Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 58792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Drake finds his place among his friends in the stands, his eyes on me the entire time. Not once does he look away from me, and I play better because of it. Because I know that Drake will always be there to help me find my way. And I will always be there to do the same for him.
Chapter 17
Taylor
After the fight with Jackie and the tongue-lashing we got from Coach Vaughn after the game, I couldn’t wait to get out of town. I needed a vacation from Strickland University.
Drake had asked me to come to his game against Boston College. I promised I would come, and when Bex begged me to drive with her to see Preston play, I couldn’t say no to either of them.
I hate driving. It’s not something I did often when I lived in California. I don’t need a car in the city, though my dad insisted I have one for emergencies. So, we’re riding in the Honda Civic he bought me for my high school graduation. It’s a decent car that gets me from point A to B when necessary.
My driving skills are beyond rusty, which is clear by my shoddy driving, but Bex forced me to take the helm. She has a license but refuses to drive.
“You look like you will have a nervous breakdown.” Bex shifts in her seat and shoves her hand into the half-eaten bag of Cheetos. “Chill out, Tay.”
I shoot her a wicked look. “Are you serious, little miss I’m afraid to drive?”
She chuckles and then pops another cheesy snack into her mouth, speaking between bites. “It’s not that I’m afraid to drive. I just don’t like it. There’s a big difference.”
“I can pull over and let you take over if my driving bothers you.”
She waves her hand at me. “Nope, I’m good over here. I have my road snacks and plenty of soda to get me through the rest of the trip.”
A beat passes between us with nothing more than the dull hum of the radio filling the void. So, I take this as an opportunity to let her know what to expect once we arrive in Boston.
“We’re sitting with Drake’s parents and his sister. You okay with watching the game with them? I know how particular you are with your seating arrangements.”
Rolling her eyes, she snorts. “I don’t care where we sit as long as I get to watch Preston play.”
“He will be mad when he sees you.”
She holds up her hands, palms out, and shrugs. “He has to deal with it. I want to show Preston that Kellan is in my past, and that I’m ready to move forward with him. He’s so obsessed with what Kellan did to me. I made him promise not to seek revenge. But who knows if Preston will keep that promise. He does nothing he’s told.”
“I’m sure he’ll get at least a few good shots on him for you.” Clutching the wheel tight, my fingers hurt as I weave from the right to the left lane on the highway. “He’s so protective of you. And he’s a hockey player. They’re so aggressive and angry. Let him take some of it out on the boy who tried to ruin your life.”
She lets out an exaggerated sigh, her eyes on the cars passing us by out the window. “Yeah, I guess. I’m doing this for me more than anyone. I need to see Kellan one last time to prove to myself that I haven’t let him win. Watching Preston play is only a bonus.”
“That’s the spirit.” I tap my fingers on the steering wheel with a triumphant smile.
I’m happy for Bex. She’s lived for years in constant torment over Kellan’s betrayal of her trust back in high school. Like me, Bex had left her heart so guarded no one could ever get in.
I know firsthand how hard it is to allow a cocky player into my life. Men like Drake and Preston aren’t what most would consider boyfriend material. And yet, they somehow have transformed their bad-boy ways. Maybe some men just need a strong woman to tame them.
The next afternoon, I stroll into the freezing-ass cold rink with Bex wrapped in several layers of clothing to keep warm. We find our seats behind the Strickland Senators bench. I expect to see Drake’s parents and his sister waiting for us, but their seats remain vacant. Bex had insisted we come for practice. So, I guess Drake’s family isn’t control freak weirdos like my bestie and will show up on time for the game—like normal people.
“It’s as cold as a witch’s tit in this place,” I mutter between the chattering of my teeth. A shiver rolls down my spine, the cold leeching into my skin. Zipping my North Face jacket, I shudder again, a chill running through me. “How can you be so comfortable in here?”