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)
And now I’m at Brit and Cooper’s place, sitting with about ten other wives and girlfriends, eating amazing Tex-Mex, and drinking the best margarita I’ve ever had.
But I’ll stop after one because I always stop after one.
“Jack hurt his shoulder today,” one of the wives—Seline?—says. “I swear, it’s always something.”
“Oh, for sure. Trevor just got over a groin strain,” another replies, and soon the whole room is full of nothing but injury talk, and shit.
“Mike got a freaking concussion three months ago,” someone says. “And he still gets headaches.”
I should rethink the whole one-drink rule.
Because I’m not in a place mentally where I can have this conversation sober. My heart speeds up, my hands are shaking, and my upper lip breaks out in a sweat.
Britney frowns at me, but I smile at her because that’s just what I do when I’m freaking out.
I pretend that I’m not losing my shit.
Everything’s fine.
I’m fine.
“Ivy, should Trevor be back in action so soon after that groin strain? I think he went back way too fast.”
I’m shaking my head before she even finishes the sentence.
“You know, I would have to see his injury report and talk to him. It’s really different with every patient.”
“And we’re not working tonight,” Brit adds with that sweet southern smile.
Someone changes the subject to concerts they want to see, and Britney takes me by the hand and leads me through the sliding glass door and out to the balcony that has a great view of the city. There’s no snow right now, but I can see my breath in the chilly winter air.
“Take a deep breath, honey.”
“Oh, I’m fine, you didn’t—”
“Bullshit.” That smile hasn’t slipped. “You’re not fine. I know you better than that. And if you don’t want to talk about what’s got your breeches up your ass, that’s fine with me. We can just sit out here for a spell and get some fresh air.”
“Did you know that your accent is thicker when you’ve been drinking?”
Britney laughs and nods. “I’ve been told a time or two. It’s a nice night.”
I nod and then shiver. “It’s cold as fuck.”
“Well, it’s winter in Colorado, so yeah, it’s cold. But I want to make sure that you’re okay.”
I pull my bottom lip between my teeth. I never talk about my anxiety. I tried, once, and I was told to just suck it up. To think happy thoughts and move on to something else.
That doesn’t help, but obviously no one wants to hear about my issues.
“I’m just worried, I guess.”
Brit nods. “What’s worrying you, Ivy?”
I rub my hand over the back of my neck. “I just don’t want Xander to get hurt again.”
It’s so much more than that. I don’t want him to forget me again.
“He’s a professional athlete,” she reminds me. “And he’s damn good at his job. The injuries aren’t common, you know.”
I nod. I know she’s right.
“Honey, you should talk to Xander. He can reassure you. He’d want to know that you’re scared. That man’s crazy about you, and he would not want you to be this upset on his account.”
I can’t talk to him about this and make him question me and how much I support him. I can’t.
“Honestly, it’s just my own anxiety. It’s fine. I know he’ll be okay. He’s not being reckless or anything, and he’s taking the appropriate time and precautions before he gets back on the ice.”
I nod and offer her a smile.
“But thanks for the fresh air and the chat.”
“I’m your friend, Ivy. I’m a vault. Always. What we talk about isn’t any of the guys’ business, so if you’re struggling, I want you to talk to me, day or night.”
My lip trembles and tears fill my eyes as I nod and blink furiously.
“Okay.” My voice is a wobbly whisper. “Thank you. Same goes, you know.”
“Oh, trust me, I’ll be telling you all of my woes, and you’ll be regrettin’ you said that.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Never.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
XANDER
Iadmit, I miss Montana, and I’ve been calling my dad to check in on him each of the five days we’ve already been here, but being with my team again, living in the penthouse, just enjoying Denver has been nice.
Getting on the ice and feeling like I’m part of the team again is good for my soul. So while it’s getting harder and harder to leave Montana for the long hockey season, I know that I’m not ready to hang up my skates yet.
And the fact that Ivy’s with me is the frosting on the cake.
She’s so great with the other medical staff. I can see that they respect her opinions and they truly listen to her.
I’m proud as fuck.
“Are you ready to head out?” I ask her as I poke my head in our bathroom and frown when I see that she isn’t dressed yet. She’s in the tank top and shorts she pulls on while she does her hair and makeup. That’s all done, but she’s just standing there, looking in the mirror. “Hey, what’s wrong? Do you feel okay?”