Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He shifts and stretches his arm across the back of my leather seat.
“I’m sure what happened tonight was pretty tame by your standards.” I glance at the digital clock on the dash. “This would be considered an early night for you. I’m willing to bet that most of your evenings end with someone sliding into your bed.”
There’s a moment of silence as the tension ratchets up between us. I wish I could steal the words from the air, but that’s impossible. For better or worse, they’re out there.
“Not always.”
A kernel of longing blooms in the pit of my belly. Before I can inspect it more carefully, I stomp it out. Feeling anything other than friendship for Ryder would be dangerous.
Not to mention, foolish.
Especially since it would be all one sided.
I might be a lot of things, but stupid isn’t one of them.
“And how do most of your nights end?” His fingers lightly strum my shoulder and a sizzle of awareness shoots through me. I hate to admit just how much my brain short circuits at his slightest touch.
“Studying,” I whisper.
He nods as if unsurprised by my response. “Your nose has always been buried in a book.”
I gulp. “I’ve wanted to be a doctor ever since Mom…” My voice trails off.
“Was diagnosed with breast cancer,” he finishes softly.
“Yeah. I want to help women like her. It was terrible when we thought there was a possibility we could lose her. That’s not something I can imagine.” My heart clenches as I blink away the wetness that gathers in my eyes. Mom has always been my rock. And during that difficult period, I tried my damnedest to return the favor and be there for her. It’s one of the reasons I chose to attend school at Western. I wanted to stick close to home.
His fingers curl around the top of my shoulder and squeeze gently. “But she’s good now. She’s been in remission for a couple of years.”
I nod and try to clear the thick emotion that has gathered in my throat. It feels like a knot is wedged there, making it impossible to breathe.
“You’ve always been so driven.”
“Is that a euphemism for boring?” I ask, attempting to lighten the heaviness that has descended.
One side of his mouth hitches. “No. You’ve always been focused on attaining your goals. There’s nothing boring about that.”
“The same could be said for you.” Even when there weren’t team practices, Ryder was at the arena with Maverick and Dad, working on stick skills and speed.
He glances away to stare out the windshield. Something I never thought I’d hear from him invades his voice.
Doubt.
“Yeah. Who knows if that’ll happen or not.” He gives me a bit of side eye before adding quietly, “I’m kind of screwed if it doesn’t.”
A frown tugs at my lips. “Why would you say that?” I’ve never known Ryder to be anything other than confident. I hate to admit just how attractive his self-assured attitude is.
Another weighty silence falls over us as he stares into the darkness that surrounds the vehicle.
“I don’t know,” he says with a sigh. “There’s just been some shit going on, and it’s been messing with my head.”
“Like what?” I twist more toward him.
He drags a hand through his hair. “Just with this new coach. I guess you could say we’re not gelling.”
My mind tumbles back to the arena as I carefully comb over the game. Only now do I realize that he was benched during the third period. In all the years I’ve watched Ryder play, it’s not something that’s ever happened before. I didn’t think much of it at the time but…
Coach Kaminski loved Ryder. I didn’t realize there was an issue with the new one. I’ve heard Mav mention that he’s tough and regimented but nothing more.
“I’m sorry. It sucks that Coach K left right before the start of your senior season.”
He shrugs. “I can’t really blame him for it. A coaching job in the NHL is a dream come true for him. But yeah, it was definitely shitty timing.”
“Have you talked to my dad about it?”
He spears me with a glance before shaking his head. “Nah. I’m not gonna whine about it to Brody. I just need to work harder and stay focused.”
I chew my lower lip before saying hesitantly, “I don’t know, maybe he could give you some advice on how to work with the guy. Does Dad know him?”
“I think so. They probably played against each other in the pros.”
My brows rise. “Interesting.”
“As for working with him?” A mirthless laugh falls from his lips. “There’s no way to do that. The man is a grade A dick. If I’d known Coach K was bailing, I would have done the same. Then this wouldn’t be an issue. But there’s nothing I can do about it now. I don’t have any other choice but to stick out the season.”