Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“Visiting hours end in about thirty minutes, sir,” the receptionist looked down at a clipboard. “Sign your name and hand over your ID so I can make you a temporary badge.”
“I called a couple hours ago about needing to speak to Nurse Hachette.”
She looked up and groaned. “So, that wasn’t a prank after all.”
“I told you it wasn’t.”
“Well, I doubt that Nurse Hachette wants to see you again. She despises you.”
“Rightfully so,” I said. “I would still like the chance to apologize.”
She crossed her arms and stared at me as if she were done speaking, and she wouldn’t do anything else.
Another nurse walked inside the cubicle and gasped. “Travis Carter? I mean, what the hell is this bastard doing here?”
I set the flowers on their counter. “Can I get your supervisor, please?”
“Nurse Hachette is the supervisor,” they said in unison.
Before I could beg them to get her, someone tapped my shoulder from behind.
“Are you looking for me, sir?”
I turned around, and she stepped back, the look in her eyes still as hurt and angry as she was on the night she felt my wrath.
“Look,” I said, “I know you don’t have any reason to believe me, and I’m sure you’re calling security within the next thirty seconds—”
“Ten seconds,” she interrupted.
“I’m sorry for how I acted during my stay here,” I said.
“Which part?” She crossed her arms. “You blatantly doing the opposite of what I told you to do or all the times you lashed out at me for no reason?”
“All of it. You didn’t deserve to be treated that way.” I pulled a small envelope from my pocket. “You mentioned not being paid enough to deal with ‘assholes’ and I completely agree.”
“Let me guess,” she said, taking it, “Front row tickets to your next fight?”
“No.” I raised an eyebrow. “Would you prefer that over five years’ salary?”
She ripped open the envelope and stared at the check for several seconds.
“I know it doesn’t change anything, but I really am sorry.”
“You’re still an asshole.” She was smiling. “But I appreciate this gesture. It’ll help me and my family more than you know.”
“Do you forgive me?”
“Yes…But if it’s not too much to ask, I would love an autograph.”
“Of course.” I picked up a pen from the counter. “What do you want me to sign?”
“Not from you.” She rolled her eyes. “Your wife.”
I blinked.
“My daughter is obsessed with figure skating,” she said. “She met your sister last year, and she’s been stalking your wife’s Instagram in hopes of finding her out and about in Vegas, but she hasn’t had much luck. If you could have her sign a shirt or something she can wear, I’d be forever grateful.”
“I’ll bring that to you tomorrow.” I set down the pen. “Anything else?”
“Of course.” One of the nurses behind me spoke. “Pictures with us for our socials and you can write us some checks, too.”
I held back a laugh. “I’ll think about it.”
When I made it home, Tatiana was sprawled on my couch with a business book on her chest. A half-empty bottle of champagne rested on the floor.
Stepping closer, I pulled a blanket from a chest, and her eyes fluttered open.
“Is there a reason why you’re sleeping out here instead of in your room?” I asked.
“I was waiting to confront you,” she whispered, “about something very important. Something that can’t wait another second.”
“I’m listening.”
“You’re a terrible husband.”
“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
“You never talk to me when you get home from your workouts,” she said. “You go straight to your side of the condo.”
“You do realize that this is the first time you’ve talked to me in almost two weeks, right?”
“When we dated in the past, you would still talk to me if I was upset with you.” She slurred. “You are pretty much perfect, Travis.”
“Couldn’t have been. You broke up with me.”
“I didn’t want to…”
I waited for her to elaborate, to finally explain how she could do that to us, but she changed the subject.
“Everyone at the MMA Fangirls brunch was swooning over you today. You’re all they talked about.” She picked up the champagne bottle, but I took it from her. “I was just there for decoration, and Travis comments by proxy.”
“I doubt you’re surprised by that.”
“I’m not, but I might have had one too many mimosas and said some things about you that I didn’t mean.”
“Things like what?”
“I’m sure The Snarky Glove or Madeline will tell you all about it.”
“I’d rather hear it from you.”
“Okay.” She tried to sit up, but she fell back onto the couch.
Holding back a laugh, I slid my hands under her thighs and lifted her, carrying her inside.
When we made it to her bedroom, I pulled back the sheets.
“Do you still sleep naked?” I asked.
“No.” She blushed. “I’ve never slept naked.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.” I set her down on the mattress. “Hold your hands up for me.”