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)
No matter how many times I sit with Bex at Drake’s games, I still can’t tolerate the cold weather. I prefer the sun on my face and the heat of Southern California.
“I’m used to it,” Bex confesses.
“I don’t think I could ever adapt to freezing my ass off. I prefer sunshine and margaritas by the pool.”
“That’s because you grew up in California.”
“Technically, I didn’t grow up there. It’s just where I’ve lived the longest. Cold weather isn’t my jam, babe. Even after spending the last four winters in Philly, I’m still not used to it.”
“You got your early acceptance letter to UC Berkeley. You’ll be back to warmer climates in no time.”
I frown at the thought of a single year of school without Bex to keep me company. “I’m gonna miss you next year.”
Her expression turns grim, her sadness mirroring mine. “I’ll miss you, too, Tay. But we have to grow up and become adults.”
“I am an adult,” I counter. “But not like a real adult. I just look like one.”
She tilts her head back and chuckles. “I don’t want things to change.”
“Me, either.” I tap her on the arm and nod toward the players as they skate onto the ice. “Maybe you’ll end up with Preston in whatever city selects him.”
She smiles, a dreamy look in her blue eyes. “Wouldn’t that be nice?”
I wiggle my eyebrows in a joking manner. “You could be a hockey wife. That would be fun.”
“I can’t follow him around from city to city. If I rely on a man for everything, I won’t have anything if he walks away. I’m not saying Preston will leave me, but anything can happen. I have to at least get my foot in the door at a sports management agency or do something sports related. Otherwise, my four years of college will be a complete waste.”
Before she finishes, I spot Preston skating toward us. He stops inches away from us, his gloved hand pressed to the Plexiglas. His lips part in shock, surprised to see Bex in the stands.
“You have a very hunky admirer waiting for you to notice him.” I point at the glass where Preston is standing.
Bex flashes a smile and waves with a cheeky expression on her face. Preston looks thrilled to see her. He tilts his head to the side, gesturing for her to meet him where the players exit the ice.
“I’ll be right back,” she says to me.
I sink into my chair and hug myself for warmth, burying my face in my scarf. Bex chats with Preston and her dad for a while, leaving me alone with my thoughts and a row of empty seats. My gaze falls to Drake. He’s so big he hulks over everyone on the ice. His body covers the net like a shield.
His teammates take practice shots on him, and as usual, Drake’s movements are flawless. For such a big guy, he has so much grace on the ice. He looks just as comfortable in a pair of skates as he does on his feet.
I’m busy fantasizing about Drake, too preoccupied with my dirty thoughts to notice I have company until they’re standing over me. I glance up to find a beautiful raven-haired woman with icy-blue eyes hovering above me. She’s gorgeous for someone her age, her skin without a single crease or wrinkle. I take a few seconds to recall how I know her. I’ve seen her picture dozens of times on the backs of her book covers.
“Mrs. Donovan, right?” I stand up to allow her to pass by to take the seat next to me.
She cups my shoulder with a firm grip and laughs. “Oh, honey, you must be Taylor. Call me Sydney. Mrs. Donovan makes me sound so old.”
Another stunning dark-haired woman is behind her, dressed in a white and very elegant winter coat, paired with red gloves and a hat to match the bright shade of her lipstick. Like her mother, I recognize her from her picture. Chloe Donovan is taller than I had expected. She’s eye level with me, with the lean build of a model. Her fitted designer jeans mold to her frame as if made for her.
“My mom hates when people call her Mrs. Donovan.” Chloe laughs, and it’s pretty and soft, just like her. “She’s so afraid of getting old that she does anything to pretend like she’s still in her twenties.”
“Age is nothing more than a state of mind,” Sydney says, flicking her long hair over her shoulder. “I can be whatever age I desire.”
She’s so polished in her expensive jeans and jacket, it’s the perfect combination of casual and classy. There’s a hint of refinement in her tone. Even the way she speaks sounds like money. Drake had mentioned his mother’s family to me over the last few months. His mom comes from a wealthy family. It shows in the way she carries herself. There’s an air of sophistication surrounding her.