Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80045 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80045 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“Nice to meet you, Jessica.” I grin down at her.
Clay eyes the teapot and book as I set it down on the counter next to him.
“If that's who I think it's for, then I definitely don't want to know who it’s for,” he says before handing Jessica the gloves he’s just bought for her.
Kiplin nods to Pax and Nash behind me, then gives me a shake of his head before reaching down, taking Jessica’s hand in his and exiting the store without another word.
I smile at the person behind the counter before looking at Nash and Pax. “I'm pretty sure I'm his new favorite,” I say, and the two laugh.
“You're definitely not,” Pax says, and Nash nods in agreement.
“I totally am,” I say with faux offense.
“You're not,” Nash says. “He's always harder on the people he actually likes.”
“Well that only further proves my point,” I say. “He's always riding me in practice.”
“Ha,” Pax laughs. “That isn't even half of what he could be doing, trust me.”
“Huh,” I say, handing the person behind the register a wad of cash as they gift wrap my two items. “I guess I'll have to work harder to annoy him then,” I say, smirking at my friends as I take my wrapped items and thank the person before we head out back onto Main Street.
“Good luck with that,” Nash says, tucking his hands back into his pockets to protect them against the cold.
We all sort of duck against the brutal wind that delivers a frosty sting.
“Food?” Pax asks as we all linger outside the little shop.
“I'm down,” Nash answers, nodding down the street where there’s a burger joint.
“I'm in,” I say, motioning to my car parked a few spaces down. “Let me just go put this away and I'll meet you there.”
The guys give me a nod, heading to the burger joint, and I hurry to stow my gifts for Blakely in the back seat of my car. As I lock it up, I can't help but feel this overwhelming sense of solidarity as I head to lunch with my teammates. It does everything to wash away the worry I have regarding the last piece of Blakely that I don't hold yet, and I find myself hopeful not only about the future with me and her, but with this new team that’s starting to feel a hell of a lot like family.
CHAPTER 15
BLAKELY
My knee bounces uncontrollably beneath the small table at the cafe, my iced coffee untouched before me. My chest is tight, and I might pass out any minute.
I glance at my phone, checking the clock for the millionth time. Any minute now—
The bell chimes above the door, signifying someone coming into the cafe. I don't even have to turn around to know who it is. Who I asked to meet me here after another unsuccessful attempt to stop his antics.
My body remembers his presence, and my skin tightens, my stomach twisting as he slowly lowers into the seat across from me. His eyes are hopeful, but he looks almost as uncomfortable as I feel as he folds his arms over his chest.
I study Brian for a few more moments, taking in the rigid line of his posture, the way his eyes dart to everything but mine. Maybe he’s ashamed of the way he's been acting.
“Thank you for meeting me,” I manage to work the words around the massive knot clogging my throat. I hate that it’s come to this. I hate that I can no longer sit across from somebody I thought I loved without feeling wildly uncomfortable. But he’s seen to that.
A server comes up to our table, asking him what he would like before I can continue, and he orders his usual coffee before silence falls around our table again.
“Did you catch the pretty-boy Badger with another girl?” he asks, not a hint of civility in his tone.
The words sting, but I do my best not to flinch. “No,” I say. “Not that it's any of your business. I didn't ask you to meet me for that.”
He nods, something like understanding flashing over his features as he takes the mug from the server, who then heads off to another table. “Then you finally want to talk about the audition?”
I gape at him, utter confusion washing over me. “Do you honestly think that after everything you've put me through, I would actually ask you to meet me here so we could talk about your audition for the reality show?”
He looks perplexed, like that's exactly what he thought, and I let out a deep sigh of frustration I’ve held since leaving him.
“You know that you’d benefit from the reality show too,” he says. “You know we’re amazing when we skate together. Even if we didn't work out as a couple, we’re fire on the ice. We’d get in if we auditioned together—”