Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 121734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
I shrugged and took the water offered to me. “Shelly snapped for a second. He’s a hothead.”
Sunny laughed beside me. “He thought Griff had a personal vendetta. Guess he’s not used to dealing with that many shots.”
Coach grunted, hitting my shoulder again with his clipboard. “You got us ahead four to one. Keep the lead and I don’t care if you have a personal vendetta. We need those points. You hear me?”
“Yeah, Griff.” Jesse laughed, reaching for the water. “You already got a hat trick, and we’re not even to the end of the second period. Maybe let the rest of us try to catch up and get us those points for playoffs?”
I grinned. “Get ready for some fast passes.”
He held up his glove, and I met it with mine as he said, “Bet.”
When we got back on the ice, I gave him a fast pass between my skates, and Ray was ready, like he’d said he would be.
Right after his goal, he pounded my shoulder pads. “That’s our thing from now on, man.” He held up his gloved hands, and as I hit them with mine, he added, “Bet.”
Fucking hell. Okay then. “Bet,” I agreed.
Guess it was our thing.
I had more aggression to work out, so for the next period, I worked on passing. Ray got one more goal. So did Sunny, who realized what I was doing and began to try to out-pass me. I had to admit, by the end of the game, most of my aggression was gone.
We won seven to two.
The locker room was elated, except for Bruge.
“How’s it going with your new team?” Shetland asked later that evening. “Obviously something’s working judging by that score tonight.”
I told him the same as I’d mentioned to Nolan.
Shelly tilted his head, giving me a considering look. “I know Bruge. He just takes time to warm up to people. The team’s already rallying around you. I could tell. If you guys don’t get to playoffs, I’ll be shocked.”
“Maybe.” It felt good to hear that, especially from a friend who was on a different team. I wanted to make sure I was doing my job, that the reason they agreed to take me on was being fulfilled. I was here for my family, but my career couldn’t falter either.
“Was that what got into you tonight? About the team?”
I was still learning the ins and outs of being back in town, so Ray had suggested this place for a private drink. It was just down the block from where their team was staying.
I started to shrug off his question but stopped myself. He and I had done Juniors together. I couldn’t do that to a friend. My phone had been blowing up all night. Nolan had called once and left a text for me to call him. I was sure he was going to ask the same question.
“It’s my family.” I leaned back in the booth and raked a hand over my face. “That shit that came out this last weekend. Saturday, my head was a mess. Skylar broke down again Monday when there was a new wave of media that decided the weekend news shouldn’t die down. Tonight, you got the brunt of it.”
Shelly frowned, leaning forward. “I’m sorry, man. I heard the news. Everyone did, but I didn’t realize it was still going on. How’s your niece doing?”
“They have her in a coma.”
“What?” His eyes widened.
“They’re going to try to bring her out tomorrow.”
He shook his head and swore under his breath.
My phone buzzed, and I glanced down.
Rain: Can we talk?
Jesus Christ. This woman. She ignored me all week, staying professional and polite and distant. She was good at her job. I could see it. But there was something odd on her face every time she looked at me and didn’t think anyone was watching—like an uncertainty. I didn’t know what that was about, and I didn’t have time for games either. But in a flash, I remembered her skating that night, how she felt in my arms, the sugar scent of her, and my cock was upright.
Tyler: You wanna fuck?
Rain: You can’t say that to me.
Tyler: Why not?
Rain: It’s unprofessional.
Tyler: I already had my tongue down your throat. We’re past that. Why do you want to talk?
Rain: It’s obvious something’s up with you from that game. I wanted to see if you needed anything.
Tyler: You know what I want from you. As far as I’m concerned, you’re not my psychologist.
Tyler: Look. Do you really want me to stop? I will.
I waited, but she didn’t respond to that. That told me enough.
Tyler: Noting your silence. Unless it’s got something to do with you and me getting in all sorts of magical positions, we can keep the business chitchat to business hours in the future. Eh?
Rain: Eh? You’re suddenly Canadian.