Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
In the family lounge, I scan to see who I do and do not know. I’m pleased that after the welcome party at my house where I met most of the significant others, I can now recall almost everyone’s name. With a career like mine, you must be able to connect faces and names.
The majority of these family members won’t stay here in the lounge. We’re still hours from game time, so many will go out for a late lunch or a walk along the river. Maybe visit a museum or get in a little gambling at the casino. But for now, it’s about a little time to socialize with their Titans family.
I first focus in on those I don’t recognize, which leads me to introductions with Boone’s parents, visiting from California. I move on to meet Andrei Komokov’s parents, also visiting but from a little farther afield. They traveled from Moscow to see their son play tonight.
As I leave them, I spot Harlow at a table with a man and woman who I’m betting are her parents. I make my way there to introduce myself. I learned during our girls’ lunch the other day that her dad is a prominent attorney here in Pittsburgh, and their entire family is huge Titans fans. All three are dressed in Stone Dumelin jerseys—so adorable. I know Stone doesn’t have a relationship with his own parents, but Harlow told me that her mom and dad have essentially adopted him.
Before I get there, though, a tiny buzz of awareness skitters up my spine, and I turn to see Drake walking through the door. He’s in his suit, which means he just got here, but my eyes are more riveted by the three little miniature Drakes he has in tow.
I know he has three boys—Jake, Colby, and Tanner. And that’s all I knew up until today because we don’t really talk about such things.
What I can see now is that they are all replicas of their dad with the same blond, slightly wavy hair and crystal-blue eyes framed by dark lashes. Drake carries one of the boys and holds the hand of another. A woman who also looks just like him—presumably his sister Kiera—holds the hand of the third, walking in behind them. He’s a replica of the kid Drake is holding—the twins. That child looks around in wonder and is glued tight to her side as if he’s overwhelmed. She bends down and says something to him, and whatever it is, he grins. Two dimples pop out, and Kiera smiles right back at him, exhibiting matching divots in her cheeks.
I wonder if Drake has dimples, but I’ll never know unless I ask since he sports a full beard. I think I’d like to see his dimples, but that would mean giving up the beard, and I really, really like his beard.
I know I should go meet Harlow and her folks, but I’m frozen watching Drake as he effortlessly moves around the room, introducing his kids and sister to the other players and family members.
It’s funny how the entire reason I’m down here now is to show the players’ families that I’m accessible, that I’m more than just an owner perched on her pedestal.
And yet… I’m actually a bit terrified to be introduced to his sister and boys.
First, I’m not good with kids. Like, at all. Frankly, they scare me, and I don’t know how to talk to them.
Mostly, I shouldn’t want them to like me because that suggests Drake is more important than just a hot fling.
And he can’t be more than that.
When his head swivels slightly and those blue eyes lock with mine, my breath stutters. He gives away no emotion because he can’t. Too many people around, but damn if he doesn’t offer just the slightest jerk of his head, indicating he wants me to come over.
My lungs inflate—with relief? My legs move in Drake’s direction—is that giddiness?
Jesus, I’m fucked in the head over him.
Drake fully turns toward me, dips his head to say something to his sister, and then nods my way. I put on my biggest, most welcoming smile and I pin it on her, because she is an adult and I know how to talk to adults.
I step up with my hand out. “You must be Drake’s sister, Kiera.”
She radiates joy as she shakes my hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Ms. Norcross. Thanks for giving my buffoon of a brother a second chance.”
I think I love her already. “First, it’s Brienne. Second… he told you about our first meeting?”
“You mean when he was an a-s-s-h-o-l-e?” she spells because of three pairs of sensitive ears.
“I had reason to be,” Drake grumbles, but it’s good-natured. His eyes shine with amusement.
“Why did Aunt Kiera spell out asshole?” the kid holding Drake’s hand asks as he looks up to his dad.