Pulling my keys from the engine, I slid out of my SUV and grabbed my bag from the back. Just as I was about to reach the doors to the rink, I heard a familiar voice.
“Coach Reaper! Coach Reaper!” Luca yelled.
I steeled myself, bracing for the sight of Sutton. The way her blond hair caught the sun or how her turquoise eyes flashed when she was giving me shit. Dinner on Saturday had been pure torture because all I’d wanted to do was look at her. But I’d known I couldn’t. Wasn’t about to give away my interest around my nosy family. That didn’t mean I didn’t steal glances—as many as I could get away with.
I turned, a jab of disappointment hitting me as I took in Luca and Thea walking toward me. That disappointment was quickly followed by concern. “Is Sutton okay?”
The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them, and I didn’t give a damn what they betrayed. I just needed to know she was all right.
Thea nodded quickly, but shadows darkened her features. “She’s fine. Just had a couple of appointments this morning. So, I got some quality time with my best guy here.”
I tried to force one of those carefree smiles I was known for. “Shep know he’ll never be number one in your heart?”
“He’s been informed,” Thea said with a soft laugh.
“Thee Thee will always love me best,” Luca said, swinging their hands between them.
“That’s because she’s smart,” I stage-whispered as I held open the door.
Luca giggled, dropping Thea’s hand and running inside towardhis friends. I held the door for Thea and quickly moved in behind her as she passed.
“What’s really going on?”
Thea jolted, her gaze jerking to me. “What do you mean?”
“Something’s wrong. You’re worried about Sutton.”
Thea muttered a curse. “She wouldn’t want me telling you.”
My gut tightened, a sick feeling sliding through me like an oil spill infecting ocean waters. “But you’re going to tell me anyway because maybe I can help.”
Thea shook her head, brown hair cascading around her face. “Not this time.”
“Thea,” I growled.
She looked at me for a long moment, her gaze sinking past the layers people normally stopped at. Finally, she sighed. “Sutton’s landlord is being a real dick. He tried raising the rent for the bakery and the apartment above twice in one year.”
“That’s illegal,” I ground out.
“Shep told Sutton as much, and when she pointed that out to the landlord, he told her she had to be out of the apartment in ten days.”
Anger coursed through me. Who the hell did that to someone? Especially a woman trying to raise a kid on her own. “Wait, they have to give thirty days’ notice.”
Thea shook her head again. “Sutton was renting week to week, so there aren’t the same protections.”
Week to week. Because she likely couldn’t afford more. A slew of curses flew through my head, but fast on their heels was worry. The number of tenancy options you’d find mid-month were slim and likely the worst of the worst. I didn’t want her and Luca dealing with that.
“What’s the landlord’s name?” I demanded.
Thea arched a brow. “There’s nothing you can do to stop it. He’s within his legal rights.”
“Thea,” I gritted out. “Tell me the bastard’s name.”
Her eyes flared in surprise. “Rick Anderson.”
I was going to find that piece of shit and ruin him.
11
