Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 82508 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82508 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
I’m bigger and wider than most other hockey players, and I know how to hit hard. When Jacobs is open and right in my way, I don’t hesitate to flatten him against the boards and steal the puck.
I get my boys over the blue line, and they take care of putting it past Simms, who’s attempting to protect the goal when he’s a sophomore forward.
When I glance over at Jacobs, his face is red, and he looks ready to pummel me to the ice.
What does it say about me that I think that sounds fun too?
I’m so used to being liked by everyone and being easy to get along with that I find his contempt fascinating. I have no idea what I ever did to him, but whatever it was, I’m not even sorry.
Because … I weirdly like it.
I should probably see a shrink about that, but instead, I’m going to spend the next seven weeks pushing his buttons.
I skate past him and give him a mock salute.
His murder face is back.
So. Much. Fun.
The first day is more grueling than I thought it would be. By the time we’re told to hit the showers, I’m ready for a drink. Or a fuck.
The camp teenagers are experiencing dorm life for the first time in their short existence. No adults. No supervision. And apparently, it’s our responsibility to make sure they don’t do anything stupid.
Correction, it’s our underage teammates’ responsibility while the rest of us hit up a bar.
McIntyre’s is a favorite of the team’s because it’s within walking distance of campus.
When we get inside, my gaze immediately finds Jacobs, who’s sitting at a booth with Grant’s boyfriend, Zach.
Grant’s never kept his sexuality a huge secret—it was one of the first things I learned when I met him—but it wasn’t until this past year that he actually got himself a boyfriend and went public with it.
His boyfriend is kind of … not the type of guy I’d thought Grant would go for. Zach’s not into sports, he’s academically inclined, and … okay, I’m trying to think of a less-insulting thing to call him than a nerd. But it’s what he is.
I figured if Grant was ever going to settle down with anyone, it’d be a big masculine dude with muscles and as much ego as him. For a long while, I actually thought he and Jacobs had a thing going on. Not that I’ve given Grant’s love life much thought.
Grant’s at the bar, and I slap his back as I approach.
“What’s up, man? When do you leave?”
He turns to me with a wide smile. “Next week. Zach and I are driving up and spending the summer getting acquainted with the city.”
Lucky fucker managed to score an NHL deal. He’s going to be playing hockey for a goddamn living, and I’m insanely jealous.
That’s not in the cards for me.
We grab drinks and make it back to the table where Grant slides in beside his boyfriend and puts his arm around Zach’s small shoulders.
Jacobs scowls at me as I move in next to him and make room for Cohen and Rossi.
“You know, I’ve heard smiling uses less muscles than scowling. You should try it sometime.” To prove my point, I give an easy smile.
“I’ve heard it’s easier to not be a dick. Maybe you should try it sometime.”
I laugh and sip my beer.
Grant rolls his eyes. “What are you two going to do now I’m leaving? There’ll be no one to get in between your bickering.”
“Why do you bicker?” Zach asks.
I say, “I have no idea,” at the same time Jacobs says, “He’s a dick.”
“Why are you so obsessed with my dick?” I taunt.
Zach purses his lips. “Animosity like that between two people can be an indicator of sexual tension.”
Grant leans toward his boyfriend. “He was joking, baby.”
Realization dawns on Zach’s face. “Oh. Right. Smack talk. Go jocks!” He half-heartedly fist pumps the air.
Grant kisses the side of his head.
Something at the sight makes my gut warm, but I’m quick to dismiss it. Affection isn’t something I’ve ever received. Not from my parents and hardly from any of the girls I’ve dated. I’ve never felt the need to kiss someone’s head lovingly or wrap my arm around them possessively.
But seeing Grant and his boyfriend makes me wonder if I’m missing out.
“So, I hear you two are duking it out for captain,” Grant says.
“Yep. Coach has left it up to the team to vote,” Jacobs says. “It’s bullshit. As if Mr. Party Favors over there isn’t gonna take it out if that’s the case.”
Grant rubs his jaw, and I can see his captain brain thinking of a solution. “Co-captains is always an option. Captain and alternate captain?”
“CU doesn’t do alternates,” Jacobs says. “You know that.”
“They usually don’t let the team vote for captain either,” I point out. “I’d be happy to make you my alternate.”