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)
Or maybe I’m letting my imagination run wild. What I do know is that the guy is a force to be reckoned with on the ice. He’s one of the best goalies playing Division I hockey. Like Ryder, he entered the draft during his sophomore year in college and was picked up by Milwaukee. Once he graduates, he’ll sign his contract and play professionally.
“Hey, little McKinnon,” Colby says with a smile. One flick of his baby blues and girls drop their panties, no questions asked.
I can’t help but flash him a smile. It’s tempting to pinch his dimpled cheeks. “You realize that I’m the older sibling, right?”
“I meant in stature,” he shoots back easily.
Well, he’s got me there. Next to these guys, I’m a pipsqueak.
All of them say goodbye to my parents before taking off. Heads swivel as they saunter through the Union.
I pull out a chair and take a seat. “Where’s Mav? Isn’t he meeting up with us for lunch?”
Mom searches the crowded space before pointing toward the entrance. “Speak of the devil, he just walked in.”
The guys all knock fists with Maverick on the way past before he hugs Mom and settles next to me. Since our parents arrived earlier, they grabbed a few sandwiches, two soups, and a couple salads along with drinks.
Mom glances around the Union before meeting Dad’s gaze. “It doesn’t seem like all that long ago when we were at college, does it?”
“Tell that to my joints,” Dad grumbles. “Some days I wake up and it feels like I’m eighty.”
Mom’s lips quirk. “I know, but still…sometimes it feels like yesterday.”
His eyes soften before he reaches out and squeezes her slender hand. “You look the same as you did then.”
She snorts before smiling. “Nice try.”
“I’m serious. You’re just as beautiful as the day we met.”
When they lean in for a kiss, Mav makes a few gagging noises. “If you two start going at it, I’m leaving.”
A smile simmers around Dad’s lips. “How do you think you and your sister got here?”
“Jesus…” Mav mutters. “Are you trying to make me lose my appetite?”
Mom chuckles before passing out the sandwiches and giving us all a choice of soup or salad. Our parents opt for the salads and Mav and I grab the containers of soup. The bowl is still steaming when I lift the spoon to my lips.
They try to stop by campus once a month to have lunch or take us out to dinner. During hockey season, it’s easier to grab something in the afternoon between classes rather than work around Mav’s practice and game schedule.
“How’s it going with the new coach?” Dad asks.
Mav jerks his shoulders. “The guy was a real hardass when he first came in, but now that we’re a month into the season, he’s beginning to mellow.”
Dad nods before musing, “I played against Reed Philips in college and when he was in Chicago. He was one hell of a player back in the day.”
“Did they have helmets way back then, old man?” Mav asks, lips twitching.
“Hardy har har. You’re hilarious.”
He smirks. “I try.”
“I spoke to him last week about a couple of players I’m representing, and then we talked at length about Ryder.”
I pause before taking a bite of my sandwich as Dad continues. “I’d assumed that playing another year in college would help solidify his confidence, but it’s had the opposite effect. I think Kasminski leaving and Philips coming in has messed with his mojo. He needs to get his head on straight if he wants Chicago to sign him.
Surprised by the comment, I blurt, “Do you really think there’s a chance they’d drop Ryder?”
Dad’s serious gaze settles on mine. “I don’t know. The season has just gotten underway and there’s still a lot of time, but knocking that guy against the boards after the play was over wasn’t a smart move. No one wants to pick up a loose cannon. I know Cal and Sadie are concerned. He’s talented. I’d really hate to see Ryder not play professionally.”
I’ve never heard my father express concern for Ryder’s future. A thick lump settles in the middle of my throat as my appetite pulls a disappearing act.
When I remain silent, Dad refocuses his attention on my brother. “You haven’t noticed anything going on with him, have you?”
Mav’s gaze flickers to mine for a heartbeat before locking on our father. “Nope. Nothing at all.”
“I’ll reach out tonight and talk to him. Maybe see what’s going on.”
I stare at my half-eaten sandwich as talk turns to Maverick’s classes and how they’re going. Like Dad, Mav was diagnosed with dyslexia in elementary school. As soon as he showed signs of struggling when learning to read, they had him tested and hired private tutors. It was never something that was looked upon as a disability. He just learns differently. Sometimes that means accommodations or modifications. For as long as I can remember, getting my brother to sit down and study or complete homework has been a challenge.