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)
Of course, Drake in goal wasn’t quite the biggest story tonight. It was that kiss he laid on Brienne when he stepped off the ice that has everyone reeling. I didn’t see it, but I sure as hell heard about it as the gossip spread through the locker room like wildfire. When Drake finally appeared, he got so much shit from everyone that he couldn’t even respond. He finally just held up his hands, asking for quiet, and said, “Brienne and I are together. It’s been in the making. Deal with it.”
He said this with a smirk and remained stoic the rest of the night. He buzzed out immediately after showering, and I’m confident we won’t find him here tonight.
“There they are,” Baden says, and I get a punch of pleasure at seeing Ava sitting at a high top wearing the custom jersey I had made for her. She sees me and waves, Sophie turning to look in our direction.
When we approach the table, Ava steps off her stool and walks right into me for a hug. Her arms wrap around my neck, mine go to her waist, and I pick her up from the floor as we squeeze each other.
She leans her head back to look at me, feet dangling. “Great game. Congrats, Coach!”
“I feel like I’m due a celebratory kiss,” I reply, and then don’t wait for her to give it to me.
I take it.
I’m vaguely aware of people around us cheering, and when I let her up for breath and she slides back down to the floor, several fans around us hoot and clap over that kiss.
Ava’s cheeks flame red and it’s adorable. I settle my hand on her lower back to guide her to her chair and then stand beside her. A waitress appears, and Baden and I order beers to match Sophie and Ava.
“That game was phenomenal,” Sophie exclaims, and then gives a playful punch to Baden’s shoulder. “And your boy Drake pulled out all the stops.”
Baden snorts and looks across the table at me, and I laugh. The girls exchange glances, confused.
“What are we missing?” Ava asks.
Baden shakes his head in amusement as I fill them in. “Apparently—and I didn’t see this myself but heard all about it—Drake came off the ice and went into an interview with a reporter. He declared that he was in love with Brienne and then kissed her right on TV.”
Ava and Sophie blink at me, completely stunned. They look at each other, then back to me. “No,” Ava says dismissively. “We spent the entire game with Brienne, and she didn’t…”
Her words trail off, and I can see something in her eyes clicking into place. She must have picked up on something from Brienne, but she doesn’t offer it up, and I don’t push. Women are entitled to their secrets.
“Oh, look,” Sophie says, pointing up at one of the wall TVs.
The local news channel leads off with the clip of Drake and Brienne’s make-out, and holy hell… that is one claiming and possessive kiss. The sound is off on the TVs, so I have no clue what the reporter is saying, but I’ll search for it later.
“Well, that’s not the only jaw-dropping thing Brienne did this evening,” Sophie drawls, and Ava ducks her head slightly to hide a smile.
“What?” Baden asks.
Sophie looks at Ava, her eyes sparkling with amusement, then brings her gaze directly to me. “Turns out Ava’s ex-boyfriend was in the owner’s suite tonight. And he approached Ava and asked what she was doing there.”
Anger swells within me that asshole would dare talk to Ava. “What happened?” I growl.
Ava frowns at my tone, but Sophie grins. She knows I’m being protective. “Oh, don’t get your shorts in a bunch. Brienne totally destroyed him. Made sure he knew that Ava was way better off without him.”
My head swivels toward Ava.
“Brienne told him that we were dear friends and that she met me through you. He knows we’re dating, and to say he was shocked would be an understatement.”
“It was priceless,” Sophie says.
“And you’re okay?” I press.
Her smile is transparent. “Yes, I’m very okay. It was a short interaction, and I barely said anything. He left with his tail between his legs.”
That should satisfy me. I should be happy that the bastard knows she’s moved on. And yet, I’m feeling disgruntled. I feel like I should be the one to let the jackass know what a fuckup he is and how big his loss was.
Which is my gain… in a completely monogamous but very casual way.
The fact that I keep insisting that I’m unwilling to dive too deep with Ava should have me leaving this subject alone, but I feel compelled to say, “Maybe I should have a follow-up conversation with him.”
Baden’s lips twitch, Sophie takes a sip of beer to hide her smile, and Ava’s brow knits together. “You’re sweet, but it’s not necessary. Brienne put him in his place.”