The Enforcer: An Opposites Attract Hockey Romance (Chesterboro University Book 5) by Josie Blake

Author:Josie Blake [Blake, Josie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MJB Publications LLC
Published: 2022-08-24T16:00:00+00:00

Griff

Jake calls me on Tuesday morning to tell me that Pop’s awake. I head to the hospital to see him after my morning classes.

After I sign in, I make my way to the second floor. The nurse at the station tells me that he’s been moved to room two-twenty. I thank her and head to my father’s room. When I rap my knuckles on the door, he turns his head. His smile is lopsided, undoubtedly a result of his stroke. It makes him appear fragile, and I’m again struggling to reconcile the father I know—strong, fiery—with the man in front of me.

“Hey, Pop. How are you doing?”

“Almost back to fighting weight.” He shifts as if he’s going to sit up, and I hurry to his side.

“Don’t get up.” I squeeze his arm.

He falls back as if he’s exhausted from just that much effort. “Weak as a kitten. Damn shame.”

“A stroke and heart surgery might set back your training, Dad.”

He snorts. “Might.”

“I’m glad to see you awake.”

“For now.” He adjusts in the bed, wincing. “Not for long, I imagine.”

“I’ll keep this short.” I lean closer, resting my elbows on the side rail of his hospital bed. “We’ve been doing what we can to keep the gym up and running in your absence.”

“Of course, you have.” He huffs out. “Jake runs the place like a well-oiled machine.”

“Yeah. But that’s not the part that bothers me.” I narrow my eyes on him. “I went through the ledgers and financial papers in your office.” He looks away from me. “Is the gym in debt, Pop?”

“Griff…” He shakes his head.

“Dad.” I hold up a hand to stop whatever bullshit he’s about to hand me. “I need to know what’s going on.”

He exhales, meeting my gaze. “Things have been hard over the past few years. It’s no secret that I’m not as young as I used to be. The younger fighters… they don’t immediately think of me to train with. There are a lot of others they can work with, men who have newer methods. My individual training has all but dried up.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“What was I going to say?” He closes his eyes and shakes his head.

“Maybe ‘hey, boys, we’re having some financial troubles.’”

“That’s not your problem. The three of you are living your own lives.” He waves me off. “I considered having that realtor next door sell my place with that one.”

I gape at him, but he’s staring out the window.

“And I spoke with someone at First United Bank in town about a loan.”

“Do you have the paperwork somewhere?”

“It’s on my desk at the house. I planned to use the house as collateral.”

I scowl at him. “Dad, there’s no way to recover the money. As far as I can see, the gym is sinking.” I spent two entire afternoons going over the paperwork in my father’s office. I balanced the numbers. Every result leaves Parker’s Gym in the red.

“I figured it would buy me some time,” he hedges.

“Until what?” He exhales, glaring at me.

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