Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
The timer goes off and I whirl around, staring at the little white piece of plastic that holds my future in a tiny digital readout. I’ve never been more terrified in my life.
Never, ever.
Legs feeling like they’re trapped in mud, I move cautiously toward the sink, my heart about to jump out of my throat.
CHAPTER 19
Bain
Camden has pep in his step as we traverse down the airstair of the team plane. We have exactly twenty-four hours before we have to get back on to travel to Boston for an out-and-back game. He’s going to go set things right with Danica… the woman he loves.
As we were in the away locker room changing after our game against the New York Phantoms, he stood up on one of the benches and announced to the entire team he’d been seeing her.
This was done after much poking and prodding by me because I knew something was wrong with him. Turns out, Camden felt like he might be stomping on Mitch’s grave so he broke things off with Danica.
Said it was “the right thing to do.”
I told him that was bullshit. If something makes you feel horrible, then it wasn’t the right thing to do.
He was being a little hardheaded, so I had to give it to him straight and with no regard for his feelings. “Then what the actual fuck, dude? You have an amazing woman who, as far as I can tell over the last several weeks, has brought you out of your funk. You care for her and her kid. She’s ready to give her all to you, and you break it off? Are you stupid or something?”
Yeah… I was rough on the guy, but he was in danger of talking himself out of righting his wrong. After a little back-and-forth, he asked Hendrix, who knew Mitch well, “Are you sure I’m not doing anything wrong?”
“Does it feel wrong when you’re with her?” Hendrix replied.
“Nothing has ever felt more right.”
Then, I had to give my two cents. “I don’t care if anyone has a problem with it. If she’s that good for you and you for her, fuck anyone in this locker room and fuck any fan who has an issue with it.”
Hendrix and I told him to go for it and he did. By standing on the bench and proclaiming his feelings to the entire team.
It was pretty awesome.
I tried to imagine myself doing the same thing for a woman. Would I ever feel that way about someone?
Kiera?
One thing I have in common with Camden—nothing has felt more right. It’s a powerful statement to admit.
We hit the tarmac, duffels held over our shoulders as we head to the private terminal. “You going to Danica’s house?”
“Travis has a scrimmage right after school. I’m going to go watch him and then talk to her.”
Clapping Camden on the back, I give him assurances because I hear the nerves in his voice. “It’s going to be fine, man. Danica will forgive your slight bout of cold feet.”
“Yeah… I think she will. Still scared as fuck she won’t.”
I squeeze his shoulder. “You’ll be fine.”
Camden stops walking and turns to me. “What about you and Kiera?”
“What about us?” I ask. He hasn’t said a word to me about her since he busted us kissing at the gala.
He stares at me, a pointed look that says he’s not in the mood for my bullshit, especially since I harassed him into action about Danica.
I give him a wink. “Sorry, man… I don’t kiss and tell.”
Camden rolls his eyes.
“But I will tell you that everything’s perfect between us. I’m on my way to see her right now.”
Friends with benefits. Great sex. Just as good a friendship. Nothing less and nothing more.
“I’m glad,” he says with a bright smile. A man in love who’s happy his buddy might be experiencing the same thing. I don’t disabuse him of that. What works for me and Kiera wouldn’t work for him and Danica.
We say our farewells after walking through the terminal and cut in different directions in the parking lot.
I’m in a great mood when I pull into Kiera’s driveway. We came off a successful road trip where yours truly played very well, Camden’s got his love life under control and I’m getting ready to get lost in pleasure with an amazing woman.
Twirling keys on my finger, I trot up the porch steps. Kiera opens the door before I can even push the doorbell.
“There better be a damn good reason you’re not naked already,” I say as I step over the threshold and toss my keys on a nearby table. I pull her into my arms and proceed to devour her mouth. I manage to kick the door shut and start walking us toward her bedroom, but I come to the realization that she’s not exactly kissing me back.