Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 107687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Well, if that changes, you know where I am.”
“I do.”
“Good. Let me know if you need anything.”
“I will, thank you,” I say, and she leaves with a wave.
I wave back before opening my drawer to get my charger when I hear Angela say, “Oh, excuse me. Sorry.”
I look up, and to my surprise, my peepaw is in my doorway. “No problem, sweetheart.”
I bring my brows in, my heart kicking up in speed at the sight of him. “Peepaw?”
And just like that, my excitement is gone and replaced by pure dread.
thirty-five
Dimitri
After our skate and then a small meeting about how the roster announcements would be handled, Flynn and I head to the lounge for some food. Once we load up our plates, we head out to the patio to eat since everyone is in the lounge watching highlights and being loud as fuck. Plus, I just don’t want to be around them. Everyone’s anxiety is high, and they’re nervous about who the roster will consist of. I’m not the least bit concerned, but I’d rather be by myself, especially since I can tell that Flynn is worried.
“If I don’t make the roster, my dad will disown me, won’t he?”
I scoff at that. “Highly doubt it.”
“My brother will tease me ruthlessly.”
I nod. “So will I.”
“Great,” he mutters, taking a bite of his pizza. “I hate this. Remember when we were training for the Olympic team and we had to wait to see who made the roster? I feel like that right now.”
I give him a pointed look. “But we both made it, and we brought home the bronze.”
“Should have been gold,” he says, and I nod.
“Yeah, but none of that matters. Everything is fine. We’re good,” I remind him, and then I throw a fry at him. “Don’t be all in your feelings. It’s all going to work out fine.”
Teddy and Bleecker come out and join us. “You’re right. We’re going to make it.”
“We are,” I agree, taking a long pull of my water bottle. Almost downing it.
“Well, we all know you will, at least,” Teddy calls to me, and I glance up at him. “Especially after everyone saw you with Austen at the wedding.”
Before I can say anything, Flynn snaps, “Fuck off, Teddy.”
“It’s true. Why wouldn’t he make it when he’s sleeping with the GM?”
Anger vibrates inside me, but once more, Flynn is popping off. “Fuck you again. Austen isn’t the GM here, so it doesn’t matter.”
“But her grandpa owns the farm team. She has pull, we all know it.”
I make a face. “I’m not going to be offended that you assumed my girl would put me on a team if I didn’t deserve it.”
“Exactly,” Flynn says. “She didn’t even like him until, like, yesterday.”
I look to my cousin. “I mean, damn.”
Flynn shrugs. “What? I’m not even sure she really likes you,” he teases, and I chuckle.
“Fuck you.”
“Love you too,” he calls back before looking back at Teddy. “So, yeah, don’t talk about shit you don’t know about.”
My cousin will always be my ride-or-die. “It’s cool, Flynn.”
Teddy looks at me. “I’m just saying, first you get the chance to come here after playing in Russia because of who you know, and then you start dating the future GM of another team. Seems suspect.”
“The only suspect thing is your whack-ass wrister. Don’t worry about me or mine. Worry about yourself.”
Flynn points to me. “Or since his girlfriend has such pull, worry that she’ll make sure you don’t make the team since you want to disrespect her professionalism.”
Anger moves across Teddy’s face. “She said I was a great player in my meeting and I made it.”
“Oh,” Flynn says, waving his hand with a mocking voice. “So, you shouldn’t worry then, right? She won’t use her pull to change everyone’s mind?”
Teddy exhales. “Whatever, dude. Come on, Bleecker.”
We watch as they head back in, and Flynn meets my gaze. “You didn’t have to do that,” I tell him.
“Fuck them,” he says simply. “Austen isn’t like that, and I don’t appreciate it. Plus, you’ve worked your ass off. The spot is yours because you worked for it.”
Pride swells in my chest. “Thanks, Flynn.”
We share a look, but then my phone sounds. It’s my girl. I bring my brows together because while it’s just her words, I can feel her anxiety.
“Austen’s grandpa is here. She’s worried.”
“Can’t today just be easy?” he asks, and I laugh at that.
“For real, though,” I agree as I text her back. “I love fucking with her.”
Flynn gives me a look. “I know. You’ve been doing that since you met her.” This is true. As I type back the naughtiest of things, a grin plays on my lips. “Dude, you’re so in love with her. It’s gross.”
I look up at him. “Huh?”
“Oh, are you not aware you’re in love?”
I hold his gaze, and I don’t know that I can admit it to him but not tell Austen yet. “I am well aware, thank you very much.”