Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Nix cuts the feed. The sudden absence of Elly’s voice accentuates the buzzing silence in the room, the tension, the feeling like everyone is waiting for me to throw something or storm out of the room, but…
“She wasn’t talking about some anonymous celebrity,” Blue pipes up, nailing exactly what my spinning head hasn’t fully gotten around to processing. “She was talking about you. The real you.”
“He’s right,” Nix agrees. “I mean, I wouldn’t be sad to find out my girl was saying those kinds of things about me before we met. It’s actually kind of nice.”
“Me, either,” Torrance says, lifting his hands in surrender as I shoot another glare his way. “What? Why does Nix get to talk, and I don’t?”
“You’re a fetus,” Jean-Louis says with a sniff. “You know nothing about love.” He nods Nix’s way. “But he does.” He shifts his attention to my corner of the room. “And so does Grammercy.”
Before I can respond, Merwood is in the doorway, “Five minutes until third period! Have you hydrated? Why are half of you in wet gloves?”
We all launch into motion, hurrying to get ready for the final period, but even after we’re back on the ice, a part of me is still in the locker room, wondering if Jean-Louis is right.
Do I know about love?
When Elly and I haven’t even been brave enough to say the words yet?
When she’s been keeping secrets from me?
When I’ve been keeping secrets from her?
If anyone’s the stalker, it’s me. I’m the one who saw a pretty stranger on the street and decided I had to meet her. At least Elly knew something about me aside from the fact that she liked the way I looked. I was just horny for a gorgeous face and a stunning pair of legs.
I feel like shit, and I play like it, too.
With ten minutes left, the puck bounces right to me in the slot. Their goalie’s down and sliding the wrong way. The net’s wide open, practically begging for me to score. All I have to do is lift it six inches.
Instead, I hit the post.
The Voodoo fans who traveled to North Carolina to watch the game groan in the stands, hardening the knot of shame forming in my gut. I’m letting them down. I’m letting everyone down, including myself.
What the fuck have I been thinking? That it was fine to keep playing house with Elly, without actually being honest with her? Completely honest?
We win 4-2, but it feels hollow, fake.
In the locker room, the rest of the team gives me a wide berth as they celebrate, making plans to grab a late dinner or drinks near the hotel. I take my time in the shower, ensuring the room is nearly empty by the time I emerge.
It’s just Parker and Blue waiting for me as I sag bag onto the bench.
“So, what’s up? You think this is the end?” Parker asks.
I shake my head. “No. No way, I just…” I drag a hand through my damp hair. “I don’t know what to think right now. It feels complicated all of a sudden.”
“It’s always been complicated,” Parker counters. “I mean, you married a woman you barely know.”
“He knows her,” Blue says softly. “And she knows him.”
“He’s right,” I whisper. “That’s how it is with us. It feels like I’ve always known Elly. Like I’ve just been waiting for her, if that makes any sense. I know it doesn’t, but…”
“No, it does,” Parker says. “I mean, if you’re a romantic with a sappy streak a mile wide, it does. Which, you are.”
I reward the attempt at a joke with a twitch of my lips.
“And you two seem happy together,” he adds.
“We are,” I whisper, hating that it feels like a lie.
It’s not a lie, but…is it really the truth, either? When we’ve both been keeping big secrets?
“Talk to her,” Blue says. “Not tonight or on the phone. In person.”
I nod. “We made plans for brunch at home tomorrow while Mimi’s at school. Elly’s been wanting to talk to me about something anyway, so…” I shake my head, suddenly feeling like a complete idiot. “Probably about this! Fuck, I’m so stupid.”
“You’re not,” Blue says. “You have a lot going on. Learning to be a husband and a father and the leader of a new team is a lot for one man.”
“Yeah,” Parker agrees. “Give yourself some grace, man. And don’t end it with Elly. She’s my only in with Makena. I need you to throw a ‘Yay, we’re staying married’ party and invite both of us. Then, I’ll show up, looking fine as hell and super kissable, and Makena will have no choice but to make out with me after and fall hard for me and be my sex queen.”
Blue grunts.
“What?” Parker asks. “It’s a solid plan.”
“This isn’t about you,” Blue says.