Page 63 of Love You Already
“Umm because your husband is worth millions. His contract alone is probably a lot, not to mention all the sponsorships he has.” Becket says it like I'm the stupidest woman in the world.
“He didn't talk about money.” I shake my head as my thoughts whirl. “We didn’t talk about it. I don't care about that stuff. I just...”
“Sis, I think you might need to talk to him about things. Hell, with what he makes, you never need to work another day in your life. All of that money is yours too.”
Ho. Lee. Shit.
CHAPTER 30
THAT'S JUST ANOTHER BENEFIT TO BEING MINE.
Lachlan
I sink into the ice bath with a wince. Practice today was brutal. Coach is determined to have us moving as a single unit before the season starts in four weeks. If nothing else, we're all sharing the same levels of pain today.
Coach sent us through a variety of drills. Everything from small area drills to partnered speed drills. His goal was to keep us quick, agile, and ready to pivot as needed. If I didn’t know how well it worked, I’d be pissed at how hard he pushed us.
We were all limping by the time he blew the whistle to signal the end of practice. Jones leaned heavily on me, meaning I got a bonus workout just trying to get us both to the locker room. Once I get him to his stall, I moved to my own and began the slow, tedious process of getting undressed before making my way to the baths.
My phone chimes to let me know it's time to video chat with my wife. It's one of many alarms I have set throughout my day to either text or call her. She may have thought I wasn't dedicated to making this work, but I'm set to proving her wrong in every way.
“Hey, Superstar,” she says softly, her face pressed against a pillow. I know exactly how it feels to lie beside her in that space. It's such a visceral memory I can feel the ghost of her touch on my skin despite the distance. It warms me enough to battle the icy coldness surrounding me. Fucking freezer temps in here.
“Hey, Ace. You look good like that. Wish I was there.”
She hums in response, her eyes tracking over my exposed upper body. “Another ice bath?”
“Yeah. Coach put Riggs to work on the ice today and the poor kid struggled to keep up. The rest of us had to work double time to keep it together. He's getting there though. Just needs more guidance.”
“I'm sure between you and the others, he'll have it,” she teases.
There's something else going on with her tonight. I can't pinpoint what it is though. It's as if there's a shadow hanging over her that mutes the emotions she's feeling.
“Hey Lachlan?” Her eyes track to the side of the camera.
My gut goes tight as worry fills me. Is this the moment she tells me she gives up? That she wants a divorce and to be done with me since I can't be around like I had been?
“You know I didn't marry you for your money, right?”
I can't help the laugh that comes. “Yeah, Ace. I know you didn't even know who I was that night.”
“And you understand I don't want any of it? That's yours. You earned it. I have Sips and the money I won while riding.” Her fingers grip the pillow beneath her head tightly.
“Where did this come from? I've never thought you were that kind of woman at any point since the day we met. My money is yours as well, I won't deny you that right. But I will promise not to force it on you in any way. It's there if you want to use it.”
She shakes her head quickly. “I doubt I'll ever want to use it. And I didn't even think about it until Beckett and I were talking about it the other night. He made a comment about me never having to work another day in my life because of your money. I swear it wasn't something I'd considered. I like work —”
“Ace! Calm down, baby. There's nothing to get worked up about. I'm fine. You're fine. The money is there, and neither of us will touch it until the other agrees. How about that?”
“But it's yours.”
“What's mine is yours too, wife. That's just another benefit to being mine.” I smirk at her. “The other is not looking too hot under all this ice or I'd show him off to you.”
Her laughter comes over the line, settling the nervous energy from before. “You're such a tease. I think there's more to you than your dick, but it's definitely an awesome bonus.”
“Enough talk about my cock. I don't want to pop a hard-on in this ice. That's a miserable feeling. Tell me about your day. What's going on with the family?” I press to distract both of us. If we get to talking sex, I'll have to cut my ice time short and that won't be good for tomorrow.
“There isn't much to tell. Bridgett picked up work with the high school to photograph the football team. An anonymous donor is funding her work. It's weird to me, but she's happy, which is good. Beckett has been going nonstop at the ranch, refusing to go into town since Caroline was spotted in town. And well, Nate is being Nate. He's working at the garage and avoiding us all.” She sighs as the weight of it settles over her.