Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113130 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113130 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
“Good day,” Ralph remembers, clapping his hand on my father’s shoulder, the two of them probably reminiscing about the play that got them to that moment.
“I’m going to go and get myself a water bottle.” I motion with my head toward the bar and Nico just nods his head before he goes to join my father and Ralph. Making my way through the crowd of people toward the bar, I stop when I get close and see Dylan Stone and Michael Horton with their heads together, talking about something. Cousins off the ice and teammates on the ice. They share this thing on the ice, on ice magic is what they used to jokingly call it, it’s so good to watch, even though I hate when it’s against us.
“Hey,” I greet with a chin up. They are a couple years older than I am and both of them still play for Dallas. Last year, Dylan’s contract was over, and instead of asking for what he deserved, he took the same amount of money as his previous one, just so he could stay in Dallas. He’s been one of the best players in the league for the longest time and it’s always fun to face off against him.
“Hey, number one,” Michael says, trying not to smirk at me and I roll my eyes.
“You guys had your time,” I goad, “let other people get their name up there.”
“You guys have a good team this year,” Dylan finally admits. “That D is tight, obviously, with you playing back, but the front end? You guys finally have your first and second line figured out.”
“Don’t forget the third line,” I remind him with pride in my voice, “it’s really a team effort at this point.”
“Yeah,” they both agree, “look forward to the next game.”
“I’ll try to go easy on you two,” I tease, putting my hands in my pockets and trying not to laugh in their faces. The matching glares they both give me has me bursting out laughing.
“See you two later.” I nod and continue making my way toward the bar, this time stopping when I see Ariella there with both of her hands on the bar as she orders a drink. “Hey,” I say when I get close enough, and she looks over at me and smiles.
“Hi,” she replies, turning and leaning on the bar with one hand. “Did you want something to drink?” she asks me and I nod my head. “What do you want? It’s on me.”
I put my elbow on the bar, leaning over. “It’s an open bar.”
“Yes, but me offering it to you is sort of saying I paid for it.”
“That isn’t how it works.” I try not to laugh at her.
“Wow, you aren’t the boss of how an open bar works, Jaxon.” She shakes her head. “Besides, it’s like a universal rule.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard about this rule,” I say to her, watching the way her face lights up when she smiles.
“Well, as long as I order the drink, it’s as if I’m buying you said drink.” She points at herself and then to me. “If you would come up to me and ask me what I want to drink, that would be like you are buying me the drink.”
“And this rule is universal?” I ask her to try to keep her talking to me, never realizing how funny she really is. Also realizing it’s been forever since I’ve really fucking laughed at something. Sure, I laugh and smile and shit, but it’s been a really fucking long time since I’ve belly laughed, and it feels good.
“Yes,” she answers me like she just told me the prize at the end of the rainbow is a pot of gold. Her head moves up and down while the bartender comes back with her drink. “Thank you so much,” she says to him with a smile as he places her glass of champagne on the little napkin he put down before the glass. “My friend is going to have a—” she starts, looking at me.
“A bottle of water,” I order and she sticks her tongue out at me and gives me a thumbs-down, her tongue coming out blowing a fart sound.
“Borrrinnnggg,” she sings the word, and I can’t help but literally laugh out loud.
“I’m not that big of a drinker,” I admit to her. “Besides, I’m in training.”
“You act like you’re training for the Olympics.” She rolls her eyes. “You guys are always in training.” She proceeds to groan. “I’ve eaten so much chicken and steak in my life, I feel like I’ve been in training also.”
“It’s good protein,” I try to defend the steak and chicken.
“Sometimes, you just need a greasy burger.” She winks at me and I don’t even know if she knows this is her flirting with me. She’s oblivious to it all. I mean, I don’t think she means to flirt with me. I think she’s just making small talk, but if it was any other guy here, they would one thousand percent think she was flirting with them. Which kind of pisses me off a little since she doesn’t realize she’s doing it. I’m going to have to take one for the team and keep this conversation going, making sure that she flirts with me and only me.