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)
I still can’t believe I’m talking to two famous romance authors. This is so damn crazy. Under normal circumstances, I would feel out of place among women like them, and yet, I feel so at ease right now.
A very large man trails behind Chloe. He’s so damn tall and muscular, and from one look at him, I can see Drake is a carbon copy of his father. Both of his parents have dark hair and features and those same crystal blue eyes. But it’s clear that Chloe takes after their mom, where Drake is one hundred percent like his dad.
Carter Donovan introduces himself to me, his hand extended to shake mine. He gives me a warm smile that reminds me so much of Drake, it’s scary. The similarities are apparent, and after reading Sydney’s dirty stories, I know Drake got the monster cock she speaks of in her books from him too. What a weird thought to have at this moment. But I can’t stop thinking about how much they are alike. And apparently, Drake also inherited his father’s love of hockey and skill as a goaltender.
“Don’t mind my beautiful wife,” he says, his voice so much like Drake’s my mouth hangs open in shock. “She’s a little over-the-top. Don’t let her scare you away.”
“No one’s scaring her away.” Sydney shoots her husband a knowing look, and his expression softens. “Drakey wouldn’t have asked Taylor to sit with us if he was afraid of me chasing her off.”
“Mom, don’t call him that around his girlfriend,” Chloe interjects. “You know how much he hates it.”
Drake has admitted he secretly loves his mom’s nickname for him because she gave it to him. He’s so close with his parents in ways I’ve never connected with mine. My dad wasn’t around a lot, and when he was, he didn’t understand how to deal with a girl. He always treated me like a boy or one of his subordinates. Mom was always kind and there when I needed her, but like me, she also followed my father’s rules.
“Thanks for letting us sit with you,” I say, tapping Bex’s chair.
Sydney’s gaze travels to the open seat. “Oh, I thought you were here alone.”
“I drove up with my friend, Bex. She’s my roommate. We also play on the same basketball team together.”
“We met Bex at Thanksgiving.”
I nod. “Yes, I believe so.”
“Another basketball player,” Sydney says. “Has Drake told you about his Aunt Charlotte? She played basketball in college, too. Now, she’s a sports agent.”
“I know of Coach,” I say, rubbing my gloved hands together. “She’s a legend.”
“She was my agent when I played hockey,” Carter says, his tone deep and firm. “She’ll be Drake’s agent, too, when he goes pro. If anyone will make him a star, it’s her.”
I smile at his words. Drake’s father is so confident he will take his career to the next level. Drake’s dream is to become a professional hockey player. It’s all he’s ever wanted to be.
For his sake, I hope that happens. Only a handful of players make it to the NHL. But I’m sure sharing the same last name with a Stanley Cup-winning goalie will help his chances when the Draft comes around.
Bex appears on my right. When she sees Drake’s family, she raises her hand to wave and says hello. She settles in the chair next to me, and Sydney leans over me to speak to her.
“We didn’t know you were coming,” Sydney says to Bex with a smile. “What a pleasant surprise.”
“I wasn’t planning to be here.” Bex chews on her bottom lip, a hint of hesitation in her demeanor. “But I figured why not? It’s my dad’s first year as head coach and Preston’s last season with the team.”
Not quite the reason she begged me to drive her to Boston, but, okay.
“So,” Sydney says, tapping her long manicured nails on the armrest between us. “Drake mentioned you read my books… and Chloe’s, too.”
Heat burns my cheeks. Why am I embarrassed? She’s the one who writes those dirty stories. I’m only the person who reads them.
“Yes,” I admit. “I’ve read a lot of your books and the series you cowrite with Chloe.”
“Can I tell you a secret?” She leans in close enough for me to feel her breath on my earlobe. “I only wrote under my legal name to piss off my father. He hates my profession. But you know what, I love it. Writing sexy books makes me happy. It’s also kept my love life pretty… shall we say, interesting.”
“Mom,” Chloe snaps. “You don’t know how to whisper. We can hear every word over here. Please save everyone from hearing another disgusting story about you and Dad.”
Sydney tilts her head back and laughs. “I don’t tell disgusting stories. I save those for when we write books together.” She clamps her hand down on her daughter’s knee and laughs again.