Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 80102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Fruit picking, tractor rides, and homemade delicacies sold on-site.
We wouldn’t be the only farm in Vermont to offer those things, but, like we keep telling Dad, we need avenues of income other than dairy if we want the farm to be sustainable.
The sun’s early morning light dances over the acres of land that was once crops a long time ago.
Campbell pulls Roxy to a stop, and Arlo and I join him.
“So what’s the real reason we’re out here?” I ask.
My brother looks out at the expansive meadows. “We got the approval to build out here.”
My eyes widen. “Really?”
Campbell nods. “It’s happening. As soon as the guys are done with your house, they’re getting started on the farm stand and greenhouses. You ready for it all?”
“So ready.”
“Come graduation, it’ll be balls-to-the-wall busy.”
I breathe in the cold Vermont air. “I have to wait until May before I can really start thinking about it. I’ve still got the playoffs to get through, finals, graduation …” Rainn. I stop myself from saying that last one aloud.
My phone burns in my pocket, and I’m tempted to take it out to see if he’s woken up yet or texted or …
Deep breaths, Whit. Play it cool.
“About that,” Campbell says.
“About what? My crazy-ass schedule?”
“Yeah, that. You’re going to have to add watch your brother get married next month.”
“Next month?” I shriek.
Campbell’s whole face glows. “We were looking at summer for the wedding, but there might be a little issue with Christie being able to fit into her dress.”
“Holy shit, really? Really, really?”
“While I’m at it, I’m going to have to ask for time off in early fall, but the good news is, the next farmhand is coming into the world.”
“I suggest waiting until your baby is at least three before putting them to work.”
Campbell smiles. “Already spoiling your niece or nephew.”
It’s all falling into place.
“Ready to head back and get to actual work?”
I stare out at our future. “Five more minutes.”
With superhuman strength I didn’t know I possessed, I make it through morning chores before I check my phone.
My heart skips a beat at the simple message. See you this weekend.
17
Rainn
I so shouldn’t be here.
I definitely shouldn’t have asked for the night off from the bar so I could go see Whit at his away game against CU at the campus in Colchester.
This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment thing, either. I had to plan shit.
Me. Plan.
Hell, I even borrowed a car for this. When I’d asked my cousin to borrow her tiny-ass Fiat 500 to go to a hockey game, she’d looked at me weird but didn’t ask too many questions.
It’s not that I don’t think Whit is worth it, but I am wondering how he’ll take it.
Whit knows how I feel about hockey, so he might consider my attendance tonight as a more-than-friends gesture—maybe even a boyfriend gesture. And, damn, I need to figure out how I feel about that label, before I let Whit see me here tonight.
It’s been so long since I’ve been to any hockey game, but the atmosphere feels more amped than usual. The buzz in my veins and the heavy thumping of my heart is something I typically got when I was on the ice and not just watching it.
I chose to come to his away game because I’m not sure I could face one at my old stomping grounds. Honestly, even being here at a different school is bringing back enough memories to bring me down, but I remind myself I’m here for Whit.
The teams are announced, and as they enter the arena, my gaze immediately seeks the name WHITAKER on the back of one of the green-and-white jerseys.
Like at his practice the other night, his skating is flawless and so smooth, and that’s just during the warm-up skate. When the game picks up, he’s rotated in often. He’s not first line, but he should be. He has so much fucking talent, and I can’t take my eyes off him.
The game is tight, but it’s a high-scoring matchup. Both offenses are on point, and while the D-men on each side are fighting to stop them, bullets keep getting fired at the nets. No matter the outcome tonight, the goalies will end up drinking together by the end of it. They’re both getting hammered out there.
Whit hits the ice for another shift, and I cup my mouth and let out a loud whoop! Pride and awe fill my veins as I watch him move on the ice. There’s no doubt I miss playing this game, but watching Whit is giving me little pieces of my old life back. He’s on absolute fire and sinks two goals by the time the final buzzer sounds.
I leave with the mass of people making their way outside and then find myself hovering by the back doors where the team will exit because I have to tell him how amazing that was to watch.