Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 53034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
He wanted to change the bar’s name to “Crushed”, but of course, our team attorneys ruined it for bullshit legal reasons. So it’s still called The Lucky Duck.
“Guess you’re hungry,” Talia quips after we order drinks.
“We take turns getting apps for everyone.”
“Are you tired? You played twenty-seven minutes.”
I shake my head. “That’s about my usual.”
“How’s your left shoulder?”
I furrow my brow, amused. She was paying very close attention to me tonight. I got boarded hard in the second period and my shoulder took the brunt of the impact.
“It’s good.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yep, I’ll rest it in Hawaii. What should I pack other than my Speedo?”
She considers. “I think ... that should cover it. Maybe some sunglasses?”
“I’d fucking love to show up at Macintire’s wedding in a Speedo.”
She rests her chin on her hand, her face turned toward me. “We’ve established why I have a voodoo doll collection of him, but what do you have against him?”
I bristle, remembering when that fucker was my teammate. “Too much to get into right now.”
We’re in a room with more than twenty people, but I don’t see anyone but her. I can’t fucking wait for our trip. I booked us both in first class, even though Turner had already bought her a ticket, because I wanted to sit next to her on the flights.
Our drinks arrive, and she takes a sip of her unsweetened tea. I’ve noticed she doesn’t drink alcohol when it’s an option since the night we met. Though I usually get a beer when we come here, I’m having water. I didn’t want her to be the only one not drinking alcohol.
“I want your thoughts on something,” she says.
“Bikini.”
“Bikini?” She furrows her brow. “Are we having the same conversation?”
“I figured you were going to ask if you should bring a bikini or a one-piece to Hawaii, and I was just weighing in.”
She laughs. “That bikini would need some powerful straps to keep my girls contained.”
“And is that a bad thing or a good thing?”
Biting her lip, she’s quiet for a few seconds. Then she says, “This is a test, isn’t it? I’m going to say it’s a good thing.”
It was a test to see if she was getting down on herself and needed to be hit with three compliments.
“Why is it a good thing?”
I’ve got a buzz, but it’s entirely from her. I want to grab her waist, pull her into my lap, and kiss her until she’s breathless.
She leans in, whispering the answer to me. “Because I happen to have great boobs.”
“I’ll drink to that.”
I pick up my red plastic cup and she grabs hers. We clink them together and both drink, alone in our own private bubble, despite the many people surrounding us.
Chapter Eleven
Talia
* * *
“Maybe alcohol will help,” Mara suggests. “It’s gotten me through some rough times.”
I sigh softly and sip my unsweet tea. “Trust me, I’d love to get so smashed I don’t even know I’m on an airplane in the morning, but then I’ll end up with the same crushing anxiety and a hangover, too.”
“There’s always meth.” She sips her glass of wine. “Unless you want to keep your teeth?”
She has a way of making my worries feel a little lighter. I’d planned to meet up with her, Suki, and Lainey for drinks tonight, but Suki had to cancel because Charlotte is sick.
“I’m fairly attached to my teeth,” I say lightly.
“Do you ever take gummies?” Lainey asks. “They really take the edge off.”
“I have a stash. What dosage makes you forget you’ve made the worst decision of your life?”
Mara smiles. “I love that you’re going. It’s savage as fuck. What’s something funny or embarrassing about your ex that only you know?”
“Let’s see ... he gets hemorrhoids from sitting on the toilet too long. And he liked being spanked during sex. I don’t know if he still does.”
Mara and Lainey get a good laugh out of that tidbit.
“Elaborate on the spanking,” Mara says.
“When he was drunk, it took five business days for him to come during sex. It was crazy. So when I couldn’t stand the thrusting and grunting any more, I’d spank his ass and call him a naughty boy and he’d immediately get off.”
Mara points at me, her eyes bright with amusement. “Every time you look at him on this trip, I want you to think about that. You’re being saved from a lifetime of spanking a narcissistic man-child.”
Lainey glances at her watch. “Sorry, guys. I have to go. We decided at the last minute to go to Columbus for a few days, and Bash wants to drive there tonight.” She stands up and gets her coat, which is hanging on the back of her chair. “Don’t leave us hanging, Talia. Keep us updated in the group text.”
I stand up and hug her. “Have a great break with your husband. Thanks for being such a good friend to me.”