Page 37 of How We End

“Yeah, Jon, things were going well until that hit on Silver by McMann.Silver was a little slow to get up.”

“You have to wonder, Shawn, how much longer Julian is going to be able to take those kinds of hits.He’s not twenty anymore.”

“Hopefully he has a few more games in him because the Coyotes have some tough teams coming up.”

November 11

10:59 p.m.

Julian:

Can I get a rain check on tonight

Cassidy:

Of course

I can refund you

Julian:

No don’t

Cassidy:

Are you okay

Julian:

I’m fine

Just a rough game its not a good night

Cassidy:

Okay

If you change your mind

Julian:

I wont

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

WYATT

November 15

The grand room at the Bellagio had been decorated to look like a winter wonderland.White silk curtains covered the wall and ceiling.White-flocked trees decorated in pale blue were scattered around the perimeter of the ballroom.Each table had a large white floral arrangement that was perched on three-foot glass risers.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look?That dress looks very nice on you.And I like your hair.”My client nervously swallowed his drink.

Someone had trained Gabriel Callum very well.“Yes, you did.And thank you for noticing.”Mr.Callum was Richard Valentine’s friend.The one who had lower expectations.Gabe, as his friends called him, had booked me for a six-hour dinner and had left the rest of the night open.I was to be the pretty thing on his arm as he faced his work colleagues for the first time since his soon-to-be ex-wife had been publicly seen with her tennis instructor.I was his tit for her tat.

“Do you have any kids?”he asked.

“God no.”I laughed, taking a sip of champagne.I never wanted them.My sister always looked frazzled and was running after one of her three.My parents didn’t seem to know how much work it was to have kids and forgot to put my sister and me first.