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#Chapter 55 Public Speaking
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 56 Wrong Place, Wrong Time
I had been sitting on the floor for five minutes—maybe ten? I couldn’t keep track—when I heard two sets of shoes coming down the hall. One sounded like Barnett’s, but the other sounded lighter, like a smaller person’s footsteps.The door to the women’s restroom opened.“Hello? Ms. Leonard?” a woman’s voice called.I wiped my mouth with some toilet paper before I answered.“Yes?”“Are you all right? Mr. Cogsworth told me that you were not feeling well.”“I-no, I’m not all right. My stomach is very upset.”“Do you have to…do anything else?”I didn’t answer for moment, trying to assess the state of my stomach.“No, I think I’m done.”“Can you stand up?”I pulled myself up onto wobbly legs. I cursed my high heels as I nearly slipped onto the toilet. I slipped off my heels and walked out of the stall.A woman in a white blouse, black slacks, and white nurse’s shoes greeted me. She rushed forward to support one side of me.“Don’t worry, I have you,” she said. “My name is Claire Smith,
Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 57 The Talk Show
I was so sick of the exploitation. All that these media vultures wanted to do was to start rumors and feed off my misery. The idea made me queasy all over again, despite the anti-nausea medication.I looked to Barnett.“What should we do?” I whispered.“I don’t think we have a choice,” he whispered back. “We’ll have to do it.”“Why? Your reputation will survive this.”“But yours might not.”Barnett turned to Thaddeus.“We’ll do it,” he said. “We’ll appear on your little show tomorrow.”Thaddeus’s eyes fixed on me, as if to say, “Oh, will you?”I nodded.“Yes, we will.”“Very well,” Thaddeus replied. “I will keep a hold of this picture until after the show, for insurance. You understand, right?”Barnett breathed deeply through his nostrils, the muscles in his neck tight.“Yes,” he said through clenched teeth, “but after the show, I will be there to personally ensure that you delete it. You understand, right?”I watched Thaddeus’s Adam’s apple move up and down as he swallowed.“Yes
Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 58 The Truth Be Told
“Anna? Anna, are you okay?”I looked up as Barnett approached me. The concern in his tone and facial expression touched me, but I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing down my cheeks.“No,” I choked out.He wrapped me up in his arms and pulled me close.“I’m so sorry,” he said, rubbing my back. “That was a low blow of him, bringing up your brothers like that.”“Why do people even think that?” I sobbed into his chest. “There’s no way that their deaths could have been my fault.”“People just love to sensationalize everything—”“But why? Am I such a bad person that people would assume that even as a child I would do something so horrible?”“No, no, of course not.”“Then why?”“Because tabloid reporters are jackasses just looking to make a quick buck, no matter who it hurts. All we can do is learn to ignore them.”“But-but I can’t. I could ignore what they say about Charlie because it’s so ridiculous, but Michael…”I couldn’t finish that thought.“What?” Barnett asked. “What happen
Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 59 Friction
I felt like a deer in the headlights. Even Bob seemed to take renewed interest in the conversation. Funny, considering that he didn’t care to know about my diagnosis when the doctor wanted to tell him. I knew that I had to give an answer, soon. The longer I waited, the more suspicious it would seem. I slipped my hand out from beneath Barnett’s and gave my full attention to Thaddeus. “Yes and no, Chuck,” I began. “Yes, in that I did have a health scare that night when some stomach pains from stress became too much for me to handle. No, in that it turned out to be nothing.” “Are you sure?” Thaddeus prodded. “The timing is awfully coincidental—” “It did happen at the same time that Bob and I decided that we were going to divorce, which led to many life-altering changes for me. However, the stomach pains themselves were nothing to worry about. I am perfectly fine.” The corner of Thaddeus’s lip faltered, as though that wasn’t the answer
Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 60 Dinner with the Devil
I hardly slept that night, thinking about how I had lied to Lily and Barnett. By the time my alarm went off the next morning, I had only gotten a collective three hours of sleep, if that. Fortunately, I was able to cover up my lack of sleep with makeup. I walked through the door to Arthur’s office just in the nick of time. “Cutting it close, my little fan girl,” Arthur teased as I approached him. I rolled my eyes but smiled. “I had a rough night.” “I bet. After the first time I did Chuck’s show, I couldn’t sleep for a week. All I could do was think about everything I did wrong.” “You, the wonderful Arthur Stardust, did something wrong?” “Oh, trust me, I did a lot wrong. My outfit was only the beginning.” I laughed as I set out Arthur’s makeup for the day. “Remind me to look that clip up.” Arthur groaned and covered his face dramatically. “Please, don’t. That first episode was nearly career-
Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 61 Just Desserts
