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)
The reluctance had been clear on Natalie’s face, torn between maternal protectiveness and the real need for help. “Rafferty, that’s generous, but…”
“But nothing,” I said with a smile, trying to ease her concern. “I’m in this for the long haul with your daughter. Helping you is helping her, and that’s all I want to do.”
Eventually, she accepted, her thanks warm but laden with the weight of the favor. We agreed to keep the details from Tempe, although I promised myself I’d tell her the truth at some point in the future.
Back in the present, the laughter and conversation around me pull me out of the reverie. I listen as Tempe talks with Willa, Farren and Mazzy, her laughter genuine, her integration into this group effortless. It’s moments like these that reassure me. Despite the rocky start with Tansy and the subterfuge, something beautiful has blossomed from it. Tempe fits into my world perfectly, her ease among my friends and their acceptance of her banishing any doubt that I’m exactly where I need to be.
North nudges me, passing a plate of wings. “Earth to Rafferty, stop mooning over your girl for a second and have some food.”
Grinning, I grab a wing, and look back to Tempe. She’s recounting something, her hands gesturing, her eyes bright. I think I might actually be falling in love with her.
The bar door swings open and I only know this because I happen to be looking that way. I’m shocked to see Penn Navarro come through. The scowl on his face is deep, his eyes glancing about. The other guys see him too and everyone goes still.
I’m not sure anything could shock us more than our teammate finally coming to hang out with us.
Penn came to the Titans in a massive trade deal over the summer along with me, Atlas and North. He is regarded by anyone who’s anyone to be the best player in the league and while we are a great team, we are led by his skills and prowess.
The only problem has been, since he put on the uniform, no one has been able to get close to him. He has declined all invitations to hang with us on an informal basis and only shows up to mandatory events. Even then, he stays to himself and always leaves early after making his appearance. No one has been able to get close to him at all and other than his skills on the ice, I can’t think of a single redeeming thing to say about him simply because he’s an unknown.
“Well, miracles never cease,” Atlas mutters under his breath.
King raises his hand when Penn looks our way and motions him over. I see clear indecision on his face and it makes me sad that he’s unsure about this. But then something flattens in his eyes and his mouth turns grim. His hands in his jacket pockets, he hunches his shoulders and looks to move our way through the crowd but rather than sidestepping two bikers standing near the bar and talking, he knocks into one hard. The man’s beer bobbles and shoots a spray up.
“What the fuck, dude?” the big biker bellows and pushes Penn in the center of his chest.
“Jesus Christ,” King snarls and jumps out of his seat so fast it topples backward. I follow along with every other player on the team.
It seems to happen in slow motion as we rush toward the altercation in progress. Penn barrels back at the biker, lowers his shoulder and catches him in his gut, driving him into a group of people sitting on stools. The biker’s friend jumps into the fray, grabbing Penn by his jacket. He hauls him backward and then his fist flies into Penn’s face. His nose takes it straight on and blood bursts from it.
A streak of something flies by me and I’m stunned to see Stevie with a baseball bat in hand. I’ve heard tales from Hendrix that when they first started dating, he’d been shocked by her brass balls, jumping into the middle of fights to stop them. I’m pushed out of the way as Hendrix follows his girl and just before she can reach the scuffle, he’s grabbing her arm and pulling her back.
By that time, me, King, Atlas and North are there. Not with any plan to jump in and give retribution to the man who punched Penn—although I’d do that in a heartbeat on the ice—but from preventing a free-for-all. While these bikers might be loyal to Stevie, they’re fueled by alcohol and it’s going to get ugly.
Penn throws a wild punch and as he’s swinging, King inserts himself, holding his arms out to keep the opponents apart. North and I position ourselves in front of Penn who’s wiping at his bloody nose and staring daggers at the bikers.