Slap Shot Read Online Free PDF Page B

his hand over his face.
    “At least Morgan will be relieved that her cousin Charisma isn’t up to her old tricks. Sounds like this time she was just caught in the crossfire.”
    Derek smiled. Since he had his friend on the phone, why not get some background information on her? “So what’s the deal with Charisma?”
    “She’s Morgan and Jared’s cousin.”
    “I know that,Mr. Linebacker-Bait. I was hoping for something more detailed.”
    “Once upon a time she was calculating and ambitious but realized that wasn’t working for her. She says she’s trying to change. Morgan believes her.”
    “And we fast forward to my bar being repaired.”
    “The offer to pay for the repairs is still on the table,” Seth said.
    “And I told you, your money’s no good here.But that does make us even for that sports car of yours I crashed.”
    “I’d forgotten about that.” Seth laughed.
    “I hated Brayer’s guts anyway.”
    “That’s the other thing. Some genius decided to get a sound bite of Lamont’s opinion about you and Charisma being the hot new item.”
    “What did he say?” Derek nearly snarled.
    “You’re not going to like it.”
    Derek searchedLamont’s name. The article popped up immediately. It was a video file, so he pressed the giant arrow for play. He gripped his phone as he watched Lamont telling the cameras: “That’s one headache I got rid of a while ago. Popovich is an idiot for getting involved with that crazy, money-grubbing bitch.”
    He was going to kill the bastard. “He has no right to talk about her like that.”
    “I agree. I’d like another crack at him too. He’s either trying to bait you or get back at her for dumping him. I’d get ready for the storm. I give it by mid-morning before one of Morgan’s cousins goes after him on social media. The Reeds don’t mind a good fight, and they hate his guts.”
    “She doesn’t deserve this and especially not from that asshole. He’s dead meat,” Derek barked.
    “Sounds like you care about her.”
    “What? No. It’s nothing like that. After Phoebe’s meltdown, we had lunch. She’s…” Derek cleared his throat. “I haven’t had that much fun with a woman in a long time.”
    Seth hesitated for a long moment. When he spoke again, his words had the sound of a man being careful with what he said. “The Reed women are enchanting. Word of advice. If you’re thinkingabout getting involved with her, tread lightly. Despite her previous antics, she’s more fragile than she looks.” He hesitated again. “In fact, I know you too well. Maybe it’s not a good idea.”
    “Don’t worry, Blake. I need a break from women after this Phoebe fiasco.”
    “If you say so. I have to go. I’m taking the kids over to J.J.’s house for a swim. Mackenzie, say bye-bye to Uncle Derek,”Seth said.
    “Unc Der!”
    “Bye-bye, Kenzie.” Derek laughed. “Hey, Seth, give Morgan my love. And I’ll see you in a couple months.”
    “We look forward to having you.”
    Derek hung up the phone and read the entire article from start to finish. It was a scathing indictment of Charisma’s past. She had quite the reputation for dating athletes and had even been courted for a realityshow. This person he was reading about clearly craved attention and fame. But the woman he’d met yesterday was none of those things. As a matter of fact, she was adamant about not getting that expensive purse replaced. Seth said she was turning over a new leaf. He wondered if it were true.
     
    * * *
     
    Charisma went to work the next day with her head held high, thanks to herchat with Grandma Reed. It meant the world to her that her grandmother believed in her. She’d read the gossip article after dinner. Not only had the picture made them look like two feral animals fighting over a piece of meat, her past was rehashed for all the world to see.
    She refused to let even Lamont’s backstabbing get her down. Later on in the evening she’d gotten a call from her cousinDana