Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Heads up!
Out of the corner of my eye, I see an object hurtling toward us. I drop my dog into the paper boat and jab my fist at the ball. It boomerangs back toward the volleyball players. They cheer and yell thanks. I toss the ketchup boat into the trash.
“Good reflexes,” Josie remarks.
“That’s my job.” I grin. “The best offense is never getting hit.” I do a small duck and weave to show off. Immediately I feel dumb, but she laughs, and that makes me feel even warmer.
“I want to see you fight. Do you have an upcoming match?”
“Sure, but not an official one. Just sparring in gyms. Everything is unofficial and off the books because it looks better if you have a perfect record. You can get into fights with better prize money and better opponents.”
“Will you always live in Vegas?”
“No, I can live anywhere. It’s just Pedro is here, and he’s the best in the business. Other guys started fighting when they were kids. Me? Two years ago. I’m just starting to get the basics down. All I really have is good instincts. I can sense a punch coming even before the other guy winds up, and my hands are fast.” So fast that I can get hits on Harry, a legend. “Why? Do you hate Vegas?”
“Not really. I mean, other than being in your apartment and at the airport, I haven’t experienced it, so I can’t say whether it’s a good place or not. I think I could live anywhere.”
“Vegas is good for e-sports.” I want her to love it there. I need to train with Pedro for at least six more months. Plus, a lot of unofficial sparring matches take place there.
She grimaces and kicks at the sand. “I don’t have the money for that, and I’m way out of practice. I had to stop for a while because of the harassment and, like any sport, you have to be doing it, training nonstop to be on the top of your game. I can’t afford the right type of rig and gear either. But, honestly, I'm okay with that. I like not having the pressure of winning at that level. It's enough to win in the game itself.”
“The rig and gear is an easy fix. Lots of people have sponsors.”
“Who would sponsor me?”
“Me.”
“With what money?”
“My prize money.”
“No. You should keep that and buy a nicer apartment. One with a window that actually looks out at something other than the brick wall of an apartment behind you.”
I don’t want to argue with her. We’re supposed to be having fun.
“Oh look, you can see our hotel from here.” She points to the enormous stone-colored building in the distance. “I can’t believe that huge place only had one room left.”
I shove my hands in my pockets. “Yeah, bizarre but it’s L.A. They probably have Hollywood things going on. There were more expensive places that had two rooms, but like you said, I have to save my money.”
“Right.” She accepts my lie easily. “It’s all good. It has two beds, and that’s all we need.”
Much to my dismay. I definitely asked for a king, but then my dick would be on her again. Maybe even in her. Two beds were probably better in the long run.
Chapter Fourteen
JOSIE
Ithink Mick ruined me. I huff, rolling over in bed for what feels like the hundredth time. It doesn’t help, though; sleep is still evading me. My blanket is wrapped around me, but I’m still cold. Okay, maybe cold isn’t the right word.
I just miss having Mick’s warm body close to me. I hadn’t slept that nicely in ages. Why did they have to have stupid double beds? Right when I was thinking I could allow myself to give in to what I really wanted from Mick.
I was hoping we could have a wild weekend before we parted ways. It would be a final goodbye, and I wouldn't spend the rest of my life wondering what it would be like if he kissed me. To feel his rough hands all over my body.
Because I know that at the end of all of this, I will have to fully break away from him. There is no way my heart will survive this. I can’t be his friend. I don’t have it in me, and maybe that makes me a total bitch, but the world has fucked with my heart enough. I have to protect what’s left of it.
I roll over again, hoping to find my phone. Maybe I could read a book or something to make me tired. “You all right?” Mick asks into the darkness. His deep voice doesn’t help my situation.
“Yeah, just restless, I guess.” I turn to face him, even though I can't see his face clearly. There is only a soft light coming from a digital clock that projects onto the ceiling. “You?”