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)
The sound of my heartbeat fills my ears like the dull roar of the ocean as a few of his friends catch sight of me before nudging him and pointing. His eyes widen behind the cage as he slowly skates toward the bleachers and comes to an abrupt halt in front of me. My heart kicks up its tempo, slamming painfully against my ribcage. Heat floods my cheeks as people swivel and stare. A cartoon figure of a wildcat dancing on the jumbotron is replaced by livestream feed of me.
Holding my sign with shaky hands.
Bile gurgles up in my throat.
There’s no question about it—I’m definitely going to be sick.
This was a mistake.
Had I been thinking clearly, I would have texted instead to see if we could meet up for coffee and talk. I wouldn’t have publicly humiliated myself by trying to make a grand gesture to win him over.
I’m not sure how I’ll ever show my face around campus again.
Ryder’s gaze stays pinned to mine as his smile blooms into more of a grin. He taps his chest twice before pointing a gloved hand at me. When cheers go up, my knees weaken until it feels like I’ll slide to the sticky concrete beneath my feet.
“Breathe,” Carina says, pitching her voice just low enough to be heard over the roar of the fans. “He’s totally into it.”
For the first time in days, I flash her a grateful smile as relief pumps through my veins.
It doesn’t take long for the crowd to disperse. Most head for the exit and into the crisp night air. People will definitely be out en masse celebrating at the bars tonight. Dozens of friends and family wait for the players to shower and change. Small groups of girls wearing jerseys are there as well.
I chew my nails, impatient for Ryder to make an appearance. The moment he walks out of the locker room, my heart kicks into overdrive. His expression remains inscrutable as his gaze locks on mine.
What if he changed his mind?
What if he wants to let me down easy so that I’m not publicly humiliated in front of ten thousand spectators?
The more distance he eats up with his long-legged strides, the more nauseous I become.
When we’re only a handful of steps away, my tongue darts out to moisten my lips. I need to get in front of this.
Now.
“Ryder—”
Before I can force out the rest, he captures my fingers with his larger ones and tugs me close until I’m pressed against the steely wall of his chest. Then he lifts me off my feet and spins me around in a tight circle until I’m dizzy.
As soon as he grinds to a halt, his mouth crashes onto mine. When his tongue steals across the seam of my lips, I open so that they can dance and mingle. Everyone around us fades away until the only person I’m aware of is Ryder and how good it feels to be back in the warm circle of his arms.
I’ve missed this so much.
I’ve missed him so much.
Just when it feels like my lungs will burst, he pulls away enough to search my eyes.
“So, you’re sorry and you love me, huh?”
“I am, Ryder. I’m so sorry for hurting you. I thought I was doing what’s best for both of us. The last thing I want to be is a distraction, but nothing feels right without you.”
His eyes soften. “Say it again.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He rests his forehead against mine and stares deep into my eyes. It would be all too easy to drown within their blue depths.
It’s only when someone clears their throat from beside us that we splinter apart. Although, Ryder hauls me against him as if he’ll never let go.
Dad arches a brow as he folds his arms across his chest.
Ryder straightens to his full height. “I probably should have been upfront with you about what was going on with your daughter. If you no longer want to represent me, I understand.” He glances at me, and his arm tightens, pressing me closer. “But I’m not breaking up with Juliette.”
When he falls silent, my dad narrows his eyes. “Is that so?”
The younger man lifts his chin and holds his ground. “Yes, sir. It is.”
“All right, I guess there’s only one thing to say—”
I wince and steel myself for what’s about to come. Mom knows about my relationship with Ryder, but I failed to mention anything to my father.
“It’s about time you got your head out of your ass where my daughter’s concerned.”
My eyes widen as my mouth falls open.
Ryder blinks before a slow grin slides across his face. Then he stretches out a hand and shakes my dad’s. “Does that mean we have your blessing to see each other?”
My parents share a look before he says, “I wouldn’t think of trying to keep you apart.”