Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
I’m taken aback—in a good way—by her warmth and generosity. “You’re very kind. Callum has provided well for me and my father. And thank you for letting me come to your party.”
Brienne shoots me a wink. “I’m going to be at our inaugural tea party that you ladies planned last week. I heard all about it and I’m in charge of scones.”
It’s both weird and captivating that this powerhouse of a woman can run a multibillion-dollar empire and get excited about making scones for a spontaneous idea to have a monthly tea party.
Brienne squeezes my hands before releasing them. “You two head on in. There’s food and an open bar. Once we’re all boarded, our captain will take us out onto the river.”
“And where will the fireworks display be?” I ask.
Brienne grins and tosses her head toward the rivers’ confluence. “Right on the water. They’ll be set off from barges. It’s going to be spectacular.”
Callum’s hand comes to my back, ready to lead me inside. “Guess it doesn’t matter where we stand… we’ll have a great view.”
“That was the whole idea behind this vessel.” Brienne laughs. “Granted, I wasn’t envisioning fireworks but rather being able to see the beauty of the skyline from the water. Still, I think we’re all in for a treat tonight.”
We say our goodbyes and Callum leads me inside. There’s a gorgeous buffet of all-American Fourth of July food including hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue, potato salad and apple pie. Large silver tubs hold beer and hard seltzers as well as soda and water for the kids.
“Let’s get something to eat and grab a table. We can decide whether to stay inside or go out when the fireworks start.”
We load plates and Callum grabs two beers for us. We sit at a table with Coach West and Ava and are joined by a handful of the single players. For the next forty minutes, we eat, drink and laugh. The interior of the glass boat is spacious with enough tables to seat everyone but only half take advantage of them, the others preferring to stand out on the deck as they hold their plates.
I end up meeting more people than I can ever hope to remember and when the boat begins a slow glide into the middle of the river, everyone is excited. The sun has set, the sky a dusky purple. Over a loudspeaker, a deep male voice says, “The fireworks will begin in about fifteen minutes, but if everyone could come into the interior, Brienne Norcross has a few words.”
It doesn’t take long for everyone to congregate under the glass structure, filling the large space shoulder to shoulder. Brienne stands in the middle, and so she can be seen, someone places a chair before her, and Drake offers support as she climbs onto it. He keeps a steady hand on her hip and she rests one on his shoulder.
She doesn’t have a microphone, but her voice rings clear across the crowd. “Thank you, everyone, for coming. I know we’re missing a handful of people tonight as folks who are wiser than us are off on beautiful vacations this summer. But they are with us in spirit. I had this boat built for business purposes, but tonight I wanted to use it so our team could be together on this very important holiday to our nation. I’m just so happy to have you all here and you know I’m proud of each and every one of you. For all of the resilience, grit and determination you have shown this past year and a half, I want you to know there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. I want to tell you to eat, drink and enjoy the rest of the evening, particularly the amazing fireworks. But before we do that, I want to address one important thing.” And here, Brienne takes a pause and looks around the room before locking eyes with someone. “Coen… can you come up here? Tillie as well.”
I rise to my tiptoes to see Coen Highsmith and his wife, Tillie, walking through the crowd toward Brienne. I met them briefly just a bit ago. Brienne hops off the chair and positions herself between the two of them, looking around at the crowd of Titans and their loved ones. “I know the news was shocking last week that Coen’s leaving us and yes, we’re going to throw a hell of a going-away party for him. Technically, he’s not even a Titan anymore if you believe the ink on the contract papers, and I’m going to have a hard time thinking of him as a Viper.” Brienne tips her head up to look at Coen. “You are the absolute epitome of what this team is about. Our success is owed in such a big part to you and thank you is not enough. We’ll miss you so very desperately next year and while I want to wish you all the best of luck with the Vipers, I still hope we kick your ass when we meet up.”