It may feel like a betrayal. Believe me, Aloysha, it is not. The true betrayal is for you to allow me to become a weight on your life. I know you have the resources to care for me at home. I know you have the love in your heart. But please think of the cost to yourself and the life you have not lived to its fullest. There are many kinds of love, and the love of a father for his son and vice versa is just one of them. You still have a great love ahead of you—a family to build, a woman to cherish, your favorite hockey player to win. Do not let me stand in the way as I did before.
I may look at you as if you are a stranger. I may call you different names or no name at all. I may remember you as a boy or forget that you ever existed. Accept my apologies in advance for hurting you and know that while it might seem like I have forgotten, it is not true. Inside this shell, I am here with my beautiful memories trapped in amber. Memories of you, of your mother, of a life well lived.
I am, and will always be, so proud of you.
All my love,
Papa
While I read, he sat back and looked up at the sky. It was long past sunset, and the night was closing in, with candy-striped colors being superseded by midnight blues and grays.
I settled beside him, my head on his shoulder, the tears streaming down my cheeks at witnessing this evidence of the great love between a father and son. We might no longer be husband and wife, but tonight, our hearts beat as one. I would always love the boy who had captured my heart and the man who had crushed my soul.
“I’m glad you are here, Silver Eyes.”
“I’m glad I am, too.”
Chapter Fifty-One
Volkov Signs with the Yates Group
Arkady Volkov, the University of Minnesota power forward, who is expected to be one of the top draft picks next year, has signed with Chicago’s The Yates Group. The nineteen-year-old junior had recently parted ways with his father-manager, setting off a frenzied scramble to acquire him by every sports talent agency in the country. So it was quite the surprise when news emerged today that he had signed with a boutique agency headed by former women’s hockey pro, Lauren Yates, one that is currently under scrutiny over fiduciary irregularities, which have resulted in several of her clients severing their relationship with her.
* * *
When asked why he decided to go with Ms. Yates instead of a more established outfit, Volkov said, “I want someone who knows what it is like to be in my position. Lauren has been there, not like these men in suits who have never touched a hockey stick. I trust she will represent me well when the time comes.”
* * *
It’s rumored that Arkady has a close relationship with Alexei Nazarov, who is married to Ms. Yates—or should we say Mrs. Nazarov. Never hurts to use those connections!
- @Coby “Big Dog” Dawson, ESPN
Lauren
* * *
My kitchen was done.
The lovely birch cabinets and navy accents looked amazing, and even better, the electrics were up to code so I could actually make coffee without fear of it stopping halfway through a pour.
Sadie moved the cherry red Kitchen Aid mixer to the perfect spot on my counter and stood back. “Now you just have to learn how to use that.”
“Not sure I do. It’s the perfect accessory and gives my kitchen Ina Garten vibes. I don’t have time to actually cook.”
And that made me think of Alexei’s mac n’ cheese because I was a sap like that.
“How about a celebratory glass of bubbles?” Sadie was already reaching for the bottle of champagne in the fridge. I had opened one a few days ago to celebrate signing Arkady, and two of my clients had since come back to me. I also had a voice mail from Felix Shay that I would answer soon. Things were looking up.
“Sure. I noticed Gunnar’s not showing his face. Is he worried I’ll shout at him?”
Pop! The cork didn’t break anything, and soon we were sitting on the finished deck with a couple of glasses at barely one in the afternoon. Such rebels.
“You know he’s only trying to help.”
Both Gunnar and Jason had followed Alexei’s lead, offering to return investments to my clients who had been defrauded. As I would likely be sued if I didn’t make some restitution, I accepted their help. But I didn’t have to like it.
“I know. And I promise to pay it all back as soon as I can.”
