Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 50801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
“Torrington?” I ask, knowing from my time spent with the Badgers that he’s one of the most organized of the group and would likely request such weekly meetings.
“Baylor?” Hadley asks before Elise can answer, and I arch an eyebrow at the way she says his name. “He's one of your clients? I didn't know that.”
Elise smiles questionably down at her. “That's the one,” she says. “I'm just grateful he didn't make me get up before dawn today to meet him in the gym for this meeting. Anyway, have fun celebrating love, I'll catch you girls later.” Elise nods to us, heading out of the cafe and likely toward Badger arena.
“Baylor is one of Nash’s best friends,” Reese says to Hadley. “How did you not know Elise was his agent?”
“I don't know everything about everybody's business,” she says with a shrug. “And just because Baylor and Nash hang out doesn't mean I'm invited. If Nash had his way, I'd be separate from all things hockey.” Something nervous flashes over her features, but she quickly shoves it away, hiding behind her coffee.
We finish up brunch talking about the prospects of the season, and how excited we are to travel with the team, Hadley falling quiet during those conversations. I'm more than glad that she’s graduated and has time to think about what she wants to do with her life, let alone have these wonderful brunches and outings with us too. She deserves it, and I can't wait to see what she decides in the upcoming months.
And by the time I've made it back to Paxton’s, figuring he’s still at practice when I find the house empty, my nerves are an excited yet sensitive mess.
After the pep talk with my girls, I know I need to tell Paxton how much I care about him. He deserves to know. I have to hope he'll respect my wishes of not wanting to set any hard dates or deadlines on our relationship. I'm hoping he’ll handle me with the care he always has when it comes to commitment.
Unable to relax with this nervous energy, I decide to do my best to clean up the house. Paxton already keeps a clean space, so there isn't much to do. I’m content to wander around, looking for little things here or there that need to be put up.
Finding a finished load of clothes in the dryer, I quickly get to folding and then head to Paxton’s room to put them up. The last things are a few of his boxer briefs, which I fold neatly and head to the top drawer of his dresser. I pull it open, moving some stray socks aside to put the small pile in—
I freeze.
I drop the pile into the drawer, my heart pounding, eyes wide as I stare at the velvet box nestled in the middle of his socks.
Ice shoots through my veins, my stomach dropping to the floor. My fingers instantly tremble as I reach for the box before I can stop myself.
It could be a random box, I silently assure myself despite my heart threatening to beat out of my chest. It could be completely random.
I know I shouldn't, but I pop the lid.
A gasp rips from my lips.
The diamond ring is vintage and beautiful and for a split second, I feel nothing but warmth and love picturing it on my finger. Picturing my last name being changed to Ritchford and living happily ever after.
Forever and ever and—
The ice is back, fear swallowing all the warm feelings I had seconds before.
A new future lays out in front of me, one where I'm in my mother's office, tears in my eyes as she walks me through a divorce. As unlikely as that future may be, I've seen it too many times, and it's enough to have me shaking.
I can't tear my eyes off the ring, can't shove that horrific future out of my mind, knowing that it would ruin us both. Not just heartbreak, but our friendship…our years and years of friendship would be pulverized if something like that happened.
I can’t do that to him. I can’t turn him into an empty, bitter person. He’s too good for that.
Doesn’t Paxton understand that?
Doesn’t he know me better than this? Why would he get a ring?
When was he going to pop the question? While we were watching true crime on the couch, or maybe celebrating a win after a game? And how would I be able to say no to him with the way I feel. I'd have to say yes, despite my fears.
This is unfair.
This is so unfair.
I hear the front door open, and it’s only a few moments before Paxton finds me in his bedroom, standing there with that velvet box still open in my hand, and tears rolling down my cheeks.
Paxton drops his gear bag, shock coloring his features.