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)
“Do you ever get Chase to do that at home?” I’m clearly being tongue in cheek.
“While naked and on top of me?”
A couple of girls glance over their shoulders at us. We ignore them.
“Daily, I’m sure,” I quip.
“At least once, if not more,” Cammie agrees and notes, “Mac is quite flexible.”
“Don’t start.”
“It’s just an observation.”
“I have eyes.”
She changes gears. “He’s been smoother the past few games.”
“He has been,” I agree.
“Maybe having a girlfriend is helping him focus.”
Annnnnd we’re back to the same hamster wheel. “Or maybe he’s been practicing.”
“Or maybe it’s both.”
“Or maybe it’s both,” I concede.
The more we’re together, the harder it gets to keep my feelings for him to myself, and I worry my showing up here will tip the scales.
Hopefully in the right direction.
CHAPTER 16
MAC
“Uh, dude.” Stiles nudges my arm as we skate to the bench.
“’Sup?” Practice this morning went well and my shots aren’t going wide or missing their target with the same frequency they were a few weeks ago.
“Your girlfriend’s here.” He tips his chin toward the seat behind the bench.
“Huh?”
“Fee and Cammie are here.”
Lovett is plastered against the Plexiglas separating us from the fans, which are primarily here to support Peterborough. A smattering of hyper-supportive parents are here too, based on their toques or scarves that stand out among the ocean of green, black and white. Sitting half a dozen rows back from the Tilton bench are Cammie and Fee.
I almost trip over the curb as I step into the player box and wave.
Fee smiles shyly and waves back. Then mouths, it was Cammie’s idea. I tap a glove over my chest, hoping she interprets it to mean I’m happy she’s here.
“Fee is really kicking ass as a girlfriend,” Steele mutters as I take my spot next to him on the bench.
I elbow him in the side. “Don’t.”
“I’m just saying, she came to your away games, man. That’s dedication to the cause.”
“She’s my friend.” It’s how she introduced me to her sister and Roman. And she hasn’t mentioned the kiss after the hockey gala. The way she disappeared into her apartment made me question whether I’d read the signs wrong.
“Yeah, but like, how many friends would you drive three hours to see play at an out-of-town hockey tournament? Like yeah, maybe if it was somewhere cool like Hull where the drinking age is eighteen and the poutine kicks ass, but we’re in fucking Peterborough man. The only exciting thing is the apple place on the way here.”
“She probably came to keep Cammie company.” I don’t want to get my hopes up that I haven’t permanently relegated myself to the friend zone with her.
“Yeah, I’m sure that’s it.” Steele shakes his head.
I don’t have time to fixate on Fee’s presence or what it means because I’m called to the ice. The first period Peterborough scores a goal, but we tie it up in the second, and Lovett scores another goal just before the buzzer goes off at the end of the period.
My skating and passing have been a lot cleaner, but I’d love an assist this game. I have an opportunity at the beginning of the third, but I get slammed into the boards before I can make it happen. Stiles nabs the rebound and passes to Steele, who waits until Stiles is in position before he passes it back and he flips it in the air and taps it over the goalie’s glove. I don’t get the assist I’d hoped for, but we win the game and I played clean.
We have a break before our next game, so we change and meet up with Cammie and Fee in the foyer. Cammie launches herself into Chase’s arms.
“Hey.” Fee smiles and waves.
“Hey. This is a nice surprise.”
Her uncertainty melts away. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I step forward to hug her, but she’s not prepared so her face ends up in my armpit for a second before she turns her head.
“Cammie suggested I keep her company on the drive.” She steps back and I hate the space between us. “You would’ve had that assist if number three hadn’t boarded you.”
“Maybe tonight’s game.” I shrug.
“Fingers crossed.” She holds her hand up and shows off her Tilton decorated nails.
I grab her hand so I can inspect them and have a reason to touch her. “When did you get them done?”
“I did them before we left this morning.”
“That’s freaking cool.” I run my fingers over the intricate designs.
She grins, then tucks her hands in her hoodie pocket. “Thanks.”
“You guys want to grab lunch at the hotel?” Brody pats his stomach. “I want to feed the beast and catch a nap before the next game.”
“Sure.” Fee checks in with me. “If that’s cool with you?”
“Definitely.” I fall into step beside her as we cross the lot to the hotel—they’re conveniently close—but the restaurant is packed with parents and hockey players.