Read Online The Arrangement (New Hampshire Bears Novella) by Mary Smith - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Mary Smith
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ice skates on again.” His tone tells me there will be no arguments or discussion. I know he can hurt me and worse.
“Dad.”
Mr. Grion doesn’t even flinch when Dacey says his name. He takes one step back. “Yes, darling.” He smiles at her.
“Don’t hurt him.” She steps up to my side. She’s already saved me once by telling her father a lie about the girls I’d been with.
“I’m not.” Mr. Grion continues to smile. “We’re simply having a talk.”
“It’s all good, Dacey,” I add, trying to remain calm, although I may need to change my pants.
“I’ll leave you two alone.” Mr. Grion glares at me before leaving the room.
“He didn’t hurt you, did he?” she asks with concern.
“I’m fine. Really.” I still have my brave face on. “By the way, you look incredible.”
“Oh, thanks.” She inspects herself. “I went to your table and your mum told me Dad grabbed you up. You all right? He can be gruff at times.”
It seems to be an understatement, but I move past it. “We were just talking.”
“Can we talk?” She motions to the chairs by us.
“Yes, of course.” I wait for her to sit first, and I follow.
“Dad talked to Aimee and me last night. He told us a…interesting story, and then I yell at you and slap you.” She sighs and her eyes water. “I am sorry about hitting you. I crossed the line there.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” I say. I’m surprised she didn’t kick me in my package as angry as she was.
“However, I’m not sorry about what I said. Probably, shouldn’t have said it so loudly, but...” she trails off.
“I’m glad you said it and loudly.” I want to reach for her hand, but stop. “Um…what were you saying about your dad’s story?”
“Oh well…just he and Mum understand our issue and they were giving me advice.”
“What was the advice?” I’m definitely scared now since I don’t know what she’s going to say.
Dacey picks at her dress and doesn’t make eye contact. The only noise I can hear is the party through the walls as the silence fills the room we’re in.
“The way I take it is, we can work this out,” she finally says.
“I want to work it out.” I reiterate the words I said before.
“Trust is a huge deal. No relationship or marriage can survive without it. When you get into the PHL, you’ll be gone more than home and there are a lot of temptations out there. You with better looks and bodies than me—”
“Wait.” I stop her mid-sentence. “You’re gorgeous. You can stop traffic with your outstanding curves. Why would you ever think you weren’t stunning?” I’m appalled at her thinking.
“Because my arranged is banging everyone else,” she barks at me, but shakes her head. “Sorry, I just…you don’t understand. I’ve been able to do nothing. I can only travel with family. I have no real friends. I went to the University my parents wanted. I never experienced anything. But you have. You’ve trotted the globe chasing your dream. I’ve done nothing.” A single tear slips down her cheek.
I feel like an ass. A royal ass. I know she’s telling the truth, because she always tells the truth. Plus, every time I called her, she’d always be home.
“Dacey, I don’t want to ruin your life or be the one who causes you pain.” This time, I do take her hand in mine. “I want to make a deal with you. A real promise.”
She stares deeply into my eyes.
“I leave for America Thursday. From this moment, until I leave, let’s do everything you want to do. All of it. Name it and I’ll make it happen.” Pride bursts through me at this brilliant idea, but it’s short lived when I see the pain in her face.
“Let’s not,” she whispers. “I need to be alone. If you see me at the airport Thursday, then we can discuss our future. If not, then I wish you the best of luck in the PHL. You were born to be on the ice.” She pulls her hands from mine and walks away, leaving my heart crushed.
Chapter
“Dad.”
Mr. Grion doesn’t even flinch when Dacey says his name. He takes one step back. “Yes, darling.” He smiles at her.
“Don’t hurt him.” She steps up to my side. She’s already saved me once by telling her father a lie about the girls I’d been with.
“I’m not.” Mr. Grion continues to smile. “We’re simply having a talk.”
“It’s all good, Dacey,” I add, trying to remain calm, although I may need to change my pants.
“I’ll leave you two alone.” Mr. Grion glares at me before leaving the room.
“He didn’t hurt you, did he?” she asks with concern.
“I’m fine. Really.” I still have my brave face on. “By the way, you look incredible.”
“Oh, thanks.” She inspects herself. “I went to your table and your mum told me Dad grabbed you up. You all right? He can be gruff at times.”
It seems to be an understatement, but I move past it. “We were just talking.”
“Can we talk?” She motions to the chairs by us.
“Yes, of course.” I wait for her to sit first, and I follow.
“Dad talked to Aimee and me last night. He told us a…interesting story, and then I yell at you and slap you.” She sighs and her eyes water. “I am sorry about hitting you. I crossed the line there.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” I say. I’m surprised she didn’t kick me in my package as angry as she was.
“However, I’m not sorry about what I said. Probably, shouldn’t have said it so loudly, but...” she trails off.
“I’m glad you said it and loudly.” I want to reach for her hand, but stop. “Um…what were you saying about your dad’s story?”
“Oh well…just he and Mum understand our issue and they were giving me advice.”
“What was the advice?” I’m definitely scared now since I don’t know what she’s going to say.
Dacey picks at her dress and doesn’t make eye contact. The only noise I can hear is the party through the walls as the silence fills the room we’re in.
“The way I take it is, we can work this out,” she finally says.
“I want to work it out.” I reiterate the words I said before.
“Trust is a huge deal. No relationship or marriage can survive without it. When you get into the PHL, you’ll be gone more than home and there are a lot of temptations out there. You with better looks and bodies than me—”
“Wait.” I stop her mid-sentence. “You’re gorgeous. You can stop traffic with your outstanding curves. Why would you ever think you weren’t stunning?” I’m appalled at her thinking.
“Because my arranged is banging everyone else,” she barks at me, but shakes her head. “Sorry, I just…you don’t understand. I’ve been able to do nothing. I can only travel with family. I have no real friends. I went to the University my parents wanted. I never experienced anything. But you have. You’ve trotted the globe chasing your dream. I’ve done nothing.” A single tear slips down her cheek.
I feel like an ass. A royal ass. I know she’s telling the truth, because she always tells the truth. Plus, every time I called her, she’d always be home.
“Dacey, I don’t want to ruin your life or be the one who causes you pain.” This time, I do take her hand in mine. “I want to make a deal with you. A real promise.”
She stares deeply into my eyes.
“I leave for America Thursday. From this moment, until I leave, let’s do everything you want to do. All of it. Name it and I’ll make it happen.” Pride bursts through me at this brilliant idea, but it’s short lived when I see the pain in her face.
“Let’s not,” she whispers. “I need to be alone. If you see me at the airport Thursday, then we can discuss our future. If not, then I wish you the best of luck in the PHL. You were born to be on the ice.” She pulls her hands from mine and walks away, leaving my heart crushed.
Chapter
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