Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
“No, I’ll handle it all. I’ll text you the code to get into the parking garage. You’ll see guest parking near the elevators. You do remember I’m on the eighteenth floor, unit 14, right?”
“Of course I don’t remember that. I was a little preoccupied going in.”
Cannon chuckles, and I can actually hear the relief in his voice that there’s no regret on my part. “Okay, then… see you at seven.”
“It’s a date,” I chirp.
“And Ava?”
“Yes?”
“Pack an overnight bag.”
My skin flushes because I actually didn’t see this coming. I’m a literal person. You say we’re getting together for dinner, I expect dinner.
Images of our time together last night assault me in Technicolor, replaying the ravenous way we went at each other.
Of the things he made me feel.
“Okay,” is all I can manage to whisper.
“Can’t wait,” he says, his voice rich with promise.
Of having a good meal or having me, I can’t tell. I’m game for both.
When we hang up, I’m frozen in place for a bit about what to do. I have to find a new job. I have to mull over all my insecurities as to why Cannon wants to see me again. My life can’t quite seem to take off, and he’s at the pinnacle of his.
When I finally make a cup of tea and open my laptop, it’s not to search job listings but instead, I google Cannon. There are a ton of articles on him, and in the top row of photos I gasp to see that he was on the cover of GQ. I click on the thumbnail and when it enlarges, I’m enraptured just looking at his perfection.
Cannon’s standing at center ice in the Titans’ arena. He takes up most of the frame and the background is blurred and darkened, but it’s definitely the arena. I went to a concert there with Derek not long after we first moved here.
The dark gray suit Cannon is wearing has a sheen to it, beautifully tailored to his frame. He’s got one arm bent and held before him, his other hand fiddling with a cuff link there. He’s looking off to the left, so we get a profile of his face.
His expression is contemplative with a hard set to his jaw. But there’s also a very subtle curving of his lips. It’s like he’s focused on a prize, and he knows he’s going to win it.
I slump down in my chair and ogle the man, again wondering why he’s interested in me.
And it’s not that I’m down on myself. I’m confident enough to say I’m attractive and Derek was very handsome. But it’s not really the outward appearance that has me feeling unworthy.
It’s that Cannon is the entire package. He’s got the looks and wealth, but I’ve had that before. It doesn’t make someone attractive.
No, Cannon has so much more. He’s genuine, down-to-earth, kind, and empathetic, all qualities that I’m now realizing Derek didn’t have much of. What does that say about me that I accepted him as good enough?
And not the most important, but I can’t discount it, Cannon is a rock star in bed. Last night was mind-blowing and while I know alcohol might have been what landed us between the sheets, and it might have warped my perception some, I have no doubt that I experienced the ultimate in sex with him.
Not that great sex is a particular reason to be with someone.
I close out the GQ article and scroll down until I find a Wikipedia post on him. I pull it up and start reading.
Cannon West (born November 17, 1986) is an American professional ice hockey coach and a former player. He is currently the head coach of the Pittsburgh Titans, replacing former coach Matt Keller, whose contract was terminated. West played with the Toronto Blazers for seven years before moving on to coaching in Sweden and for the Greenville Mudcats minor league team.
I glance over at the column on the right that lists basic biographical information. There’s a picture of him in his hockey gear, bent over at the waist and fighting for the puck. Surprisingly, he wore his hair kind of long, and sweaty tendrils curl out from the back. The caption under it says, Cannon West, Toronto Blazers.
Below are more details:
Born: November 17, 1986 (age 36), Denver, Colorado
Height: 6 ft. 2 in. (188 cm)
Weight: 214 lb. (97 kg; 15 st, 4 lb.)
College: University of Minnesota
Position: Center
Currently: Head Coach, Pittsburgh Titans
Spouse: Melissa West (m. 2007–2013)
I freeze, my eyes pinned on those last words.
Cannon was married? I don’t know why it shocks me so much, but it does.
I skip all the information on his playing and coaching history and skim down to the section entitled Personal Life.
Cannon West married his high school sweetheart, Melissa Waite, in 2007, the same year he joined the Toronto Blazers. She passed away on November 4, 2013, from breast cancer.