Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
But with Steph’s arm around me and Mr. Sniffles snorting happily between us— putting his tongue to use on my neck with an enthusiasm that has Steph giggling again—I suddenly think maybe I might be able to make something like that happen.
A family. A future.
A home, with this incredible woman who finally makes me feel like I belong.
I’m pretty sure I’m about to say something sappy as fuck, when my phone buzzes in my back pocket.
Then buzzes again. And again.
Steph arches a brow. “Should you answer that?”
“Sorry, maybe,” I mutter, tugging my cell out to see Stone’s name on the screen. “It’s Stone, but I can talk to him later.”
She waves a hand before snuggling Mr. Sniffles closer. “No, get it. And tell him hi from me.”
“What’s up?” I ask, bringing the phone to my ear. “Steph says hi by the way.”
Stone doesn’t bother with any pleasantries. “Dude, we need to meet tonight. It can’t wait ‘til Wednesday. Sorry for interrupting, but this shit is serious and seriously dumb and has to stop. Now.”
“Okay. Where do you want to meet?” I ask, meeting Steph’s gaze. “I’m staying at Stephanie’s tonight. There are a couple pubs not far from her place. Donovan’s and…”
“Pickwicks,” she supplies in a whisper.
“Pickwicks,” I tell Stone, with a grateful smile her way.
“Yeah, I know Pickwicks,” he says. “That’s not far from my place. I’ll meet you there in say…an hour? Oh, and Cruise is coming, too. He’s pissed and wants to nip this thing in the bud before it’s too late.”
I exhale, my jaw working, torn between relief and worry about what he’s found out since we left camp today. “All right, thanks, man. I’ll see you there.” At the last minute, I add, “Oh, and can Steph come along? If she wants?”
“Of course,” Stone says, without missing a beat. “She’s smarter than all three of us put together. And way more level-headed. See you both soon.”
I end the call to find Stephanie already crossing the room toward the lobby.
I turn, meeting her gaze with a questioning one of my own.
“Well, come on. Hurry,” she says, a smile curving her lips. “We need to hustle if I’m going to have time to shower and change before we hit Pickwicks. I’ll drive with Mr. Sniffles, and we’ll meet you at my place?”
Relief spreads through my chest. “Yes, ma’am.”
And somehow, just like that, the weight I’ve been carrying all day feels lighter. I may be facing an uphill battle right now, but I’m not facing it alone.
Not anymore.
CHAPTER 15
STEPHANIE
It’s an odd feeling, walking into Pickwick’s with Tank, knowing I’m about to join a behind the scenes pro-hockey strategy session. It’s like I’ve been granted access to some exclusive, testosterone-filled clubhouse where the secret handshake involves grunting and talk about ice time.
Though to be fair, Tank doesn’t grunt nearly as much as he used to.
And when he does, I kind of love it.
Just like I love him.
And he loves me!
I’m still buzzing from our talk back at the studio—the rush of knowing we’re on the same page and crazy about each other hanging between us like a golden thread I’m determined never to break. It’s ridiculous how quickly this big, grumpy man has woven himself into the fabric of my life, but here we are.
And even with everything he’s worked so hard for suddenly on the line, he still made sure I knew where I stood with him.
That I matter. That we matter.
And that he loves me…
The thought has me grinning like nobody’s business as we head into the pub. Inside, its warm, cozy, and smells pleasantly of yummy fried food and beer—a welcome contrast to the chill in the evening air outside. It’s still technically summer, but tonight you can feel a hint of autumn creeping in, a subtle crispness that makes me glad I grabbed my light cardigan before we left.
Tank’s hand rests protectively at the small of my back as we navigate through the crowd, making our way through the crush of people toward the back, where Stone and Cruise, the ridiculously cute Badger team prankster, who’s grown into a real leader in the past few years, are already seated in a booth.
Stone spots us first and lifts an arm. “Hey, over here. We ordered a pitcher and a shit ton of food is on the way. Strategy meetings make me hungry.”
“Same.” Cruise stands, leaning across the table to offer me a one-armed hug. “Hey, Steph. Glad you’re here. Libby wanted to come, but we couldn’t find a sitter for our menace to society at the last minute.”
“Bummer, but tell her hi for me,” I say as we settle into our seats. “And give The Menace a squeeze. He’s the cutest agent of chaos I know.”
“I will,” Justin says, grinning. He adores his nearly one-year-old with a devotion that’s absolutely precious. “He is chaotic, but my genes are totally to blame for that, so can’t really complain. My wife is a saint to put up with the two of us.”