Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 53212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 266(@200wpm)___ 213(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 266(@200wpm)___ 213(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
“Well, hey there,” a familiar voice says from my side. “Small world.”
Holland’s smile is both edgy and surprised, and my heart gallops violently in my chest. We were literally just texting five freaking minutes ago, and now, he’s here. At one of my favorite places.
He looks just as surprised to see me as I am him, but still, an uneasiness that doesn’t even feel like my own washes over me until I’m shivering.
“Apparently,” I reply, forcing a smile.
“Listen, since we’re both—”
A rush of cold outside air hits me in the back so hard it’s as though the front door is right behind me. Holland is still talking as I turn around, but I don’t even hear him as my eyes land on Rook Slater without any effort at all. A dozen bodies fill the space by the entrance, and yet, his face stands out instantly.
It’s intense and unforgiving in ways I can’t fully comprehend as he stares at the man to my left.
Behind Rook, his brother Kane eases the mood with a friendly smile, grasping Rook’s shoulder and shaking it as if to loosen him. Rook’s laser focus finally breaks, and without hesitation, his eyes jump to me. His body moves, Kane seemingly prancing behind him in comparison to his stern steps, and I find myself bracing for impact.
Last night’s flat tire commune was intense; this looks primed to be worse. Keys dangle from Kane’s fingers, and when our eyes meet, he grins at me, which, thankfully, settles some of my nerves.
“Hey, Kylie,” he says easily, nudging Rook to the side so they can stand shoulder to shoulder, by and large ignoring the hockey adversary at my side. “Just the woman we were looking for.”
“Uh…hi.” I pause, glancing between Kane and Rook, as they confirm that their being here, as opposed to Holland, isn’t a coincidence at all. “Wait…what do you mean looking for?”
Rook’s gaze flicks to the keys in my hand before moving to my eyes and holding. I feel trapped there, and I’m surprisingly comfortable in the confinement. He should scare me much more than he does—logically, I know that—but intrinsically, I always feel…safe when he’s nearby.
“Your spare’s temporary,” he says. “Not quite full size. We need to switch it out with a standard wheel.”
“But my car is working fine. I drove it to work this morning without any issues.”
“I know,” he says. “But it’s temporary.”
“I can’t even tell the difference,” I say, glancing at Kane.
Kane laughs. “I like you, Kylie. It’s always nice for us men when we meet a woman where size truly doesn’t matter.”
I snort despite myself, and Rook hits him with a glare so lethal I’m surprised the whole establishment doesn’t quake.
“I know it’s not the most convenient when you just want to get your food and go home,” Kane adds. “But my tow’s out front. Will only take five minutes, tops.”
“Your tow?” I question. I know Kane is like the local Repo Man of Concordia, but I don’t understand why my car needs a tow when it’s running just fine.
“Just to be safe,” Kane reassures. “Wouldn’t want that tire falling off before we get it switched out.”
“My tire falling off?” I question, my eyes going wide in shock. “That’s a thing that can happen?’
“No,” Holland chimes in on a scoff at the same time Kane says, “Yes.”
“No one asked you for your opinion,” Rook snaps, but his eyes never leave my face. “Just let me get it switched out for you, Kylie. Otherwise, it’s going to drive me crazy, thinking something bad could happen.”
I look to Holland warily. His smile is tight, but his eyes are sharply focused on Rook, his posture locked in place. I can’t stop myself from glancing back at Rook, but I startle when I find his eyes are still on me.
I’ve seen the violent way these guys slam each other on the ice whenever they get a chance—the sin bin has yet to be empty during their games—but this beef between them feels meatier than some hockey grudge. In fact, it feels uncomfortably tied to me, and I can’t for the life of me figure out why.
“Uh…” I pause, my eyes still bouncing around the three guys like a ping-pong ball. I’m tired. And hungry. And my nerves are so fucking shot it’s not funny.
I don’t know what to do here to make the feelings go away. And I really, really need the feelings to go away.
“How about I just have one of my guys look at it for you, Kylie?” Holland offers. “You can get your food, and I can give you a lift home.”
Rook tenses, but Kane cuts in with a laugh. “Holland, bud, I think we can all agree that your guys don’t know their asshole from a screwdriver. Comparatively, Cal’s the best mechanic in Concordia. I say we let my brother handle it, yeah?”