Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
“That’s the plan,” I say.
“You’re welcome to join us, but I think your boys have practice tonight?” Hemi phrases it as a question.
“We’re working on the next generation of Terror players, isn’t that right, Donnie?” Coach Thomas claps him on the shoulder.
“Sure is.” Donnie replies.
“You all have a good time. See you on the ice tomorrow, Forrester,” Coach Thomas says before they continue down the hall.
We leave the office and head down the bustling street.
Hammer frowns as she consults her phone. “Tally can’t come tonight. She has dance and an evening class.”
“Her schedule isn’t very forgiving this semester,” Hemi says.
“She’s a dancer? What kind?” I ask as we push through the doors to the Watering Hole.
“Modern contemporary. She’s double majoring in dance and kinesiology. It’s a big transition for her,” Hammer says.
Dred, Rix, and Essie wave us over, and I’m welcomed with hugs.
Dred moves over, and I slide into the booth beside her. “I’m so glad you came tonight! Did dinner make it home okay last time?”
I smile. “It did, and it was a hit.”
“You’ll have to bring your sisters out so we can meet them,” Rix says.
“I would love to. Callie plays hockey five nights a week, and Fee is a senior and has a portfolio class, so it’s busy.”
“Portfolio? Is she in the arts?” Rix asks.
“She goes to the Art Academy.”
“What kind of art is she into?” Essie asks.
“She’s a dancer, but she’s also into mixed media art.”
“We definitely need to get her out. Tally went to school there.” Hemi accepts a glass of soda water.
I pass on the margaritas and order a ginger ale. “That would be a great connection for her.” Tally seems nice, and Fee could definitely use some new friends.
The bell over the door tinkles, and the hairs on the back of my neck rise.
A moment later, Roman appears in my periphery. He stops to hug Hammer and say hi to everyone. He’s so sweet with his daughter, and I once experienced that gentle side, but I also know how absolutely fucking filthy he can be when the clothes come off…
And when his gaze lands on me, I break out in goose bumps, and my entire body turns dewy. How can I spend the entire year like this? Always on alert. Always aware of his presence. Always turned on or anxious or both.
I give my attention to Dred, whose smile has turned sad as she watches Hammer and Roman. “It’s pretty special, isn’t it?”
“They’re so close,” I murmur.
“They are. They go out to bars and everything. They genuinely love spending time together.”
“My stepdad was super involved with my sisters like that. Not the bars, obviously, but they did things together all the time.” Maybe that’s part of the reason my relationship with my dad is so difficult. I long for that closeness, and it’s just not possible.
“I can’t imagine losing that.”
Flip, Tristan, and another man I haven’t seen before come through the doors. They head straight for our table so Tristan can say hi to Rix.
Essie pulls out her compact and quickly applies some gloss.
Tristan introduces the other man as his brother Nate before they join the guys lining the stools at the bar. I want to find a way to talk to Flip without being obvious. It’s impossible with so many of the guys around, though. I’m aware approaching him at the wrong time could make things worse instead of better.
I refocus on the girls, and making connections here, instead.
“How’s Nate doing?” Hemi asks Rix.
She nods. “He’s okay. It’s an adjustment, but I think it’s good for him.” She turns toward me. “Nate was planning to pursue a master’s, but he was offered his dream job, so he’s living with us until he can find a place of his own.”
“It’s so great that you have the space,” Hammer says.
“It is. And I think it’s good for Tristan and Nate, especially with Brody close by at Tilton U.”
“I’m kind of in love with the fact that my sister and Tally happened to find each other,” Essie muses.
“Right? It’s so perfect,” Rix agrees, then turns to me again, probably reading the confusion on my face. “Sorry, you have no idea what we’re on about, do you? Brody is Tristan’s youngest brother. He’s living on campus at Tilton this year, just like Tally and Essie’s younger sister, Cammie. I’m attending classes there too, but I’m partly online, and it’s a huge campus.”
“Ah, that makes sense.” I make a mental note that Tristan and Essie have university age siblings that go to Tilton.
“Lexi, we have something for you and your sisters!” Hammer passes a Terror tote bag down the table.
Dred does an excited seat shimmy. “It’s your welcome gift!”
“You didn’t need to do that,” I say as the bag is placed in front of me.
“It’s just something fun,” Hammer explains.