Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 101758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
I start to sit, but Xander grabs the hood on the sweatshirt and says, “Whoa, Red, you’re with me.”
And damn, but that makes me feel good.
Xander gestures for me to sit next to him, so I do, and I’m shocked that I don’t even feel nervous. This afternoon, I almost had a panic attack at the thought of being around these new people, but here I am, hours later, socializing.
It’s weird.
I’ll probably freak out later.
CHAPTER NINE
XANDER
Ivy laughs next to me as she talks with Brit, and it makes me feel . . . it makes me feel. I love that she came out with us after her mom humiliated her. I wanted to scoop Ivy up and carry her out of there and assure her that she never has to step foot in that bar again.
But that’s not my place.
And I’m beginning to hate that it’s not my place.
“You’ve worked in the bar since you were twelve?” Britney asks Ivy. “Aren’t there laws against that?”
“Well, maybe,” Ivy says with a shrug. “I wasn’t serving alcohol, but I was cleaning and stocking and stuff. My dad died when I was a baby, and he left the bar to my mom. But her last husband, Chris, was around for a really long time, and he actually took care of everything. He was really my dad in every way that counts. But you saw my mom, and well, he left a few months ago.”
“Well, that sucks,” Cooper says, and pops a chip in his mouth. “So you’re pulling double duty.”
“For now.” Ivy shrugs and looks down at her hands. “Honestly, I know the bar needs work. I was just thinking about that tonight. I’d like to do a complete overhaul and change everything. Add a full kitchen so we could do an appetizer menu, and I’d make the place into a proper sports bar.”
“Oh, do it,” Britney says, jumping up and down in her chair. “That would be amazing.”
“I know, but my mom just drained the bank account, so the utility checks bounced. There’s no way. I should just abandon ship and let her deal with the fallout, but that doesn’t feel right either.”
Ivy shakes her head.
“Okay, enough about that boring and depressing topic. Britney, what do you do?”
“Oh, honey, I own the cutest little romance bookshop in Denver. It’s not too far from the arena and our condo, and I love it so much.”
“There’s a romance bookstore in Bitterroot Valley,” Ivy says, excitement transforming her face into a gorgeous glow, and I want to touch her. Fuck, I want to touch her. “I’ll take you in there, if you want, that is. Billie, the owner, is the sweetest.”
“I’d love that. Let’s do it tomorrow after y’all have your session.”
Ivy nods, and I glance over at Easton, who’s watching me.
Fuck you, I say with my face.
My brother smirks.
“Are you supposed to be eating all these tacos and chips and shit?” Easton asks me. “Won’t you get in trouble?”
“Cassie’s been filling my fridge,” I reply with a shrug. “She feeds me well, so this won’t hurt anything.”
“I burn this many calories during one workout,” Cooper agrees.
“How is Cassie?” Easton asks, not meeting my gaze.
I narrow my eyes on him. He used to have a thing for the personal chef, way back in the day, but life took them in different directions.
“Seems good. I don’t see much of her, she just cooks my meals and fills the fridge, like a little chef fairy. She’s the best.”
“Babe, we really need to hire someone for that,” Britney says to Cooper. “It would be a huge help. I’ll look into it when we get back. I’m sure some of the other WAGs have connections.”
“Excuse me,” Ivy says as she stands up. “I’ll be right back.”
She walks away, toward the restrooms, and I watch her go. My name and team number are on her back, and fuck if I don’t like that.
I like it a lot.
“Oh my God, I like her,” Britney says when Ivy’s out of earshot. “She’s just cute as a button, and sweet, and gorgeous. Her mother is fucking blind if she thinks that girl is anything but beautiful.”
“Spiteful bitch,” Easton grumbles, shaking his head. “I wish I could arrest her for that.”
I grin at my brother. “Me too.”
“Can’t you be more than professionals?” Britney asks. “I mean, come on. I see the way you look at her, like you’re starving and she’s a buffet of barbecue ribs and corn on the cob.”
“Sure, mention my favorite food, Brit.”
“I’m just saying.”
“I can’t make her do anything, and for all I know she’s not interested. I don’t want to make her uncomfortable. I have to work with her.”
Brit leans over and smacks me on the shoulder, making me cower back like it hurt.
Spoiler alert, it didn’t.
“Ouch. Coop, put a leash on your out-of-control wife.”