by Mary Smith
Copyright 2016 © Gone Writing Publishing
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PUBLISHER: Gone Writing Publishing
Dedication
Family Guy
Thank you for making me laugh as I write these dark topics.
Table of Contents
Dedication
Roster
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
About the Author
What’s Next?
New Hampshire Bears’ Roster
Coach: Taden Long
Forwards:
15 – Hamilton Baer*
56 – Alden Brockman
11 – Ladd Hanes
28 – Edgar Hopp
81 – Zerrick Justice
88 – Finlay Mackey
67 – Gage McLoyd
16 – Vance Pemberton
53 – Jarvis Richter
72 – Remington Rosin
65 – Kyson Wick
86 – Bas Zorn
Defensemen:
6 – Cable Dirks
4 – Keaton Jaco
32 – Walker Lange
2 – Dag Limon
5 – Ivan Rodin
7 – O’Dell Tillman
57 – Shade Wooten
Goalies:
50 – Teo Elgin
* - means Captain
Prologue
Maxima
February
I hate Spanx more than anything, but I have to wear them to make this black sweater dress fit. I scratch the outside of my thighs because the wool leggings are killing me.
Stop fidgeting.
I knock on Remington’s Rosin’s door and pray this isn’t some sort of prank or evil doing.
No, it won’t be.
Remington doesn’t seem to have what I call asshole DNA. He first came to me around New Year’s, while I’d been working on his finances, and asked me out. He and I sat for many hours figuring out his money and got to know each other.
“Maxima.” His smile shines bright. “I’m really glad you’re here.” He steps to the right, allowing me to walk into his home. His very big home.
“Wow, you have a nice place.” I look around the large foyer and living area.
“Thanks.” He places his hand on the small of my back. “I have everything set up for us over here.”
He guides me into the dining room. “You didn’t have to go all out, Remington.” He has candlesticks and fine china along with a massive meal.
“Please don’t be too impressed. The food is catered and the place settings are rented.” He holds out my chair. “If I actually made this meal, we’d be having chicken wings or pizza on paper plates.”
I gracefully sit down and smile up at him. “You could have done that; I’m not picky.”
“Nah,” he waves his hand. “This is much more appropriate for you.”
My cheeks flare at his kind words. I’m not used to hearing such things about me. I’ve been overweight most of my life and recently struggled to go from a size twenty-four to a fourteen. I don’t turn a lot of heads.
“Wine?” Remington picks up the bottle.
“Please,” I answer. As he pours, I say. “Thanks for inviting me over. This is quiet nice of you.”
“Um…” He hands me the filled wine glass and takes a seat next to me. “I have an underlying reason as well.”
“Oh.” My heart sinks. “What is it?” Does he assume he gets to have sex with me? No, it can’t be about sex. Fat girls don’t have sex with men like him, and I can’t have sex with him.
“I need a favor, and it’ll be the biggest favor I’ll ever ask of anyone.” He sounds scared.
“What is it?” I ask again. My hands begin to tremble and I place them in my lap. This can’t be good in any shape, form, or fashion.
“I never told you, but I have a daughter. She’s eight and the light of my life. Her name is Arabella Grace.”
“Oh.” It’s nice to hear someone say their daughter, their child, is the number one priority in life. “You shouldn’t be nervous about telling me about her.”
“No. I mean, I’m not nervous talking about my daughter. However, let me tell you about her mother. Normally, I don’t talk bad about people, but being with Rickie and marrying her was the worst mistake of my life. Arabella is my greatest gift. However, Rickie has really gone off the deep end, and Arabella is suffering.”
I lean back in my chair. My heart already goes out to the little girl. I know how she feels, even without fully knowing her. But I can feel there’s more to this.
“Anyway, I want to take Arabella away from Rickie, and I’m having trouble.”
“How so?” I tilt my head.
“I’m a single man whose career has him on the road more than at home.” He takes a deep breath. “I need to show the judge, the court, I can give Arabella a safe, stable, and nurturing home.”
My heart stops, thinking of a million scenarios in my head. “Remington, could you please get to the point?” My head might explode if he keeps going around and around.
“I need a fiancée.”
My mouth drops. “What?”
“I’m asking you to move in here, pretend to be my fiancée, and help me raise my daughter until I can get full custody.”
He’s staring at me; the seriousness and urgency are rolling off him. I have no words. If someone were to ask me my name right now, I couldn’t answer them.