I watched as Barnett scooped a bite of the Spanish almond cake into his mouth, smiling at Julia. My blood boiled. I could not believe that Barnett had gone to dinner with that she-devil, just because he and I had had another disagreement.I all but leapt to my feet and charged over to their table. I would not let this afront go unanswered.“Anna, where are you going?” Arthur called after me, but he did not dare follow me.At the sound of my name, both Barnett and Julia raised their heads. Julia smirked around a bite of Tarta de Santiago. Barnett lowered his fork back to the plate.“Anna, what are you doing here?” he asked as he wiped cake away from the corner of his lips.“I could ask you the same question,” I replied, my hands on my hips.“I’m just having dinner and a little dessert,” he said. “Nothing wrong with that, is there?”“There is when you’re eating with the ex that you swore you had nothing to do with anymore.”Julia swallowed and huffed at me.“I don’t think that’s any of
Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 62 Unexpected
Everyone stared at me as the vomit dripped from my mouth and onto the floor at Arthur’s feet. I watched, mortified, as Arthur slowly stood up, hands at his side. He walked over to me, and I closed my eyes just as he put his hand on my shoulder.“Anna, are you okay?” he asked, his words quick and panicked.I opened my eyes to look up into his. He stared at me with genuine concern. I nodded my head, only for more vomit to attempt to make its way up my esophagus.Fortunately, I was able to swallow it back down.“I’m fine,” I croaked.“Are you sure?” he asked. “Because I just asked if you were fine, and after you said that you were, you threw up all over me.”He laughed in an attempt to lighten the mood, but I could tell that he was in way over his head.“I’m fine. We need to get you cleaned up and changed for The WWWs—”“I’m not going to The WWWs.”I gawked at him, and everyone around us stared at him expectantly, waiting for him to elaborate or say that it was a joke. His expression sho
Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 63 Anna’s Answer
“I love you, Anna,” Arthur repeated.He stared at me expectantly, waiting for an answer. His eyes widened, and they reminded me of the doe eyes that my brother Michael used to give me when we were children and he wanted to get something from me. It made my stomach churn, and I almost vomited all over again.How was I to respond to that? He saw how I responded to Barnett being with Julia the night before; did he think that my feelings could be changed so easily? Or was he really so blind to what all that had meant?I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Arthur was not just my boss; he was one of my closest friends. I didn’t want to lose what we had.At the same time, I couldn’t lie to him and say that I returned his affections. I loved him, but like a brother—like the brothers that he reminded me so much of. I couldn’t lead him on.I could tell by the way his brow furrowed that my hesitation was already causing him doubt and upset feelings. I had to give him an answer, and quickly. I plac
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Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 80: The Hat Trick
9 years later… I sat down in the first row, my coffee cup balanced in my hands. The rink was cold, and I was bundled up in a sweater and a winter coat. Beside me, Lily sat with my daughter on her lap. Winnie was just three years old, and she was already asleep on Lily’s shoulder, the hood of her pink parka pulled up over her head. The sight of them together warmed my heart.“Damn, she’s getting heavy,” Lily said.I smiled. “I know. They grow up fast.”She nodded. Lily didn’t have kids, and I didn’t think she ever wanted to. She was happy being Cool Aunt Lily, and I thought that was amazing. She still traveled all over the world, bringing exotic gifts back for her niece and nephews.“She asks about you all the time now,” I said. “She calls you ‘wi-wy.’”“Adorbs.” Lily hugged her closer. “We’re going to be besties when she’s older.”“For sure.”“Scratch that. We’re already besties.”The first period was about to start, and I sat up straighter. Both teams were on their benches. I could
Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 79: Journey's End
“I’m the father,” he repeated.I nodded. “That’s why I was trying to find you. I wanted to tell you, but after what Julia said, I thought you never wanted to see me again. If not for Lily, I would have continued to think that. Still, I’m sorry you’re only finding out now.”A sad look crossed his face, and he put his head in his hands. “God, I’m sorry.”I stood up and walked around the desk. His muscles tensed, but he didn’t look up as I ran my hands over his shoulders. “You’re here now,” I said.“I should’ve been with you the whole time.”He swiveled around in his chair and hugged me, his face resting lightly against my stomach. I ran a hand through his soft blond hair. “I’m so sorry,” he said. He looked up at me and gave me a wide smile. My heart skipped a beat. “I’m really happy, Anna.”“You are?”“You have no idea.” He still hadn’t let go of me, but I didn’t want him to. I never wanted him to. If I could have stayed in his arms forever, I would have.“I’m happy too,” I said, tears
Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 78: The Father
Barnett gestured for me to sit down, and I took one of the plush armchairs across from his desk.“Can I get you anything?” he asked. “Water or something?”I shook my head. “No, I’m alright.”He nodded and sat down in his leather chair. “Either Lily is clairvoyant, or she convinced you to come here,” he said after a moment of awkward silence.“She’s adamant that we talk.”He just nodded again.Another long stretch of silence ensued as I searched for something to say.“You look great,” he said. I wasn’t used to this awkwardness between us. It seemed to squeeze at my throat, preventing the words from rising. So much time had passed, and he felt both familiar to me and completely a stranger.“I heard about your father,” I answered, ignoring his compliment completely. That felt like dangerous territory. “I’m sorry he was sick. Is he doing better now?”“He is,” he said. “It was tough going for a while, but he’s doing a lot better now. Good enough to kick me out, anyway.”“He sounds like a c
Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 77: Lovers Meeting
“Barnett, open up!” Lily called.Barnett sighed and got out of bed. It was still early in the morning, early enough that he wanted to yell at her through the door and tell her to go away. He hardly slept as it was. The last thing he needed was an early morning wake-up call.He pulled on his robe and stomped over to the door.“Barnett!” she called again.He yanked open the door and scowled down at her. “Do you know what time it is?”She smirked and shoved past him into his apartment. At least she had two coffee cups with her. She handed him one and he took a sip. It was still hot, and it burned his tongue.“It’s a beautiful day,” she said.“Is it?”He sank down onto his couch and pulled his robe tighter around him. Lily didn’t sit down, she just started pacing back and forth in front of him. He was much too tired to deal with all her energy. Lily wasn’t much of a morning person either, but today she was clearly on something.“Did you sleep at all last night?”“Like a baby,” she said, h
Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 76: Setting Things Straight
I’d been home for nearly a month, and people were still talking about my ‘relationship’ with Arthur. It was really starting to drive me crazy. To the point where I knew I’d have to set the story straight if I ever wanted the rumors and speculation to stop.The nursery was mostly finished now, and the rest of the rooms were looking better, too. I had my office set up with a desk and some of my filming equipment. I planned to use it mostly for behind-the-scenes stuff, but it would work if I needed to film a quick video like I did now.I decided to just film a sit-down video. I’d been filming my vlogs at the gym in my building, and while that was going well, I’d avoided addressing everything with Arthur.I knew people were still talking about it because the comments on my videos were mostly about our relationship. People wanted to know why we weren’t traveling together more. If we were going to get married. What we planned to name the babies.Everyone seemed convinced that they were his,
Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 75: The Nursery
I wiped my hand across my cheek, realizing at the last second that I had blue paint on my fingers. I rushed over to the bathroom and laughed when I caught sight of myself in the mirror. There was pale blue paint smeared across my cheek, dotted across my white t-shirt. There was even a bit of paint at the ends of my hair that I would probably have to cut off.Deciding to decorate the nursery myself might have been a bad idea, but I couldn’t deny I was having a lot of fun. As much as I was making a mess, it felt meaningful to do it myself. To pour all my love and hope into that one little room.The cribs were arriving in a couple of days, and I already have a tall, white dresser to put in there for all the baby clothes. I bought a changing table from a lady online and it was already up and waiting in my new office. There were still quite a few things I needed before the babies were born, but I was finally on track.After arriving home, I decided that the first thing I needed to do was f
Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 74: Unhealthy Obsessions
He couldn’t stop looking at the pictures. He knew he needed to, but Barnett couldn’t turn away. They were all over the internet. Everywhere he went, the photos and videos of them taunted him. They were holding hands on a sailboat. Sitting together on a rock, their faces red from their hike. Having dinner beneath the stars in some far-off place with just trees and mountains for miles, looking far more intimate than Barnett would have liked.One headline caught his eye as he scrolled, and he sucked in a breath.PREGNANT FITNESS INFLUENCER ANNA LEONARD TRAVELS WITH FAMOUS BOYFRIEND ARTHUR STARDUSTHe finally forced himself to put down his phone. Agonizing over it wasn’t helping him. Anna was happy without him. He just had to accept that somehow and move on, even if it seemed like an impossible thing to do. She was clearly in love with Arthur.Just as he placed his phone down on his desk, it rang.He picked it up without checking the Caller ID, half-convinced it was Anna calling. That he’
Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 73: Miscommunications
Lily found Barnett at his apartment. She had to knock a few times before he finally came to the door, a slight scowl on his face.“So, you’re back,” she said.He stepped aside to let her in. She closed the apartment door behind her and trailed him into the room. “How was Egypt?”“It was fine. Saw the pyramids.” He looked interested, but she wasn’t there to talk about Egypt. “Have you been online recently?”
Hockey Billionaire's Hat Trick #Chapter 72: Anna’s Letter
I stopped in front of the mirror and pulled up my shirt. A few months of filming later, and I was really starting to show. I kept having to buy new clothes as my size changed. Those jeans I worked so hard to fit into didn’t even make it past my thighs now.I dropped my shirt and looked over my outfit. I had on a pair of workout leggings, sneakers, and a form-fitting pullover that showed off my protruding belly. Arthur and I were hiking today for our segment. My hair was up in a high ponytail, and I had some natural makeup on. Without it, I had dark circles under my eyes from all the early morning shoots.
