Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
I didn’t do casual sex in the form of one-night-stands. I had slept with a couple of men, but they were more along the lines of informal or short-lived relationships. I tried to make them work, but I just felt too broken inside to do so. Was I any better now? I didn’t have my parents, but I had support in the form of my boss and best friend. I was headed towards an exciting future in art, thanks to Tori, if all went well. Was there room for a man larger than life in all of that?
I walked to the living room and gingerly sat on the couch. I had my car here and could easily slip out, but I didn’t want to. I rested against the cushions and tried to work through my racing thoughts as I kept drinking the water. The wine last night didn’t help at all as I rarely drank, and I closed my eyes wearily.
I woke to someone shaking me gently. I looked up at Ryder as he grinned down at me. “Hey, baby. Something wrong with the bed?”
“I just came out here for water. I didn’t want to fall asleep.” I blinked and pushed myself up. “What time is it?”
“Seven. I can make us some breakfast before practice. How does that sound?”
“Good.” We went to the kitchen, and he made me a cup of coffee before fixing tea for himself. “It’s a habit in the morning. I’ve grown used to coffee, but a hot cup of tea in the morning is perfect.” He was making a leisurely breakfast of eggs and bacon, and it smelled amazing. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah. I feel great.” I was honest, and he looked into my face for a moment. I had questions for him but no clue how to ask. I was inexperienced in relationships and sex for the most part.
“I have practice today and a game tonight. We leave in two days for a travel week, but I’d like to see you as much as I can before I leave.” His deep, green eyes seemed sincere as he gazed at me, and I smiled.
“I’d like that.” I assumed he wanted to continue this but still hesitated to press the subject.
“You need to know that I am not the kind of guy to sleep around on or off the road. I focus on the game when I’m on the ice, and I’ll see you when I’m not. I like this thing between us.” He gestured as he spoke before plating the food and taking the plates to the table. I followed with the cups and sat down, feeling giddy.
“That’s going to be great, because I’ll be working on my upcoming show a lot. I’m cutting back my hours at the bookstore and planning to spend a lot of time in the studio beyond that.” I wanted to assure him that this could work.
“Come to the game tonight?” he asked. I smiled. “I know that you have issues with it, but I’d love it if you were there. We could do something after.”
“Perfect.” I was going to try to move past my issues with his game. We ate breakfast, and he tenderly kissed me goodbye before we went our separate ways. I drove home tired and dazed at the events of the last several hours. I glanced around to make sure that no one was watching me do the walk of shame. My neighbor Perry would be horrified, and I wanted to keep Ryder to myself right now. I locked my door behind me and went to change into some leggings and a spotted T-shirt, making my way into the studio with more coffee.
I was feeling inspired and looked at the blank canvas in front of me as I smiled. Excitement about the art show filled my veins, and I dabbed the brush into a vibrant orange before my first stroke against the canvas. When I was into my art, I could paint quickly. It just seemed to flow, and I sat back a few hours later to look at the start of my newest painting. It was vibrant and full of life with the vague silhouette of a woman in the background that I would work on next once the paint was dry. Everything I painted seemed to have something to do with Mom, and in this one, she was looking over me as I felt like I was moving forward.
Tori called to see if she should pick me up for the game, and I agreed. I showered and slipped on some distressed skinny jeans and a loose shirt in the team color, scrunching my hair into loose curls. I felt different today, and I thought it showed as I brushed a light powder over my skin.
I walked out to Tori’s car, and she looked carefully into my eyes. “Well, shit. You slept with him.”