“I know I’m asking the biggest favor anyone could ask. There’s no amount of money I could ever repay you for this.”
I stand quickly, almost tipping the chair over. I have to pace and begin walking around the room. Pacing helps me think. The motion lets me feel like I’m doing something, and it calms my racing thoughts.
I know Remington is a good guy. If he says his ex-wife is bad, then she is. But, I would be lying to a judge about Remington and I being a real couple. Everyone knows I’m the world’s worst liar.
“Describe your daughter to me.” I continue walking around the room. I hope talking can help me calm down as well.
“Arabella is
great. She loves books and reads all the time. When she isn’t reading, she loves to color and play with her American Dolls.”
I rub my temples. I do my best to keep my mind in the present and not think about my childhood. This isn’t the time. But, I can’t let a great man lose his daughter. Moreover, I can’t let an innocent daughter miss out on a happy childhood when she has a parent who loves and adores her. The pain in his eyes says it all.
“When do you need an answer?” I stop and study his face once more.
“Soon.”
“I’m not sure, Remington.” I sit back down in the chair.
“I know this is something you can’t just decide in a split second.”
“I’d have to move in here?” It’s a question I already know the answer to.
“Yes. Arabella would have a stable, secure home.” He sips his wine, and I can see his hands are shaking. This is a strong, determined hockey player. The best in the league, but right now, he’s a father pleading for help.
So, many questions flood my mind. “I can’t…I can’t think.”
“Do you want to leave?”
“I need fresh air.” I walk out to the front porch, letting the cool air calm me down.
My mind flashes to him and her. I hate them both so much. All the horrid memories came rushing back, but is this Rickie as bad as mine? Is she worse? Flashes of them and all they did to me fill my head. I can only hope it’s not something she’s going through.
“Maxima.”
I turn, and Remington is standing by the door, hands deep in his pockets, looking extremely nervous. “I need to think,” I tell him again.
“If you say no, I’ll understand.” His voice is low, sincere.
“Give me time.” I rush out the words without thinking. “I’d need to meet your daughter too.”
Remington seems to perk up a bit. “She’ll be here in April.”
I nod. “I have to go.” I bolt back into the house, grab my purse, and without another word, head to my car. I leave him on the porch.
April
“Today is the big day.”
I nod at my therapist, Caryn Hammons.
I’ve been coming to her for almost two years now. Even though she’s young, she has a bright mind and gives me the best feedback. It took me a long to find someone whom I could trust with my secrets.
“I meet her in an hour. Well, when I leave here.” I rub my hands together. “I’m nervous.”
“I believe I would be too.” Caryn smiles. “Have you thought anymore of his proposal?”
“Every single day.” I sigh. “But I have no answer yet.”
“You’re a smart woman. You will choose what is best for you.”
God, I hope she’s right.
She’s here.
My hands are shaking as I pull in his driveway. Being around kids has never been an issue for me. I think kids are great, but I’m not generally around any. Most of the time, I like being alone.
It’s safer.
I ease out of the car and walk up to the door. I take a deep breath and knock, nervous even though Remington and I have spent time together since his request. He quickly answers the door and smiles. He’s really is sexy. His black hair is short but thick, and his dark brown eyes seem to look right into my soul. We have talked a few time since I left here on Valentine’s Day, but I’ve kept the conversations about hockey, work, and the weather. All of which were safe topics in my mind.
“Hi.” I rush out first.
“Hi.” He exhales softly. “Come in. She’s in the kitchen.”
He leads the way, and I try to calm myself down before reaching her. She’s the first thing I lay my eyes on. She has Remington’s black hair and dark brown eyes. Her face is more round than his heart-shaped one.
“Arabella, this is Maxima. I told you she’s my friend who wants to meet you.”
The little girl hops down from her chair and comes right up to me, sticking out her hand. “Hi, I’m Arabella Grace Rosin.” Her smile is so bright it makes me smile as well.
“Hello.” I take her hand, kneeling down to her eye level. “I’m Maxima Keck.”
“I’m coloring,” she blurts out. “Do you want to color?”
“I’d love to.”
Arabella tugs my hand toward the table. She and I color in her Disney Princesses book. She’s talking non-stop about the drive from Liberty, Maine to here. I never thought a car ride could be so much fun, but apparently Arabella had a blast with Remington.
We had a lunch of grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and big glasses of chocolate milk. Arabella has moved the conversation to school and her friends. She still has said nothing of her mother.
