My Icy Hot Rebound - Book 1 Boys of Winter series (Sample only)

Chapter 4

"So, he's hot."

"We work together. It's not like he's interested in me and even if he wanted to date me, Eddie would kill us both. Besides, it's against Falcons policy."

"You're family, policy doesn't count."

Allie watched Cate fiddle with her screen. She loved the ability to talk to her friend through her computer screen, but the drawback was being able to see every last thing Cate was doing, including all the distractions.

"What are you doing? What are you looking up?"

"Will Cavallo, of course. I'm checking him out. Hmm, did you know his nickname is The Horse? That's an interesting development," she said with a hint of playfulness. "He got his nickname because his last name is Italian for horse. I wonder what kind of horsepower he has. I bet he's one horse you'd like to ride. Maybe I shouldn't beat a dead horse. Okay, I'll stop horsing around."

Allie blinked a few times. "Are you finished now?"

Cate burst into laughter. "I'm in a silly mood, and yes, I think I'm finished."

"Like I said, I couldn't chase after him even if I wanted to. And Cate, I've seen some of these wives hanging around. I don't compare. Not even a little."

"I think you're gorgeous. I wish you'd date more often and wear some sexier clothes. Show off those assets of yours. Do I have to come over there and help you shop?"

"No, and my clothes are fine."

"You're way too conservative. You need to loosen up. You're always trying too hard to be put together. It's like you aspire to be uptight."

"The minute I let go a little, I worry people will think I'm acting like my mother."

"You're nothing like her. In fact, I can't believe you're related. The two of you couldn't be any more different."

Allie watched as Cate became immersed in something else. "Did you know that his mom died when he was nine? Cancer."

"No, I didn't," she said. It made sense, the charity he wanted to donate to. "Are you still cyberstalking Cavallo?"

"I need to know everything about him. His dad remarried when he was twelve and he has one older brother. Looks like Cavallo has never been married."

"If you want to research him, do it later."

"Oh, fine," Cate said, sensing Allie's annoyance. "So how are you going to deal with these wives?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'll have to be delicate."

"You can handle them."

Allie rubbed at an imaginary smudge on her coffee table. "You know what would be nice? If these women accepted me. Even extended their friendship. So far this experience has been a lonely one."

"You are not going to be a quitter," Cate said, shaking her finger at Allie. "I'd kill for a job with the Falcons. Do you think I enjoy being junior, junior, junior counsel for a grocery chain? It's boring shit."

"I think there's an opening with the Falcons," Allie said, her mood lifting.

"I don't think Andy's interested in a move to Russell. He likes the action here in New York."

"I've got to make friends, Cate."

"You will. And before you know it, I'll see you at Christmas."

"I miss you."

"I miss you too, but you'll be fine. Things will get better, I promise."

***

Will got home in time for Graham and Jason to arrive. Graham had been Jason's agent, negotiating his first few contracts before the booze and pain pills took hold. Graham had tried to get Jason back on track to no avail. He was an excellent agent with a shitty client. When Will made the big leagues, the choice to have Graham represent him was a no-brainer.