Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80045 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80045 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“I have a date,” I admit.
Coach clears his throat and then starts organizing his desk as he nods and waves toward the door. “Off you go then.”
The sudden shift in his demeanor has me wondering if he's getting all choked up about this possibly being one of our last heart-to-hearts together.
I want to assure him that I have no intention of going anywhere, but I'd be lying if I said there isn’t something to think about.
The chance to play for the team I've admired my whole life is hard to pass up, even if it's just a conversation with the owner that I have no intention of truly following through with.
And as I get into my car and head toward Blakely’s apartment for our upstanding tradition after a loss—ice cream and Netflix at her place—I realize that there is only one person I want to talk to about this, and that's her.
I park outside her unit and grab the wrapped presents I have in my car from my shopping trip the other day with the guys. This is the first time I've been over to her house since then, but she’s had her Christmas tree up since November and these will go perfectly underneath it.
Blakely opens the door before I even knock, no doubt her newly installed cameras alerting her to my presence. She throws her arms around me, her dark blonde hair damp from a shower she must’ve taken right after the game. She's dressed in a simple pair of pajama pants and T-shirt, smelling like a dream and feeling warm in my arms as I walk us into her apartment and shut the door behind us.
She shifts out of my arm, eyes widening at the two gift boxes in my hand, and I smile at her before heading over to her tree set up in the living room and slide them underneath it.
“You didn't have to do that,” she says as I turn my attention back to her.
“Yeah, but I wanted to,” I say.
“Well, I haven't wrapped yours yet, but it'll be under the tree come Christmas morning. Or the day after Christmas, whenever you’re back from seeing your mom.”
I nod at her, a million thoughts racing through my head as I round her couch and sink into it, leaning my head against the back of it as I breathe out slowly. I feel the weight shift, and Blakely is by my side giving me a sympathetic look.
“I'm sorry about the loss,” she says, planting a soft kiss on my lips before pulling back.
I smooth my hand up and down her back, drawing her just a little bit closer. “It's all right, that's not what's bothering me.”
Her eyes widen a bit, the sky blue of them churning with something I can't quite place. “What is it?” she asks softly.
“I'll tell you about it later,” I say focusing all my attention on her. “Your text earlier said you had something you wanted to talk about. I'm guessing it wasn't ice cream flavors for the night?” I tease.
She forces out a laugh, and the hesitation lining her features has me sitting up a little straighter.
“What is it?”
“It’s kind of heavy,” she says. “Maybe not the best thing after a loss—”
“There's no way you can't tell me, not after that. What's going on?” My stomach churns, apprehension slicing down my spine.
“I saw Brian a couple of days ago—”
“Why didn't you tell me?” I cut her off before I can think better of it, cringing slightly as I sit up and lean my elbows on my knees.
“I didn't think I had to run everything by you,” she says a little defensive.
“You don't,” I say. “But I thought we agreed that you shouldn't be reaching out to him or indulging him in his—”
“I wasn't indulging anything,” she snaps, pushing off the couch to stand like she needs the distance to breathe.
I take a breath, closing my eyes and inhaling deeply to get myself back on solid ground.
“Hey,” I say. “I'm sorry. It just took me off guard. Please continue.”
Some of the defensiveness shakes off of her, and she nods. “I met up with him in a public place,” she adds, eyeing me. “And I laid out what would happen if he kept up with his antics. Not only threatening him with the protection order we've talked about but also with the real threat that bothered him, which was jeopardizing his chance with that reality show and his career in general.”
“Damn, that must have felt good,” I say, pride rippling through me at how damn strong she is. The woman was able to look her emotionally abusive ex in the eyes and tell him to fuck around and find out. “But wait, how were you able to threaten his career again?” I felt so out of the loop and was taken right back to my shopping trip with my friends and how they seemed to know more about her than I did. About the girl I’m totally in love with.