Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
“Every single time,” Zane says, shaking his head, “they need to stop playing other people’s hockey and play their own.”
“It’s hard for you to sit back and tell them this and for them to listen,” my father says, “but how hard is it to sit there and watch them fuck up?”
“There are no words. I get more heated than anyone because I know they are better than that.” He and Jaxon share a look.
“I will say,” Jaxon now starts, “in all of my coaches that I’ve had, he’s the only one who makes sure that the guys are okay mentally. Forget that he himself is getting railed in the press.” My eyes go to Zane and all he does is look down. “He makes sure that the guys are okay.”
“There are not many coaches like that in the league,” Nico says. “You’ll get through this rough patch.”
“Rough patch.” Zane laughs. ‘If only it was a rough patch and not that I’m driving on a gravel road with no tires.”
I push away from the table now and start clearing the plates. The guys leave the table as I walk over to the fridge to fill up my glass with water before turning and smacking straight into Zane. The glass of water spills all over the both of us. He hisses out, his hands going to both my arms to stop me from tumbling farther on him.
“Nice,” Jaxon says, shaking his head, “and you wonder why I’m the favorite of the bunch.”
“Shut up,” I snap, stepping back from Zane and seeing the front of his shirt soaking wet. “I’m so sorry.”
“Not your fault,” he mumbles as Ariella comes over and hands him a cloth.
“That isn’t going to help,” Jaxon notes. “I’ll go and get you a shirt.” He starts to walk away.
“Well, she needs to change.” Ariella points to me as I see my shirt is drenched too. “Go and get one of my shirts, and you can give him one of Jaxon’s.”
“Um,” I start to say, “I’m fine.”
“You’re soaking wet.” My mother laughs. “Go and change.”
“Be careful,” Zane warns, putting his hand on my elbow, “the water is all over the floor.”
“I’m fine,” I mumble and want to shake his hand off me, but all eyes are on us and the last thing I need to do is explain to the crowd what is going on.
“Let’s get you a new shirt.” I push aside the nerves and the lump in my throat as I step around the puddle of water. His hand drops from my elbow as I walk ahead of him. “This way,” I direct, heading up the stairs and away from everyone, just the two of us.
He follows one step behind me as I walk to Jaxon’s walk-in closet and open his drawers to find a T-shirt. “Is a T-shirt fine or would you like something else?”
“A T-shirt is fine,” he answers softly as I grab one and walk over to hand it to him instead of throwing it at his face. “Here you go.”
I hold out the shirt for him as a pit grows in my stomach. “Thank you,” he says softly, my eyes looking down at his hands gripping the shirt.
“I’m sorry.” I look up at him, both of us still holding onto the shirt. “I didn’t see you.” The tension in the closet is enough to suffocate me.
“You’re so beautiful.” The words I think shock even him. My heart feels like it’s about to come out of my chest. “I—” he says as he steps closer to me, “I miss you.” I look down, shaking my head, not wanting to hear the words. “I…” The hand he is holding the T-shirt with comes up as he touches my face. “So fucking beautiful.” His eyes shine in a way I’ve never seen before.
“I can’t do this with you, Zane. I know that I said I was okay with whatever but after getting to know you, I’m not. Unless you are ready to claim me and be with me, you need to let me go,” I state, hoping like fuck he says something that will make me drop the fucking shirt and touch him.
“Victoria.” He’s said my name before in a variety of ways, but this time he sounds broken. His fingertips move over my cheek as his head bends, and I can feel the kiss coming. I know I should push him away, but the pull to him is stronger than I am.
“Zane,” I whisper his name right before I feel his lips about to touch mine.
“I’ll get Jagger his jacket.” I hear my mother’s voice from down the hall and Zane quickly steps away from me, giving me my answer.
I shake my head. “I’ll let you change in here,” I tell him, walking out of the closet, grabbing the first shirt I see of Ariella’s and walking out of the bedroom.