Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Maybe one of each.
We stop at a merchandise stand and although it’s way overpriced, I buy purple foam fingers for Cooper and Danny. I hold them while they play a variety of hockey-themed games set up in a kids’ area, and then force them to pay our respects at a new memorial wall erected in the main lobby for the Titans’ plane that crashed coming up on two years ago. The boys were both eleven when the plane went down, killing everyone on board, and while they remember it in general terms, they didn’t really understand the implications of it—rebuilding the team from scratch. The Titans have displays showing a biography of every single player who made up the new team.
“Rafferty’s not on there,” Danny says, looking over the players. He’s been most impressed that I’m friends with him and he gave us these tickets.
“He just signed on this summer,” Cooper says. He apparently knows far more of the inner workings of this team than his buddy.
We hit up the food vendors, the boys choosing pizza while I line up at the Primanti’s stall for a pastrami and cheese sandwich. There’s plenty of time before the warm-ups start, so we eat standing at a high-top table and then I treat them to ice cream and myself to a beer.
Once we’re walking down the steps to our seats, led by an usher in a white shirt and black vest, the music is blaring and the fans are screaming. The ice gleams under the lights and a low flutter of excitement builds within me.
I’m actually here at the Titans’ arena and I’m going to see Rafferty play. I don’t think it’s hit me how freaking cool all this is until right this moment, and as Cooper and Danny file into our row, I take a second to look around me.
I know I’ll never forget this moment.
“Tempe… come on.” I blink and look down the row, see Danny and Cooper sitting and licking at their cones. Cooper looks at me expectantly. “The visiting team is on the ice. The Titans will be coming out to warm up soon.”
I have to scoot past a few people, holding my beer gingerly so I don’t spill it, and take the empty seat next to my brother.
We watch with wide grins as various videos play on the big screen, rock music blares and fans dance in their rows. I see some Phantom fans a few rows behind us and to the left, talking smack to Titans fans, but it all seems in good fun.
When someone takes the seat next to me, I turn to see a beautiful brunette in jeans, knee-high boots and a Titans jersey. She smiles and holds out her hand. “You must be Tempe.”
I jolt at the mention of my name, but then immediately realize… this is Rafferty’s sister. I knew she’d be here tonight as he’d texted me while I was working that she surprised him with a visit and hoped I didn’t mind that he put us all together.
Of course, I didn’t mind.
How could I when this experience is beyond amazing?
“Hi,” I gush, balancing my beer carefully to shake her hand. “You must be Farren. It’s great to meet you.” I glance at the boys, both absorbed in watching the Titans mascot skating around the ice, shooting rolled up T-shirts into the crowd. “That’s my brother Cooper and his buddy Danny.”
“Cute kids,” she says, leaning forward to look down the row.
“I’ll properly introduce you when their heads are out of the clouds.”
Farren laughs and then leans into me, lowering her voice. “I’m glad they’re not paying attention as I can ask you all the dirty details about this whole fake girlfriend thing you got going on with my brother.”
I groan audibly, ducking my head in faux shame. “It’s crazy, but that’s all your brother’s fault. He roped me into it by kissing me in the grocery store.”
Farren giggles. “I couldn’t believe the story when he told me. I mean, Rafferty is not the impulsive one in our family. That’s totally me.”
“Tempe,” Cooper yells, elbowing me in the ribs. “They’re on the ice!”
I turn to see the Titans pouring through the gate that leads back to the locker room, each player zipping off as soon as his skates touch the ice. They zoom past us in a wide circle, warming up their legs.
“There’s Rafferty!” Cooper yells as he and Danny surge to their feet and start screaming. I watch him zip by, his face intensely focused.
I answer Farren while keeping an eye on the boys, ensuring they don’t climb over their seats in excitement. “It’s been interesting. I’d say your brother has found a bit of your impulsivity.”
Farren chuckles, nodding. “He must be evolving. He’s always been the charmer but never really settled down. You’re probably the longest ‘relationship’ he’s ever had.”