Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Coen and Tillie’s new place is only about a twenty-minute drive to the heart of Pittsburgh but it feels like a world removed from the city. Their seven-thousand-square-foot house is made of brick, stone and copper-covered dormers. It sits on five secluded acres and has an attached apartment that they’re converting into an art studio for Tillie.
The party is in full swing when I arrive and I have no clue if Danica is here. I only know I’m probably going to spend a good deal of time craning my neck for a glimpse of her. It fucking sucks having to play it cool with our relationship in public. I look at all the couples—my teammates like Stone, Coen and Drake—who have found love in the last year, and I envy their ability to have their women at their side. It’s not something I ever coveted before. I’ve been to plenty of parties and get-togethers, and I’ve always been happy hanging out with the single dudes. Tonight, I’m feeling a bit empty because I want to talk to Danica, laugh with Danica and touch Danica. I want everyone to know that I cherish her and that she’s mine.
After snagging a beer, I join a group led by Coen who gives a tour of the place and I’m eventually deposited back with the single guys. I end up joining Kirill and Boone, my usual posse, minus Hendrix who’s off in the corner talking with his girl, Stevie. Bain hasn’t arrived yet, but I’m sure he’ll hang out with us once he gets here. With half an ear on Kirill and Boone discussing which truck is better—Chevy or Ford—I keep surveying the house and the movement of guests, looking for Danica.
When I do locate her walking in the front door, I have to restrain myself from going to her. She immediately sees Jenna and with a smile on her face moves to her for a hug. Jenna takes her by the hand and leads her off toward the kitchen, which flows from the main living area where I’m standing.
Forces beyond my control are pulling at me so I follow behind, nodding at friends, teammates and their significant others. I tip my beer, trying to drain it completely so I have a good reason for being in the kitchen to get another. It’s not that I’m going to talk to her, but I want to be near her.
Danica is holding a wineglass and waiting while Tillie fills it. Her back is to me and it allows me to take in the rest of the scene—tons of people standing in pockets of two to five.
Coen appears and joins Tillie and Danica in conversation. Despite my better judgment to stay away for fear of revealing my true feelings to all, talking to Coen seems like safe territory and allows me to at least be near Danica. So I wind my way through, fortuitously able to grab a beer from a large metal bin filled with ice on the counter.
Coen and Tillie see me first, but Danica turns, following their attention.
Tillie beams at me. “Hi, Camden… I’m so glad you could come.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” I step into Tillie and kiss her cheek. “Your new house is beautiful.”
Even though my heart is pounding like a steel drum, I give my regards to Danica. I want to say something charming but not so much that Coen and Tillie might suspect we’re more than friends. Maybe an inside joke we share, but even that would give away that we’re more than just acquaintances.
I’m sure Danica can sense my unease and her smile is uncertain. I can’t risk anyone knowing, and I’m afraid one word out of my mouth will be coated in the tender feelings I have for her.
So I merely lift my chin toward her. “Hey.”
“Hey,” she says, her smile sliding a bit.
Grabbing another beer from the bin, I jerk my thumb over my shoulder. “I only came in to grab beers for me and Bain. He’s waiting on me.”
“We’ll catch up in a bit,” Coen says, and Tillie nods effusively.
Danica, though… Christ… she looks hurt by my brush-off. I hate that, but she knows we can’t out ourselves. She’s going to have to trust that by playing it cooler than cool, it will be safer for both of us.
I turn away from what might be recrimination in her beautiful eyes and move through the kitchen. I head downstairs to the basement, which is Coen’s man cave. I’m now stuck with two beers since I have no clue if Bain is even here.
Spotting Coach West and his girlfriend, Ava, I decide to go say hello but then veer off as Brienne and Drake join them. Brienne knows about me and Danica, and I’m not in the mood for probing looks or the shuddering thought she might come right out and ask me about it.