“Ah, right. I completely understand. It’s a big decision. I was never truly a hockey wife since we were only together for a short time while Emmett was playing, but I’m sure it’s a lot to try to manage a careerandthe NHL schedule.”
She has no idea.
“Yeah, it’s definitely a lot,” I say. “Could I let you know soon?”
“How soon? We’re hoping to launch the new paper this summer, and there’s still so much to do to get ready for it. We wanted to get the ball rolling sooner rather than later.”
“A week?”
She pauses, and I can tell she doesn’t love the request, but she grants it anyway.
“Thank you,” I tell her. “I appreciate it. One week, and I’ll have your answer for you.”
“Good. And, Chloe?”
“Yes, Avery?”
“I hope it’s a yes because I’d really love to work with you. You’re very talented, and I can’t believe another paper hasn’t snapped you up already. I want to be the one to do it. So, get back to me soon, even if you don’t need the full week. Heck,especiallyif you don’t.”
“I will,” I promise her.
We end the call, and I clutch the phone in my hand like it’s a lifeline. Right now, it feels like one.
Chloe Keller, Editor-in-Chief.
I smile again, but it fades almost instantly, and I look back into the apartment. The game is paused, and a heavy knot settles into my gut. With a long inhale and an equally long exhale, I walk back inside. Callum is sitting up, and as I pad closer to him, I can see that his head is tilted down, his shoulders damn near his ears. I don’t have to question why.
“You know.”
He closes his eyes, then nods. “I know.”
I drop onto the couch next to him, trying hard not to be offended when he scoots away.
“When?” I ask.
“The wedding. I guess congratulations are in order.”
Ah. That explains why things have felt so off between us since then, why he changes the subject whenever I mention work, even if it’s his work. He’s been avoiding this just as much as I have.
He turns to me, and the hurt in his eyes is evident. I wish more than anything I could wipe it away.
“I think the better question might be why.”
“Why? What do you mean?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” He explodes off the couch, and Percy goes running into the spare bedroom.
I don’t blame him. I wish I could run too, but I don’t. It’s time I face this.
You can’t run from a hard conversation forever, you know.
Talia’s words ring loud in my head, and I already know she’s going to be so mad when she finds out I’ve been hiding this from her too, but I had to. I had to make this decision on my own. For too long, I’ve let others dictate so much, and I wanted as littleoutside influence on this as possible because this is forme, not anyone else.
“I found the card.”
He tips his head to the side. “What card?”
“The one in the drawer. For the…” I swallow, not wanting to say the word but knowing I need to. “For the divorce lawyer.”
