Page 64 of He Has It All (Boston Brawlers Hockey)
* * *
In the limoon the way to the team’s offices to drop Chelsea at her car, I call Levi, then the lawyer, Eli, while Ham grills Chelsea for details. I have my hand on hers as she sits next to me, at a professional distance, while Ham sits opposite her. I half listen while she tells him what she saw and that Tiffany has had it for me since back in my college days, so we might be able to find more witnesses of her bad behavior.
I know she’s thinking of Levi and Maggs, but the last thing I want to do is drag them into it, especially Levi. His firm would have a fucking fit if he got embroiled in a sleazy lawsuit.
After arranging a meeting with Levi and Eli at my parents’ house—because my place will be surrounded with media—I slip my phone into my pocket.
Her promise to back me up, to stand up for me, almost brings me to my knees, makes me want to weep with longing, for the barriers we have between us.
“I truly think she’s unbalanced,” Chelsea says. “Maggs and Levi know—"
“We’re not dragging Levi and Maggs into this as witnesses,” I say. “It’s bad enough you’re testifying. Hopefully we won’t need anyone to testify if we can settle this.”
Her scowl is precious and I squeeze her hand. If Ham wasn’t with us, I’d be kissing her right now, to hell with our emotional shit.
* * *
Monday will bea full-day regular practice with drills and a scrimmage and I’m dying to get back on the ice with my team after the weekend off. Clear my head of the shit about the lawsuit.
Today I go home for a family meeting to give everyone the story. Maggs and Levi are there and they’re as shocked as I am about Tim. My brothers want to get physical with him, but Mom, the only one who’s worried that they really will, calms them down. Dad is quiet, but simmering with anger. Gramps is also quiet, shaking his head, sad, not a hundred percent himself.
“You’re staying for dinner,” Mom says as if I hadn’t planned to.
I rush through my first homemade meal in too long so I can go next door to see Chelsea and thank her.
She opens the back door when I knock and I step into the kitchen.
“Hey, since when do you knock?”
“Since I’ve become a pariah,” I say, half kidding.
“Don’t even joke about that.” She motions for me to sit at her kitchen table. She’s alone.
“Your mom working?”
She nods. “At Mike’s. Working. Drinking. Whatever.” She waves a hand. “Never mind—how are you doing? Eli taking the case?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. We’re meeting at the house tomorrow night. Can you be there? You’re part of the team.”
“I am?”
Her question isn’t a simple one, and I know it, but I pretend she’s only talking about the lawsuit even though her eyes tell a different story, the softness of her lips begging for a real answer.
“You’re my witness.” I pause and suck it up. “Look, Chels, I don’t think you understand how grateful I am that you’re stepping up. It means everything to me. But . . . you don’t have to do it if it’s going to cause you any problems."
“I’m not about to let that skank get away with accusing you of something you didn’t do.”
Affection wells up, and with it a whole lot of heat. I cover her hand.
But I don’t get far before the back door crashes open and my brother Gary falls inside, red-faced and panting as if he’s being chased by a killer referee.
