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“You’re getting more terrifying every day, Humble Kid.” Ralph looked up from his laptop. “I might be forced to bet on you winning this time.”
“Thanks,” I said dryly. “Did you file the paperwork for a rematch yet?”
“Of course.” He nodded. “The UFC wants to make an entire event out of it, so expect some significant press changes to your schedule.”
“Speaking of press—” I opened my bag and pulled out this morning’sVegas Times. “I thought the purpose of marriage was to completely reverse all the bad news.”
“The purpose ofyourmarriage, yes,” he said. “Us regular people typically marry for love or money.”
“Today’s front-page headline is negative as hell.”
He put on his reading glasses and recited the headline aloud. “Don’t Believe the Hype: Travis Carter Will Never Change His Ways, Bet on a Divorce.”
“How is this negative?” He smiled. “It’s an opinion piece from a junior editor.”
“It’s on the front page, Ralph.”
“Wouldn’t you be upset if they put you anywhere else?”
I snatched the paper from his hands, and he laughed.
“Look on the bright side,” he said. “Seven sponsors have committed to renewing their contracts with you as of this morning.”
“Please tell me that one of those is Mr. Truss with Nike.”
“Nope, but he promises he’s going to sign you after you do a few more things.”
“Don’t tell me what they are.” I shook my head. “I don’t want to know.”
I took out another daily with a less-than-flattering headline, and Tatiana stepped into the room and cleared her throat.
“Where’s the best place for me to have a private dinner on The Strip?” she asked.
“Depends on what type of experience you’re looking for,” I said, eyeing her short pink dress. “You’d have to tell me that first.”
“I’m catching up with an old skating colleague tonight,” she said. “By the way, you may want to send a heads up note to the media that he’s just an acquaintance if they happen to spot us together.”
“He?”
“Yes.He.” She paused. “Tristan Chamberlain.”
“Your former skating partner?”
She nodded. “He wants to formally apologize for what he did to me over dinner.”
“I’m sure he does, but you can’t see him.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I won’t allow you to.”
“Oh, okay,Father.” She rolled her eyes and walked away. Then she looked over her shoulder to Ralph. “Can you tell my husband what year we’re in? He seems to have gotten knocked back into a different century during his practice today.”
The door slammed shut, and Ralph held up his hands in a surrender.
“Leave me out of it.”
“Fine. Give me my phone,” I said to Ryan.
