Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
He nodded. “Sort of like when the Zamboni cleans the ice during second period intermission. Changes the entire playing surface.”
He saw her mouth quirk and suspected she was trying not to laugh. “Yeah. I guess there’s a similarity there.”
Setting down the papers, he said, “You’re really into art, huh?”
“Of course. It’s my passion.”
A smile reached his lips. He hadn’t spent much time with women who were passionate about anything outside the bedroom, and the light in Hayden’s green eyes tugged at something inside him. He realized this was the first time she’d opened up to him, engaged in a conversation that didn’t include ground rules, and he liked it.
“So do you paint, or just lecture about painters?” he asked curiously.
“I used to draw and paint a lot when I was younger, but not so much anymore.”
“How come?”
She shrugged. “I was always more fascinated with other people’s work than with my own. My undergrad was mostly studio work, but I did my master’s in art history. I realized I liked studying great artists way more than trying to become one myself.” She drew her knees up into a cross-legged position and asked, “What did you study in college?”
“Sports sciences,” he answered. “You know, kinesiology, sports medicine. And I minored in athletic coaching.”
“Really?”
Her expression revealed nothing, but he got the feeling she didn’t believe him, which made him feel like he was in high school all over again. The kid who’d been written off by his teachers as a big dumb oaf just because he happened to be good at sports. They’d stuck the jock label on him, and no matter how hard he’d tried to tear it off, the judgmental attitudes remained intact. One time he’d even been accused of cheating on an English test he’d spent hours studying for, all because his teacher decided that a kid who spent all his time handling a puck couldn’t possibly finish a book like Crime and Punishment.
Hayden must have sensed his irritation because she quickly added, “I believe you. It’s just…well, most of the athletes I knew growing up only went to college for the athletic scholarship and just skipped all the academic classes.”
“My parents would have killed me if I’d skipped class. They only allowed me to play hockey if I maintained an A average.”
Hayden looked impressed. “What do your parents do for a living?”
“Dad’s a mechanic, and Mom works in a hair salon.” He paused. “Money was always tight during my childhood.” He resisted the urge to glance around the lavish penthouse, which was an obvious sign that Hayden hadn’t had the same problem growing up.
He wasn’t quite sure why he’d brought up the money part, either. He hated talking about his childhood. Hated thinking about it, too. As much as he loved his parents, he didn’t like to be reminded of how hard life had been to them. How his mom used to stay up at night clipping coupons and how his dad walked to work—even when Michigan’s winter was at its worst—each time their beat-up Chevy truck broke down. Fortunately, his parents would never have to worry about money again, thanks to him.
The phone rang, putting an end to their conversation. Hayden picked up the receiver, then hung up and said room service was on its way.
As she headed for the elevator to greet the bellhop with the cart, Brody turned on the television, flipping through a few channels until finally stopping on the eleven o’clock news.
After rolling the cart into the living room, Hayden uncovered their food and placed a plate in front of him. The aroma of fries and ground beef floated toward him, making his mouth water.
He’d just taken a big bite of his cheeseburger when a familiar face flashed across the screen. He nearly choked on the burger as a wave of unease washed over him.
Hayden had also noticed her father’s image, and she quickly grabbed the remote to turn up the volume. They caught the anchor in midsentence.
“—came forward this afternoon and admitted there is truth to the rumors surrounding the Chicago Warriors franchise. The player, who refused to be named, claims that the bribery and illegal betting activities Warriors owner Presley Houston is accused of are, in fact, true.”
Sixteen
Every muscle in Brody’s body coiled tightly as he stared at the screen, wondering if he’d misheard the anchor. Next to him, Hayden made a startled sound.
“An hour ago, the league announced they will be launching a full investigation into these allegations.”
The newscaster went on to recap the allegations that Presley bribed players to throw at least two games at the start of the season, and that he’d placed bets on the outcomes. The divorce was also mentioned, as well as Sheila Houston’s alleged affair with a Warrior, but by that point Brody had tuned out the news segment.