s Parker?” Joni asks.

Parker is simply the man of my dreams. The love of my life. That’s becoming clearer to me every day.

But I’ve had enough of these self-revealing conversations for today.

Chapter 10 – Parker

It’s almost impossible to keep track of that little puck on my even smaller screen here in the office. Damn, they’re fast. And New York is in the lead, thanks to Evan’s own goal and his assist to Sid.

That leaves him two goals short of a hat trick, which he scored in the last game. Yeah, I know what a hat trick is now. New York Won five-to-three, and since he was involved in Miller’s and the rookie’s Goals, basically all the Goals Are on Evan.

I glance at the clock. Why won’t this period end? Florida is charging toward our net, and the center appears intent on running right over the New York goalie to get the puck into the net.

“Gotcha.” Carly’s voice, too quiet and too amused, almost gives me a heart attack.

I squint and snap my laptop shut.

“Sweetie, there’s no reason to be embarrassed.” She’s obviously in a great mood.

“It was research. Nothing else.”

“Of course, Parker. You’re the department head. If you don’t take care of our clients, who will? Hm?”