Page 74 of Line Change

“Want me to hold him?” Hadley asks, setting her drink on the ground and gesturing to Tate.

“No, I got him.” Madison shifts in her seat, gazing lovingly down at her son. And I can’t wait for that to be me with my little one.

Eventually the second period starts, and Wes and the defender that hit Hunter drop their gloves, fighting. The other guy gets a few good hits in, but Wes uses his size and strength to get the upper hand and eventually drops the guy to the ice, and one of the linesmen steps in. Wes is assessed five minutes for fighting and a match penalty for instigating.

“Fucking hell.” I shake my head.

So they’ll assess a penalty for that but not for the hit on Hunter that was clearly to the head. I can only hope the Player Safety Board reviews the play and maybe assess a suspension or a fine. Not that it’ll help with the situation we’re in now as Nashville has a power play.

The Storm kill it off with only two shots on goal, both of which Holt easily stops. The rest of the game passes in a blur with a few more fights breaking out and the players on the bench on both teams barking at each other on and off. The Storm take the lead late in the third period and win the game.

Chapter twenty-seven

Sebastian

I’m heading out to my car on Tuesday, having just finished morning skate before we leave this evening for a short road trip, when my phone rings.

“Well, shit.”

The number calling me is none other than Glenn the lawyer. And yes, that’s how I have him saved in my phone.

“Hello,” I say as I open the door and climb in.

“Good afternoon, Sebastian. This is Glenn Richards. I represent the estate of the late Mary Jefferson. I assume you know why I’m calling?”

“I do.” I put the keys in the ignition and turn on my car. No use sitting in the heat.

“It’s taken me a little while to verify the validity of your marriage.”

“Oh?” As far as I know, we signed all the paperwork, and the Justice of the Peace took it with them after the ceremony.

“But have no fear, according to the state of Florida, you two are married.”

“Good.”

“I do have a few questions for you. The late Mrs. Jefferson left strict instructions that I was to verify the validity of the marriage not only in the eyes of the state but in other ways.”

I hope he’s not about to ask whether we’ve consummated the marriage.

“Since you two are married and together, I assume you know a few finer details about Ms. St. James—excuse me, Mrs. Henderson, your wife.”

“Yes?” I’m not sure why it comes out as a question.

“When’s her birthday?”

I rattle off the date, glad he’s starting with an easy question.

“Good. Good. Where did she go to college, and what did she study?”

“Jacksonville University. Marketing and Public Relations with a minor in Journalism.” I’m glad Sutton had the foresight to tell me that information. At the time, I thought it was overkill, but now I see it wasn’t.

“And her siblings?”

“She has two half siblings. Same father, different mother.”

“And finally, who was the late Mrs. Jefferson to her?”

“Her grandmother. Her father’s mother.”