Empty Net

Confused and shocked, Tate quickly looked at Elli. “You want me for seven years?”


She nodded, her eyes full of compassion as she said, “I would have offered more if my uncle would have let me. You know you’re not only the best goalie in the league, but you’ve become part of my family. I know that you put your heart out there for our team every game, and I don’t want anyone but you in my goal.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Adler. I wouldn’t want to play for anyone else but you,” Tate said from the heart, even with Koey shaking his head beside him. Tate didn’t care, though. He had felt like a part of the Assassins family since he arrived. He enjoyed being on the team. He loved the guys like brothers. Elli was a great owner, and even though Coach Bacter scared the crap out of him, he was a great coach. But most of all, Nashville had Audrey Parker, and that alone was enough to keep him there.

Elli flashed him another winning smile before looking back at Koey. Tate could tell she was back to business. With a raised brow, she asked, “So now, Mr. Lefeber, is my deal enough?”

Sounding defeated, Koey nodded as he said, “It is.”

After signing the proper paperwork, Tate left Elli’s office feeling on top of the world. Shaking hands with Koey, they parted ways, then he brought out his phone. There was one person he had to tell, and within seconds her voice filled his ear.

“Tell me that my boyfriend just signed an amazing deal and he is making billions while never leaving me?”

Tate chuckled. “Seven million a year for seven years.”

“Yehaw! Get it, babe! That’s awesome, I’m so proud of you!” Audrey gushed.

Tate smiled, leaning against the wall by the elevator. “Thank you, I am really excited.”

“You should be! When are you coming home? I think this calls for a kiss!”

“I was thinking of more than a kiss, love.”

“Mmm,” she cooed over the phone, “please describe what it calls for, in detail.”

Tate chuckled, shaking his head. “You are going to kill me, you know?”

“Why’s that?” she asked innocently. Even though she wasn’t in front of him, he could see her twirling a strand of her hair around her finger, with her eyes wide while biting on her bottom lip. She drove him mad and he couldn’t wait to see her.

“You know why,” he said, “but that doesn’t mean I won’t show you when I get there. I’ll be there soon.”

“Fine, rush me off the phone!” she teased.

Shaking his head, he said, “ ’Bye, love.”

“ ’Bye,” she sang as they ended the call.



Audrey had been so excited to see Tate, it was a long week without him, but she’d also been worried about Piper. When her friend called, she scolded her, saying, “Hey you, I’ve been trying to call you all week!”

“I know, and I’m sorry, but I need you,” Piper said. She sounded distraught, and it scared Audrey because Piper was always calm, cool, and collected.

“Where?”

“Reese’s studio, Allison has dance.”

“Harper still isn’t feeling well?”

“Not really.”

“Okay, I’ll be there in a few.”

Audrey rushed out of the house and into her car, then drove north to Reese’s studio. After pulling in beside Piper’s car, she got out and sent a quick text to Tate.

She told him she would be back at the house soon. He replied that he was going to take a shower and couldn’t wait to see her. Audrey felt like her heart was going to explode. It was crazy how much Tate meant to her in such a short amount of time. He was funny, sweet, and everything she could want in a man. She had wanted a person who would make her forget her past, and boy, had she found him. Even with Levi still sending texts, she could only think of one person, and that was Tate.

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