Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
While Emory welcomed me in happily this morning—I’m sure having nothing to do with the fact I was bearing croissants and donuts—I don’t think she’ll be as accommodating to Shane just dropping by.
I drive to the arena in a mood that’s hard to describe. I feel like I’m walking on air or something, and I imagine it’s a combination of things. I always get pumped up before a game, but that’s pure adrenaline-fueled competitiveness that lights me up. There’s something softer though surrounding that hyped-up feeling, and I’d almost say it’s like a balm.
Maybe a knowledge that my life has become richer, that I have someone by my side who cares for me in a way I’ve not been cared for before, and even a bit of hope within me that things will just continue to get better.
As I enter the locker room to get dressed for our morning skate, I keep all of that to myself. If I start mooning over Emory the way Kane does over his wedding plans, I’ll never hear the end of it from the guys, even those who have each fallen hopelessly in love lately.
CHAPTER 22
Emory
“I can’t fucking stand this,” I mutter as I lean against the kitchen sink, chewing at my thumbnail nervously. My eyes are pinned on Felicity, kneeling on the couch, her belly pressed against the back and her hands holding back the curtains as she stares expectantly out the window for her father—I glance down at my watch—who is now officially twenty minutes late.
“Call him again,” Jenna advises softly. She’s as worried as I am, pacing back and forth.
Nabbing the phone off the counter, I dial Shane’s number. It rings twice and goes straight to voice mail.
This is Shane. Leave a message.
“Shane,” I hiss into the phone so Felicity can’t hear me, partially turning my body toward the sink. “Where in the hell are you? You’re late and now we’re all starting to get worried. Call me.”
I disconnect the call, glance over my shoulder to see my daughter still eagerly awaiting her father, and make a quick decision. My fingers fly over the screen of my smartphone as I pull up Safari and google the hotel Shane is staying at. Using the call link, I dial the number.
“The Orion,” I young male answers the phone. “How may I help you?”
“Yes,” I say distractedly, because at that moment, Felicity’s head swivels and she looks back at me. Her expression is no longer excited but tinged with worry.
“Ma’am?” I hear and I jerk my eyes away.
“Yes, sorry,” I say into the phone, making my voice crisp and professional. “Can you please connect me to Shane Kelly’s room?”
“Just a minute,” the man replies, and I hear the tapping of fingers on a keyboard. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Kelly checked out this morning.”
“He… what?” I stammer.
“It appears he checked out this morning,” the man repeats.
My eyes snap to Jenna who’s watching me with raised eyebrows. I disconnect the call without a farewell to the helpful clerk, my body feeling slightly numb.
“He checked out of his hotel,” I whisper to her.
“Was he planning on it?” Jenna asks, cutting a glance at Felicity who is once again looking out the window.
“No,” I say harshly. “His parents had paid for it up through the end of the month.”
Because Shane’s parents do everything for him, especially once he became addicted to drugs. I blame them for a good chunk of his inability to stick to rehab because they were always enabling him. Letting him check out early and come home, paying for his rent, and a car because he couldn’t hold a job.
“Shit,” I curse low under my breath, and dial Shane again. When his voice mail message ends and I hear a beep, I’m so furious I can barely speak. “You goddamn motherfucker. Your daughter is here waiting for you to take her to a dance and you’re probably off with a needle stuck in your arm somewhere, aren’t you?”
My eyes fixate on Jenna, because I can’t bear to look at my daughter with her face nearly pressed to the window waiting for her dad. I take in a stuttering breath and let it out, not sure how much time I have left on the voice message. “Shane… we’re done with you. You couldn’t even make it a month since you got out of rehab before the lure of drugs was more important than your daughter. If you’re still in the Phoenix area, which I doubt, don’t bother coming back here. You’re officially not allowed to see Felicity.”
I jab the disconnect button viciously and tears well in my eyes. Jenna’s hand comes to my shoulder, lays there ever so softly. With the hand holding my phone, I turn it and wipe it over my eyes, dispelling any liquid before it can fall.