4

Chelsea

“But he is successful as a hockey player.

He is captain of a famous team and a star player who has won multiple awards and led the team to win the Stanley Cup three times.

If they win this season, they would be winning the cup three times in a roll and from what I found out online, their team has the highest potential of winning.

I read a lot about the guys in the twenty minutes it took us to get to their apartment, and Beckham has such a flourishing career, so I couldn’t understand why his family would want him to quit and go do business.

I don’t know him well enough, but I do know that he doesn’t look like someone who would thrive in a business place no matter how small or big that business might be.

“That’s the thing, Beck’s family don’t care about hockey or how well he has done for himself; they don’t see any of that. They think he is wasting his time when he should be taking over the business.”

Jace explained.

“Is his family a big deal?”

I asked, and Jace laughed.

“Ever heard of Sterling Group?”

I nodded. They own luxury hotels and resorts, department store chains, high-end fashion labels, and commercial cruise lines, and even more that I couldn’t remember.

I just know they are a big deal.

“Well, Beckham is the future of Sterling Group. At least that’s what his family says. Beck doesn’t want anything to do with that life, and they have refused to listen to him.”

I was gagged by the fact that Beckham was from such an influential family but also bothered by how they want to run his life for him.

Even though he clearly wanted differently for himself and is old enough to make decisions about his life.

One thing I know about really rich families is that they decide the lives of children born into those families.

They decide what to eat, what they study, who they meet, who they date, who they marry, and even their whole life.

It must be hard dealing with so much pressure from a family who clearly do not support him. 

My parents might not be together, but they always support me and let me do things my way. When I fail, they always tell me at least I learnt a lesson from it.

I couldn’t imagine having family members who don’t support me.

“Must be hard on him.”

I commented, and Jace nodded.

“He is always in a mood when they call him, so try and understand him. Hayes and I have been with him since we were teenagers, and we know what it’s like.”

I nodded.

“What about you? Does your family support you? Also, Hayes.”

Jace smiled.

“My family loves hockey. Hayes is like my brother; we share one family.”

I blinked at him in confusion.

“Hayes is from an orphanage my family used to visit. He might not have been adopted by my parents, but we share a family.”

He explained. I didn’t know if it was okay for him to share such things with me, but then again, I could have found out eventually since I would be working with them.

“Won’t he be mad that you told me about his life?”

I asked, and Jace laughed.

“No, he won’t. You really don’t know anything about us, do you? Here I thought we were pretty popular.”

I laughed but felt a little sorry for not knowing much about them.

“I am sorry, I only just returned to Canada two weeks ago.”

It wasn’t an excuse, but it was something.

“Oh really? No wonder no one knew about you. Coach kept you a secret, and we feel robbed. We have known him since we were drafted, and we didn’t even know he was married at some point.”

I smiled.

“My parents divorced when I was thirteen, and I moved away to the US with my mother. I have lived there ever since, and I saw my dad whenever his team had games in the US, mostly in New York where I live—I mean, lived. I don’t think I am going back there.”

I don’t even know why I told him all of that, but he looked really interested in what I was saying.

“Oh, but you said you are working for one season.”

I nodded.

“Yes.”

“Will you still be in Canada, just a different part?”

I shook my head.

“Right now I don’t have a plan, but with what you guys are paying me, I think I will be going on a trip to where my parents originated from.”

He lifted his brow.

“You know my dad is Korean.”

He nodded.

“My mom is half-Nigerian, and I am thinking of visiting both places. I have been to Nigeria a few times already, but it’s always with my mom. This time, I am thinking of going alone and just having fun with my relatives. Then I will go to my dad’s. My grandmother would love it!”

I just kept talking even though I knew I shouldn’t be telling him about my plans when I had only just met him.

It’s just that I found it very easy to talk to him.

“Wow, you are a lot. No wonder you are so beautiful.”

I made a face at him to cover the fact that my face heated up when he complimented me.

“Don’t you need to take a bath?”

I pointed out. He laughed, stood up, and took off his shirt right in front of me. It took a lot of self-control for me not to gasp out loud, but the self-control wasn’t enough to help me stop looking at his well-toned body.

“Like what you see?”

Caught.

 I was too taken by what was in front of me to even care that I shouldn’t be ogling.

“Yeah, you are hot—I mean—“

“I know what you mean.”

He said with a satisfied smirk on his face, which told me he took his shirt off in front of me on purpose.

He model-walked out of the living room, and I fanned my heated face with both hands to calm myself.

“You are in trouble.”

I whispered to myself and realized just how much trouble I was in when Hayes walked back into the living room shirtless and wearing nothing but a very short pair of briefs that basically outlined all the assets between his thighs.