Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 86052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“Believe me, it’s not,” I laugh, more than thrilled about the idea of spending the next few nights locked in his strong arms. It’s not much different than what we’re doing now.
“Haven’t you been wanting to go to one of his games?” she asks. “If the bar is closed, it’s not like you’ll be working. Why don’t you go? I think the Dragons are playing tonight.”
Hmmm, interesting.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of it first. A wide smile takes over my face as excitement drums through my veins. “He does have a game tonight,” I confirm. “I could surprise him.”
“Sounds like a good plan,” she laughs, my excitement becoming contagious.
An idea hits me, and I suddenly feel a wave of nervousness. “Do, umm . . . do you want to come with me?” I ask, realizing that Zara could potentially make a really amazing friend. After all, I don’t get any weird vibes from her like I did with Lex.
Zara beams up at me. “I thought you’d never ask.”
“Really?” I gasp, my eyes widening with surprise. “I think it starts at seven.”
“Okay. Did you want to go for some cocktails first?” she asks. “I mean, we finish at five, so we’ll have a few hours to kill.”
I can’t help but grin. I think we’re gonna get along just fine.
Zara and I make our way up the grandstand, and I’m already in awe. The place is packed, and I’m surprised to see just how many people I recognize from the bar. We practically stumble up the stairs after having a few too many cocktails, but I don’t have the decency to be ashamed of my near drunkenness because I think I’ve actually made a good friend.
We find our seats, and the moment we get comfortable, I rip into the packaging of the jersey I just bought with Xander’s name and number on the back. The moment I pull it over my head, something settles within me, like I’m finally getting the chance to show the world that Xander is mine.
Zara hands me a massive foam finger, and we both break into giggles as we pull them on. I can’t wait until Xander comes out and sees me. With the foam finger and jersey, I don’t know if he’ll be embarrassed or proud as shit, but I’m willing to find out.
Zara disappears, saying she’s hungry, and she returns not long after with some hot dogs and what looks to be a calendar. She takes her seat and instantly breaks into the calendar, making me crack into laughter at what I see. The calendar is filled with half-naked images of the hockey team. “Apparently, it’s a new tradition that some chick started last year,” Zara tells me, relaying the information the girl at the stand gave her.
She continues to flick through the pages, and I stop her when I recognize one hell of a sexy body. “Wait,” I say a little too loudly. “That’s Xander.”
“That’s your boyfriend?” she asks wide-eyed. “Holy shit, woman. That man is hot.”
“I know,” I grin as I practically drool over the calendar. “I’m going to have to buy my own calendar.”
“Indeed you will,” she agrees as she turns to the next page. “Who the hell is this guy?”
“That would be Aaron,” I tell her. “He’s sorta become Xander’s new bestie over the last week.”
“Is he single?” she asks with interest.
“I, umm . . . I actually have no idea,” I say, realizing that’s probably something I should know about the guy by this point. After all, he welcomed himself over three nights this week.
“Well, that settles it,” she declares, practically drooling over the pages. “You’re introducing me after the game.”
“Deal,” I laugh.
Twenty minutes later, Zara and I have downed some pretty questionable hot dogs, and the stands are at capacity. The atmosphere blows me away with the number of fans that have shown up tonight. It’s insane. There are hardly any fans here for the opposition, not that I’ve really taken notice of who the opposition is. All that matters to me is that I get to see Xander play.
Music blasts through the arena, and the crowd begins to roar as they start the Dragon’s war cry. My eyes flick to the hallway with a massive Dragon’s banner above it, watching for the moment the team emerges.
As if on cue, Jaxon appears in the hallway during the war cry, leading the boys out to the ice. Two girls a few rows down are going nuts, and I recognize one of them as his girlfriend. I’m pretty sure her name is Cassie, but I don’t really get a chance to think about it as Xander flies out of the hallway looking like a fucking god.
Zara and I jump to our feet, cheering and waving our foam fingers in the air. I scream out his name and grin wide as he somehow hears my voice over the massive crowd. His dark eyes fly up to the grandstand, and within seconds, he’s found me. His whole face lights up, and goddamn, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so happy. I cup my hands around my mouth and scream out, “I love you.”