Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 86422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Apart from the beginning of the year, when the temperatures still allowed skin exposure and shorts were a reasonable choice, Fee is usually dressed in jeans and hoodies, or paint-splattered overalls and T-shirts. She’s typically fresh-faced, but tonight her eyes are dramatic, lashes dark with mascara, making the blue pop.
“You clean up nice, too.” She pats me on the chest. “But then you already knew that.”
“I like hearing it from you, though.” I wink.
“Who turned on your turbo flirt button?”
“Must’ve been you.” I hold out my arm. “Ready?”
She threads hers through mine. “Let’s do this.”
The hockey gala is a big deal, with a fully catered, plated meal, drinks for those who are legal, and dancing—which I’m actually looking forward to. The whole team attends, and sometimes former graduates will speak or give out awards. Representatives and scouts from the pros attend, too. I’m excited but nervous. Last year my stats were stronger, and I felt more confident about my future in the sport.
“Cammie and Chase are over there.” Fee points a pink, intentionally painted nail across the room, then resettles her hand on my forearm.
Last year I brought a girl I’d only been out with once before. She got wasted at dinner and kept trying to feel me up. It wasn’t my favorite and I’m glad I can avoid a repeat.
Cammie and Chase are with Gage and Brody. Gage asked some random girl he hung out with last week, and Brody caved and took a girl who asked him at the last minute because he couldn’t summon the nerve to ask the person he wanted.
“Fifi!” Cammie rushes over and throws her arms around Fee’s waist. Cammie is pint-sized, and Fee is a head taller in heels.
“I love this dress so much,” Fee tells Cammie, who is wearing Tilton U burgundy, her shoulder-length hair pulled into an updo.
Gage and Brody introduce their dates.
“Fee, hot pink is your color,” Gage makes an A-okay with his fingers. “You’re turning heads tonight.”
“Shut your face-hole unless you want gaps in your smile,” I snap.
“Whoa.” Gage raises his hands. “It was just an observation.”
“And not an inaccurate one,” Cammie adds with a grin.
“Down boy.” Fee pats my chest and smiles sweetly up at me. “Why don’t you grab me something to drink?”
“Whatever you need, sweetheart.” I cover her hand with mine and kiss the back of it. “Any special requests?”
She arches a brow. “You know what I like.”
“I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll be right here.”
The guys and I head for the bar.
“Hitting the territorial boyfriend button a little hard tonight,” Gage observes.
“For a fake-dating situation, you seem pretty into her,” Brody needles.
“You spent like half an hour making popcorn the other night,” Chase notes.
“You were too busy sucking face with Cammie to know how long it took for us to make popcorn,” I fire back.
“I believe that,” Brody replies dryly.
Chase opens his mouth but closes it a second later and shrugs. “Her fic update was hot and we’re into each other.”
“You don’t say.” I glance over at Fee, who’s chatting and laughing with the other girls, making Gage’s and Brody’s dates feel comfortable.
“Why didn’t you ask Enid?” I press Brody.
He side-eyes me. “She started seeing some guy. Besides, that ship sailed back in high school.”
“Has it really though?” I ask.
“She’s got a boyfriend, that answers that question,” Brody mutters.
The bartender stops to take our order, letting Brody off the hook.
Once we have drinks, I introduce Fee to some of my teammates that she hasn’t met before, and my coaches, who are already aware of her Terror affiliation. Fee rolls with it when they ask her questions about her sister.
“Are you a hockey player, too?” Coach Murdock asks.
Fee laughs and threads her arm through mine. “I’m a fan from the other side of the Plexiglas. I grew up watching and cheering for the people I love, who adore the sport like Mac.”
“Fee’s been surrounded by hockey her entire life,” I add. “She really understands the game and the demands.” Our coaches often talk about the pressure of a relationship on top of hockey and courses.
“I know how hard these guys work on and off the ice. It helps when the team really gels, and these guys really show up for each other.” Fee smiles up at me.
“They’re great players, and they know how to work as a team,” Coach replies, chest puffed up with pride.
“That’s so important, isn’t it?” Fee agrees.
“It really is key to a successful team. Look at how well the Terror are doing this season,” Coach says.
“They spend time with each other off the ice, too, just like Mac and his friends,” Fee squeezes my arm.
The conversation with my coaches seems effortless. But she’s surrounded by hockey fanatics wherever she goes, and this event is full of them. I seriously owe her a night out doing her favorite thing after this.