Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
I scramble for a good reason to be at his daughter’s that doesn’t include fucking her with her goddamn vibrator. “Yeah. I ran out of cat treats, and I grabbed Aurora some smoky bacon chips because she mentioned she couldn’t find any when she went shopping earlier in the week. I was dropping them off.”
The elevator doesn’t seem like a great place to tell him the truth, since there’s no way to escape his wrath in here, but isn’t that what I deserve anyway? I hate seeing Aurora so anxious about it, and it makes me want to fix it. I almost open my mouth to say something, but the words lodge in my throat. She expressly asked me to wait. To hold off. To give her time. I need to trust that not yet will become now. It’s harder than I want it to be. My past creeps into my present, the fear she’ll just change her mind sinking its claws in. I could push her away if I say something now. And the idea of losing her…that’s a wound I’m not sure I’ll heal from. I can’t let her go.
He smiles and claps me on the shoulder. “I appreciate you always looking out for her, even the little things, man.”
I rub my lips, trying to camouflage my guilt, but my fingers still smell like Aurora. I shove them in my pockets. “It’s not a big deal.”
“It’s just nice to know I can count on you to back me up when it comes to my baby girl. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.”
Shame is a heavy rock in my stomach as I force a smile. I know it won’t be easy, but Aurora and I need to figure out how to tell him before it’s too late.
Roman has a couple of errands to run after our workout. He invites me along, but I feel like a bag of garbage, so I head back to my place. As I’m letting myself into my penthouse, Zara pokes her head out of Roman’s door.
She’s wearing a floor-length skirt, a flowy top, and her long hair hangs over her shoulder in a braid. I see Aurora in her lean frame, dark eyes, and soft smile. “Hi, Hollis. Do you have a minute?”
“Yeah. Of course. Come on in.” I step aside, and she crosses into my place.
I’ve been waiting for this since she caught Aurora sneaking back in on her birthday, two nights ago. According to Aurora, she promised not to say anything to Roman. I suggested maybe now was the time to tell him. But Aurora nearly broke down in tears, worried about how it would affect the rest of Zara’s visit, so I relented. I hope Zara hasn’t changed her mind.
“Can I get you anything? Something to drink?”
“A glass of water would be nice, thank you.” She glances around my place. One of Aurora’s scrunchies is on the floor. Malone has decided they’re his new favorite toy.
I offer her a seat in the living room and excuse myself to pour us both water. It gives me a moment to collect myself. Zara’s easygoing, but I can only imagine how this looks from her side.
Postie has already made himself at home in her lap on the couch by the time I return. Malone is snuggled by her side. I take a seat in the chair across from her, and Malone defects to my lap. Thankfully he doesn’t start the blanket humping. It’s like he knows it’s inappropriate in current company.
“I think you’re a great guy, Hollis, and I believe you will treat Aurora well. But I have some real concerns.”
We’re cutting straight to the chase, apparently. “We plan to talk to Roman.”
“Aurora mentioned that.” She strokes Postie, who purrs up a storm, oblivious to the tense conversation taking place. “Let me be very clear. I understand that everyone sees me as a free-loving hippie, which I am. But it’s the openness of my relationship with North, and our willingness to communicate and set clear boundaries, that allows this. How do you think this will go over with Roman? How will he feel knowing you’ve been dating our daughter behind his back?” Her tone isn’t confrontational or combative; it’s a question she wants answered.
I go with honesty. “I think he’ll be very upset.”
She nods slowly. “Especially since you’re intentionally keeping it from him.”
“I’d rather take Roman’s anger than create more stress for Aurora. Especially with how much she has going on. The idea of her being upset unravels me,” I reply.
Zara nods again. “And that’s why you’re so intent on waiting? Because you think she can’t handle more stress?”
These reasons are convenient and hide my own deeper fears—that Aurora will realize she can do better, that the baggage I’m carrying around is more than she’s prepared to deal with. I run my hands down my thighs, considering my words carefully. “Aurora is used to taking care of Roman as much as he takes care of her. She’s the one who cheers him up on a bad day. She takes care of him when he’s sick, or takes a hard hit on the ice. He’s as much her world as she is his. She’s concerned about Roman’s reaction, and how it will impact the team dynamic going into playoffs. Roman’s my best friend. I hate to admit, but she’s not wrong. It will mess with things on the ice.”