After we finish with lunch, she and I play with all her dolls in her room. Remington went all out on her room. Its bright pink and purple with a huge canopy bed and every toy a girl could dream of. I’m having a lot of fun with her, and her energy is contagious. Before I know it, Remington is coming in and asking about dinner.
“Dad, can we have chicken wings?” Arabella jumps up and down.
“May we,” he corrects her with a smile. “And have you asked Max if she likes chicken wings?”
Arabella rushes back to my side. “Max, you have to try Dad’s wings. They’re the best ever.”
I giggle. “Okay, I’ll have wings with you.”
She claps her hands and runs back over to her dad, hugging his waist.
“All right, clean up in here. Max and I need to talk for a moment.” Remington looks over at me. I stand and follow him downstairs to the kitchen.
“We haven’t really spoken today.” He grins.
“I’ve been busy with tea parties.” I joke.
He chuckles, but then his face drops. “Have you made a decision?”
I shake my head. “No, but she is amazing.”
“Thanks.” Pride emanates from him. “She’s my everything.”
“I can see it.”
“Um…” he clears his throat. “I furnished the guest room, and I know you took this week off, so if you want to stay here this week, you’re more than welcome.”
I glance down at my feet, avoiding eye contact. “Thanks, but I’ll stay at my place.” I feel my cheeks growing red. I’m not sure why, but thinking of staying here makes me feel a bit embarrassed.
“It’s an open offer.” He touches my shoulder before moving toward the stove.
This is getting harder with each passing moment.
For the next six days, I spend as much time as possible with Arabella. She’s a priceless angel and has the biggest heart. I took her to have mani-pedis when Remington had practice. We even went to a game, and she yelled for her dad every time his skates hit the ice.
The hardest day is her last day. The night before she finally spoke about her mother, Rickie. Her own mother calls her paycheck and never by her beautiful name. The tears build in my eyes as Arabella cries in Remington’s arms, begging to stay and not go back. My heart breaks as I tell her goodbye before he takes her back to Liberty.
Even as they drive away, I’m still torn as to how to answer.
May
“I just want to let you know—” Remington sits in a chair in my office. He came by to drop off some information about his stock portfolio.
“She’s staying the weekend?” We’ve not talked a lot since Arabella left in April, but he knows I’m still thinking everything over.
“Arabella wants to see you.” He gives me a sad smile. “She talks about you every time I speak with her.”
“I can come Sunday. I have so much work I might not be able to come Saturday.”
He nods. “I understand.” He stands and, with another small smile, leaves. It makes me feel worse than before.
“Max!” Arabella comes barreling at me, almost knocking me over. Luckily, Remington braces me and my body heats up at his touch.
“Hi, Arabella.” I stroke her hair. “I’m sorry I couldn’t come over yesterday.”
“It’s okay
,” she beams.” “You’re here now.”
“I am.” Seeing her again fills me with emotion.
“Come on; Dad made our favorite.” She tugs on me until I follow her into the kitchen.
Remington already has three plates with grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and a small handful of chips. We all sit down and Arabella tells me all about the happenings since her last visit.
Her bubbling attitude disappears when four quick knocks pound on the front door.
“She’s early.” Her eyes fill with tears. Remington looks as sad as Arabella.
“Go upstairs and get your stuff,” he says softly.
I watch as she slowly slides off the chair and walks dejectedly to the stairs. Remington quickly jumps up and storms to the front door. I automatically follow him without thinking.
“You’re early,” he says as he swings the door open.
“Ask me if I care. I have stuff to do, and since your fucking ass can’t bring my paycheck home, you’ll have to deal with it.” The voice coming from the other side of the door is raspy.
I can see around Remington and see an extremely tall, thin blonde with dark roots. She has green eyes and small thin lips.
“I told you I’d bring her if it’s a problem, and stop calling her paycheck,” Remington growls back at her.
“And who are you?” She stares at me.
“None of your business, Rickie.” Remington steps in between us, blocking her view of me.
“I’m ready, Dad.” Arabella sniffs and tears roll down her cheeks.
“God, more water works,” Rickie complains. “Come on.” She raises her voice harshly at Arabella, causing the young girl to jump.
“Hey, honey.” Remington kneels down to her, and she hugs him. “I’ll come and get you in a few weeks. I love you so much.”
Arabella only nods, releasing her tight grip on his neck, and then comes over to hug me.
“Bye, Max.”
“I’ll see you soon.” My voice cracks, and the lump in my throat grows.