Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45274 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45274 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
“I didn’t get a name, but I got an address. A holding company owns it.”
“I don’t get it. A company owns the blog?”
Jamie shrugs. “I’m not sure yet. I have to check it out.”
“You need to get some sleep first. Dude, you look like shit. And maybe get a shower, too.” I wave my hand at the space between us. “You don’t smell so hot either.”
He laughs. “I’ve been working on this all day and night. I didn’t exactly have time for a shower.” Jamie leans forward, tugging at the ends of his hair as he rests his elbows on his thighs. “I finally found her.”
“What’s your deal with this girl?”
“I know her code. It’s beautiful. She’s a real architect. It feels familiar but brand new.”
“That stuff is over my head,” I admit.
“It’s like being an artist and appreciating the painter for each swipe of their brush. She’s a genius.”
“Sounds like you’re in love with her.”
“For all I know, she’s a man hiding behind a screen name.”
“She’s a woman,” Sam says, realizing she made a mistake. “Or so I heard.”
I told Jamie the e-mail address came from someone on campus. He didn’t push too hard when I told him I couldn’t give away my source. All he cared about was meeting his match. He’s so obsessed with The Queen that his relationship with Shannon ends. Maybe once he discovers the truth, he will go back to Shannon and grovel for a second chance.
“I hope so,” Jamie mutters.
Poor guy.
“Okay, now get out,” I joke.
Jamie nods. “I have to go find my girl.”
“Shower,” I remind him. “Girls don’t like guys who smell like barn animals.”
“Dick.” He laughs and then bends down to punch me in the arm. “Thanks for the tip, Tuck.”
“Anytime.” I wave him off. “Now, go.”
After Jamie closes the door, I’m all over Sam, exploring every inch of her. She molds her body to mine, hooking her leg around mine. I roll her onto her back, making room for myself between her legs.
“Tucker,” she groans as I thrust inside her.
I lean forward and rest my forehead against hers, taking my time as I slide in and out of her.
“I love you,” I confess, and she says it back, digging her nails into my shoulder.
Everything in my life is falling into place.
Sam.
The Frozen Four.
The identity of The Queen.
Soon, the NHL.
And all of it started with the girl of my dreams.
Chapter 28
Sam
Three months later…
We’re in Vancouver for the NHL Draft. My nerves are uncontainable, though I try to hide it from Tucker. He pretends he’s calm and confident, but I know he’s terrified. So, I put on my game face for him.
Sitting between Tucker and his mom, I hold their hands, praying he’s selected. Kennedy is biting her cheek, her fear shaking through me, so I squeeze her hand tighter. His dad looks worried, not just for Tucker but also for Trent. They were both eligible for the draft.
Digging his elbows into his thighs, Tucker leans forward. He sucks in a deep breath and then turns to me, giving me a quick wink and a playful smile. I return the gesture, and his attention returns to the stage where the next draft pick is announced.
I want to puke. My stomach is in knots. I don’t know how Tucker can stay calm when I want to jump out of my skin. They call Trent’s name in the first round, and our entire row lets out the breath of air we were holding. We rise to our feet, clapping and congratulating Trent. Tucker hugs Trent and whispers something into his ear, slapping him on the back.
Three more picks come and go, and I’m sweating through my clothes. I know Tucker well enough to see the worry on his face. He slacked off for most of his senior year and even lost some playing time over it.
But he learned his lesson.
He deserves to be here.
When they announce the tenth pick, my heart slams into my chest. We shoot up from our chairs, and I don’t even realize I’m screaming.
Tears fall from my eyes as I hug Tucker. “You did it, Tuck. I’m so proud of you.”
Tucker smiles and then plants a kiss on my cheek. He looks like he’s trying not to cry, so I do it for him.
I point at the stage where a man holds a red and blue New York Rangers jersey and hat. “You better get up there before they take it back.”
He laughs and then hugs his mom before heading toward the stage. His mom cries louder when Tucker fixes the hat on his head. I love him so much that my heart beats faster when he looks in my direction. A wave of emotions rushes through my body, pride being the most prominent.
Four months after the draft, I’m sitting in a luxury box next to Jemma, who has two newborn babies sleeping in the stroller in front of her. Thea and Teddy are the most adorable twins, the perfect combination of Trent and Jemma. The twins have Jemma’s red hair and Trent’s clear blue eyes.