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)
“You have Sunny getting an average of two points per game. That’s per game.” Coach shook his head. “He’s up fifty percent from the previous year. Because of that change and the way Griffin is matching him, you got Ray skating faster and with an edge I’ve never seen in him. I didn’t know it was there, because I’d never seen it before. And you’ve got Meester challenging shooters instead of holding back between the posts. A great goalie knows how to read shooters and adapt accordingly. His productivity is up thirty-three percent. I don’t give a fuck about your professionalism right now, because you’re getting results.”
A warmth washed over me. “Thank you, Coach.”
“It’s not ideal, you and a player, but Mal and I had a long conversation. He insisted you took the job before you knew about Griffin joining the team, and that you disclosed that there could be issues. He also made sure to emphasize that the team hired you, not the individual players, so that’s a loophole in your contract. With all that said, just keep it professional, both of you. Griffin’s never come to you in a patient role, has he?”
I scoffed. “Tyler? You’ve met him, right?”
“That’s what I thought. You can continue consulting with other players, but in that respect, you and Griffin should continue to steer clear of each other. If that’s how things go, then for now I’m fine with it. I’ll let the two of you decide if you want to disclose to the team.”
I managed a nod, and he dipped his head in goodbye before getting up to return to his seat.
I released a shaky breath, and my hands trembled a bit.
What is happening?
Could it actually be like this? This easy? I wasn’t sure, but Kashvi’s words came back to me. “Worry about that when there’s something to worry about.”
I opened my laptop and went back to my reports, though my stomach was still unsettled. I was skating on thin ice, and eventually the ice would break.
My phone buzzed a moment later.
Tyler: Was that Coach I saw talking to you?
Rain: I told him I resigned. He told me not to worry, except you’re no longer considered my patient.
Tyler: Ha. I knew I liked him.
Tyler: He’s a good coach. Fair. Not biased.
Rain: Seems so.
Tyler: I want to see you tonight.
Rain: I don’t think we should. We haven’t even had our own talk.
Tyler: I thought we did? Fuck everyone else.
I stifled a laugh.
Rain: Is this our talk then? Are we dating? Just having sex? If the article comes out, we’ll have to act as if we’re dating, but is that what you actually want? I meant everything I said. I am not worth this.
Tyler: Shut. Up.
Rain: Tyler…
Tyler: You and I can get into it later. Right now, we’re on a plane. Maybe you should let me make my own decisions?
Tyler: I’m a simple guy.
Tyler: If I want something, I just want it.
Tyler: I want you.
Tyler: I don’t see that going away. So we can use whatever word you want.
Tyler: I want to be the guy in your bed. I want to be the guy who gives you a ride somewhere.
Tyler: I want to hold your hand and get cuddles from you and I want your smile turned my way.
Tyler: And I don’t want to do that with anyone else.
“Damn, Griff. Are you writing a novel? Who are you texting?” I heard someone ask him from a few rows behind.
“Fuck off,” Tyler growled
A few guys laughed.
“Who’s the girl?”
“Or guy! He could be texting a guy.”
“Whoever it is, it’s your honey. Right? There’s no one in my life I’m texting a complete novel to unless it’s my someone. You got a someone, Griff?”
It got quiet. My phone buzzed just as Tyler said, “Yeah. I got a someone.”
“Good for you, man.”
I read his last text.
Tyler: I liked you, and then I thought I couldn’t like you, so I hated you. Except I didn’t actually hate you. I just wanted to hate you, and now I know for sure I don’t hate you at all. I like you. I don’t want to fight it anymore.
Tyler: So there.
Tyler: Also
Tyler: Will you be my someone?
My heart squeezed as fear, panic, and something else flooded me.
Falling. Fuck. I was still falling for him. I don’t think I had ever stopped.
Rain: You know my head is messed up when it comes to personal relationships. I believe I mentioned that.
Tyler: Baby, that’s the most shrink thing you could’ve said to me right now. FYI, I don’t care how messed up your head is. Talk to me when you’re questioning something, and I think we’ll be okay.
Fear still pulsed through me.
Tyler: Rain?
Rain: I have never been someone’s baby.
Tyler: You’re mine now.
A tear slid down my face.
Rain: Okay.
Tyler: Yeah? Is that what I think it is? We’re doing this?