Page 14 of Hold Me Tight

“Thanks for the pep talk, bud. Maybe after you hang up your skates, you can consider the motivational speaking circuit,” Knox throws out with a shake of his head.

“How about you focus on yourself for a change instead of what the other guys are doing on the ice,” Laiken adds.

“I think he’s already a little too focused on himself,” I mutter.

Jax snorts. “Ain’t that the truth.”

Zane catches sight of me and grins. “Yo, Riv. Any interest in coming out with Gigi and me tonight? We’re gonna hit a few clubs.”

“Nah.” Spending any more time with Zane than I have to isn’t even a consideration.

He rolls his eyes and whines. “Come on, man. When did you become so lame?”

When I realized what a dickhead he was. Admittedly, I was a little late on the uptake. I should have seen it sooner.

Undeterred by my silence, he claps me on the shoulder. “You probably already heard the big news.” Before I can tell him that I don’t give a damn about his announcement, he continues, “Gigi and I are getting hitched. The network’s throwing some serious money our way. We’re talking a wedding special, ten episodes, international honeymoon. And they’re paying for everything. Shit’s gonna be epic. And you need to be there for it, man.”

My stomach twists as the full weight of his words sinks in. “Wait a minute, you’re getting married?”

It takes effort to keep my voice even.

He grins like this is the greatest thing to ever happen to him. “Hell, yeah. Didn’t you hear me, bro? They’re paying for everything.”

There’s no she’s the love of my life.

Or I seriously can’t wait to marry her.

It’s all about the dollar signs.

Does he even give a damn about this woman?

Or is she just part of the next big content drop?

The fact I even have to ask that question says it all.

The only thing I can think about is the woman he left behind.

The one who’s still picking up the pieces of her life.

I shift on the bench, pulse ticking faster. “Does Callie know?”

He waves a hand like it’s nothing before yanking on a pair of tighty-whities. “Yup, I stopped by her place last night. I thought it was the right thing to do, you know? She took it well. I think she’s finally over it.”

My jaw clenches.

How is he this much of a turd?

“And I figured I’d talk to her about cutting the child support too,” he adds casually. “Things are tight. You wouldn’t believe the cost of a wardrobe for the show. You’d think these companies would be vying for me to wear their brands on a national TV show. It’s seriously insane.”

That comment has me seeing red as I swing toward him and cock my head, praying I heard him incorrectly. “I’m sorry… You asked her to do what?”

Zane blinks, his stupid smirk still in place. “Relax, man. She’s fine. That girl always lands on her feet. It’s what I love about her. All these people around me want to take, take, take. But not Callie. She wants to stand on her own two feet. Gotta appreciate that.”

I shove my pads into my stall with more force than necessary. “You realize that she’s barely scraping by, right?” I snap. “And you’re out here blowing six figures on a televised circus and your entourage?”

Zane straightens, the smugness falling from his expression as defensiveness flashes in his eyes. “What I spend is none of your damn business, Thompson.”

“The hell it isn’t.” I step forward, fists clenched at my sides. “You don’t show up for Nora or help Callie out at all. And now you want to take even more away from them?”