Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 91149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“What’s up?” I say casually.
“Um… listen… I wanted to let you know that I’ve got a job opportunity and I’m going to be taking Bowie Jane with me.”
My words are terse as I stop in my tracks. “What kind of opportunity?”
“I’m relocating to Singapore,” she says brusquely.
“The fuck you are,” I snarl into the phone. “There’s no way I’m letting you take her out of the country.”
She sighs heavily. “It’s a good career move for me.”
“What career? I freaking pay you spousal support. You haven’t had to work since we got married and you haven’t held a job since we divorced.”
“Well, Chet is taking a job there and he wants us to join him. He’s an actor and he’s got a big opportunity in front of him.”
“You said you had a job opportunity,” I remind her.
“I do. There’s a chance Chet can get me a walk-on role. He has some clout.”
I don’t bother telling Sandra that I know all about Chet and his lack of an esteemed career. Instead, I maintain my stance. “I won’t agree to it.”
I listen for the next several minutes as Sandra whines, moans and rages about the unfairness of it. “This is my big shot. You never supported me in my acting career.”
“You didn’t have an acting career. You were in three episodes of a small Vancouver TV production and your role wasn’t even credited.”
“You’re an asshole.”
I want to tell her she’s a bitch but that’s not my style. I’ve never been a name-caller and I’m not about to start.
Blowing out a breath, I calm my voice. “Our custody agreement is very clear. First and foremost, you cannot even move out of the San Francisco area without my permission and agreement if it affects the custody schedule. But it is very clear that she is not to be taken out of the country at all.”
Thank fuck for my really great divorce attorney.
“I’m taking her,” she maintains.
“Good luck with that because that’s technically kidnapping. You try something stupid, Sandra, I’ll sue for full custody.”
“I have a right to a life,” she cries.
“You are a mother first and foremost,” I sneer. “Your life comes after Bowie Jane’s happiness and how can you think taking her away from me will make her happy?”
“You’ll still have summers,” she tosses at me.
“I want every fucking day I deserve, not just summers, so I’m not agreeing to her going. Get an attorney if you have to and we’ll fight this out. You’re not taking from me the scant opportunities I get to see her during the year and taking her out of the country basically ensures that. Why don’t you go to Singapore and she can stay with me?”
Sandra laughs caustically. “You can’t take care of her with your job. Particularly with your travel schedule. You’re not a fit parent to keep her full time.”
“The hell I can’t. I’ll leave the fucking league and be a full-time dad if I have to.”
Sandra gasps. “You wouldn’t.”
“I would and you know it. Nothing is more important to me than Bowie Jane. Can you say the same? Is this new boyfriend of yours more important than your daughter? Because I am not letting you take her out of the country.”
“I’m not just following Chet. I’m trying to make a career. It’s job-related and a judge would understand that.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. But I’m willing to fight it out. So, what’s it going to be?”
She tries to sound tough, but her voice is shaky. “I’m taking my daughter to Singapore.”
“Our daughter,” I correct. “First thing I’m doing when I hang up this phone is booking a flight to San Francisco and I’m taking Bowie Jane, which leaves you free to follow your boyfriend. Then I’m going to call my attorney to immediately seek full custody. Buckle up, Sandra, because no fucking way I’m letting you do this.”
Her response is dead air as she hangs up on me.
“Fuck!” I yell into the empty players’ garage and the sound reverberates all around me.
But I don’t call the airline to book a flight and I don’t call my attorney. Instead, I dial the Titans’ general manager, Callum Derringer.
♦
The executive offices for the Pittsburgh Titans are on the top floor of the arena. The two corner offices belong to the team owner, Brienne Norcross, and the general manager, Callum Derringer. They both have breathtaking views over the Allegheny River with the city skyline on the opposite side.
I didn’t go into details with Callum about the nature of my problem, only that I needed to talk to him immediately about a family issue. I expected him to fit me into his schedule within the next day or so, but he told me to come up now and I hightailed it to his office, shooting a quick text to Van that I wouldn’t be joining him and Boone. I suddenly have far too much to do.