Page 30 of Claiming Her Cougar (Shifting Pines #2)
LIAM
I fire up my laptop when I get back to my place.
Yeah, my plan was to spend my Saturday night working, but for a moment, I had a much better offer with Mallory that beat any plans I had.
Fucking hell. Clicking through my email, I see one that commands my attention.
I’m dialing my dad as I finish reading it.
“Dad, can you come out here? I have news on the pier deal.”
“On my way.” I hear him call out to Mom as he hangs up.
A minute later, the door opens, and Dad comes in, carrying his coffee mug. “What’s up?”
He sits on the stool next to mine at the breakfast bar, and I slide my laptop in front of him so he can read the email I received.
“Wow,” he says. “I thought it would be about six months before they were ready.”
“Yeah, I know. I guess they decided they were done. What do you think?”
The deal we are considering is buying a pier on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Currently it’s a mostly vacant shopping mall in need of updating. It’s a great location, right across from Devil’s Den, the casino Teagan owns.
Sipping his coffee, Dad looks at the email. “Are Teagan and Jake ready?”
Picking up my phone and dial. “Yeah, but let me get them on the line.”
“Call your uncle too,” Dad advises.
“Hey, you’re conferenced in and on speaker. My Dad is here,” I tell them when they each answer their phone.
“Hi, Liam, what’s up?” Jake must’ve been on the casino floor because I hear the ding-ding-ding of slot machines fading as he probably enters a hallway behind the scenes.
“Got an email from the real estate agent. They’re ready to sell Sand Dollar Pier now and are offering to us first. Price is right where we want, and buying now stops another six months of neglect. You guys still in?”
“Hell yeah!” Teagan yells.
“Absolutely,” Jake affirms.
I look at Dad.
“Mike, what do you think?” Dad asks.
“You’re the businessman, Will, but I think you’d be stupid to pass up this opportunity.” Uncle Mike clears his throat. “Of course, all of this depends on inspections and our due diligence going as expected, but based on what we’ve done already, I don’t foresee any issues.”
“You’ve covered your ass well, Mike. Your lawyerly duty is done,” Dad says, his blue eyes twinkling with his laughter. “We’re buying a pier!” he calls out, raising his arms like he just scored the winning goal.
We all cheer and discuss the next steps. Morgan Development is purchasing the pier, but it’ll become a joint venture with Devil’s Den and Penhall Enterprises. I email the agent with our intent to purchase, and the information needed to start the process of contracts and inspections.
Wow! I’ve just taken the first step of my future. I hope it’ll lead me right to where I want to be—working for myself, coaching, and if I can ever woo her in the right direction, in a relationship with Mallory Carter.
Dad stands to leave. “Well, I’m going back up to the house. Congratulations, guys. I’m excited to be working with you.”
“This speeds up our timeline,” Teagan says. “Do we want to submit our franchise application now?”
This is it. We’re finally doing it. This pier will provide the home arena for a team in the very first Paranormal Hockey League. I pump my fist in the air. Finally, shifter players like me and Trevor will have opportunities to play after college. I can’t believe I’m finally getting my dream.
“Absolutely,” Jake states firmly. “Get in as an inaugural team and have a say in how the league is run. We can’t pass up on an opportunity like that.”
“Listen to you, making managerial decisions already,” I tease Jake.
“Okay.” Teagan types on her laptop. “This is really happening. Our franchise application has been ready to go. We just needed word on the pier. We have Boardwalk Hall as a backup plan if the pier falls through, but I trust all will go well.”
We spend another hour discussing our plans and what we need to do to implement them.
My brain is buzzing with everything on the horizon.
I always knew a career playing professionally wasn’t an option for me since I was a shifter, but I was hoping to work for an NHL team behind the scenes as a coach or in the front office.
After the accident derailed my college playing career, I sidelined those dreams.
Now I have a chance to achieve not only my dream but to help others achieve their dreams of playing professional hockey. It’s heady stuff.
I want to call Mallory and tell her about all of this, but until we’re under contract for the pier and our franchise application is approved, there’s nothing to tell. Anyway, according to her, we’re just friends with benefits. Our plans for the future, our dreams, don’t factor into it.
According to her. According to me, she’s part of my plans for the future, part of my dreams. She just doesn’t know it yet.