Page 26 of Clear Shot (Lauderdale Knights #9)

Aiden

The deal on the house goes through without much fanfare.

The owner just wanted to offload it so we have a closing date set for the day before Thanksgiving.

Things go quickly when you’re paying cash, and I’ve never been so grateful for the mentors who set me straight when it came to money early in my career.

I have a healthy savings account, a retirement fund, and investments.

I’ve been careful with my spending because I had no reason to go crazy—other than my Harley and the five-thousand-dollar paperweight that used to be my TV.

I have insurance so now it’s a matter of seeing how much they’ll cover after the storm, and in the meantime, I have a cautious new wife who seems intent on staying within some imaginary budget.

It’s impossible to give her exact numbers.

How do I tell her what to spend on basic needs?

How much is too much for groceries? Toiletries?

Anything else she needs. I think the deodorant I use costs five bucks—I don’t really pay attention because I just have money now.

There’s always money in my checking account and savings accounts, and room on my credit cards.

I’ve never bought a house before, though.

Or a furnished one.

Or had a woman I’m in love with to spoil.

And I really want to.

If I can’t be around much during the season, I at least want her to know I’m thinking about her.

So I go to the one person I look up to, both personally and professionally.

Coach Petrov has a beautiful wife, five kids, three grandchildren, and is still in his forties. He started young with his oldest son Anton, who also plays in the league, but his other children are much younger, so in that regard, I feel like we’re on a more level playing field.

“Coach, you got a minute?” I ask him as we head into the hotel after arriving in LA during the next road trip.

“Sure. What’s on your mind?” he asks as we get on the elevator.

“Uh…” I glance at the two equipment managers who got on with us.

“Come on up to my room,” he suggests knowingly.

“Thanks.” I follow him and sink into a chair after he lets us in.

“So, what’s up?” He turns to me curiously.

“This is going to sound a little weird,” I admit, “but I need marriage advice.”

“Because there’s a specific problem or because it’s new?” he asks.

“Because it’s new. We just bought a house—we close the day before Thanksgiving—and I know the money is freaking her out.

She doesn’t come from much, despite having a brother in the league.

To her, that was all about presents and stuff.

Now that she has access to the money I make, it makes her nervous.

But that’s not really an issue. It’s more about me being able to show her I care even when I can’t be there.

We didn’t take a traditional route to marriage, so I don’t want to just say, well, she married a pro athlete. She knows what she’s getting into.”

He nods. “Good for you. But also bad for you.” He pauses. “This was all about the visa, right? And now you’re catching feelings?”

I don’t respond and one side of his mouth quirks up.

“Come on. Don’t bullshit a world-class bullshitter.”

“It was but it wasn’t,” I say slowly. “Johan brought it up and Felix, Jordan and I were all sitting there. Felix was a little reluctant but Jordan literally offered to take one for the team, so to speak. And I knew right away that if it was going to be anyone it would be me.”

“Because you already had a thing?”

“Because we wanted to have a thing but decided neither of us were in a position to do that, so we opted to just be friends.”

“And there are feelings.”

“Yes.”

“Her too?”

“Yeah.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“Coach, we skipped dating and got married. We barely know each other.”

“There’s sex?” he asks bluntly.

“Oh, yeah. There wasn’t before, but yeah…”

“And how did it happen?” He holds up a hand when I frown. “I’m not talking about details—I want to know the emotions or general conversation that led to it.”

“Uh…during the hurricane. She made the first move. I was trying to be a gentleman but then all bets were off.”

He nods as if that explains everything. “And there’s been a conversation about making this a real marriage versus a business deal?”

“Absolutely. We’re both in.”

“Okay, so then my advice from what I told you before I knew all of this really hasn’t changed. Pay attention. Spoil her when you can. Be engaged when you’re home—and I’m not talking about sex.”

“I want to buy her those shoes,” I say, “but is that dumb?”

“Shoes?”

I explain about the Louboutins.

“Oh. Yes. This is an excellent idea. You know her size?”

“I asked Johan and he asked Sloane to ask Claudia. I’ll know soon. The answer may even be in my texts—I haven’t checked yet.”

“Excellent. This is exactly what I’m talking about—showing her you pay attention and you care.”

“Thanks, Coach.” I start to get up.

“But, Aiden?”

I turn. “Yeah?”

“Nothing worthwhile is easy. Don’t ever forget that. My wife and I have had some very dark times. Mostly early on, but they happened. And you will too. Especially considering your… mental health.” Coach is one of the only people who knows about my depression.

“She knows about that.”

“Yes, but I’m certain you haven’t had an episode yet.”

“No.”

“Just keep in mind you’ve lived with it your whole life—she hasn’t.”

“I will. Thanks.”

We talk for another minute before I head to my own room.

Since I’m thinking about her anyway—and I now know she wears a size eight shoe—I call her.

“Hey.” She sounds funny and I’m immediately worried.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Oh, no big deal. Just an upset stomach. I took some antacids and I’m resting.”

“I’m sorry, babe.”

“It’s okay.”

“You want me to let you go?”

“No. Talk to me. How was the trip?”

“Nice and easy.”

“Game tomorrow night?”

“Yeah. Then we’ll head to Phoenix and Salt Lake City.”

“This is a long trip. Eleven days.”

“Yeah, they load up the West Coast games sometimes, but other times, it’s just two or three days.”

“By the time you get back, it will be time to close on the house!”

“Yup.”

“The new bedroom furniture is scheduled to arrive the day after Thanksgiving so we’ll only have two nights without a bed.”

“Are you working on the kitchen?”

“I am. Claudia and I did some damage at Williams-Sonoma today.”

“Good. Get whatever you think we’ll need. Most of my shit was hand-me-downs from my married teammates and stuff anyway.”

“Yes. I found some very questionable items in the box we packed up from the apartment.”

I laugh. “Just throw it away. Seriously.”

“Already done.” She makes a weird sound.

“Babe?”

“Ugh. I don’t think the antacids are working. I just burped and it felt like I might… well, you know.”

“Vomit?” I chuckle. “It’s okay to talk about bodily functions. We’re married.”

“Aiden, I’m sorry—I have to go!” She abruptly hangs up, and I grimace.

There’s nothing worse than a stomach bug, so I feel for her. I’ll check in on her later and make sure Sloane is keeping an eye on her.

These are the times that being apart is hard.

It’s almost certainly nothing serious. We all get viruses or stomach bugs or colds—but it would be nice to hold her hair while she pukes or something. To show her I’m good through both good times and bad.

Impulsively, I decide to send her flowers.

They won’t do much for an upset stomach, but they might make her smile for a minute or two.

Then I’m going to pick up those Christian Louboutin shoes so I can give them to her when I get back. I could order them and have them shipped, but it’s more personal to have them in my hand when I walk in the door.

At least, that’s my hope.

I’m crazy about my new wife, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make the good times as wonderful as possible. My mental health issues aren’t going anywhere, so when those inevitable dark times come, I want to make sure she has something positive to hang on to.