Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 79670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
“Wow,” Vivienne says, turning and looking at me as I shimmy my shoulders, “that is so perfect.”
I lift the hem of the dress to stand up and look at myself. There are five dressing rooms, which are full of half of the women in my family. The podium in the middle faces three different mirrors. I turn to the side, seeing that it fits me perfectly, before looking at the front again. The one-sleeved, long black dress is very simple but very elegant at the same time. It tightens around my waist and hugs me all the way down to the floor. “It’s chic but then…” I move my leg out of the dress, and you see the slit up to my thigh. “Sassy.”
“I knew that dress would look great on you,” Zara gushes, coming over now to stand beside me. “You are going to have them eating out of your hand.” I smile down at her, ignoring that I feel a ping in my heart at the same time.
Two nights ago was one of the worst nights of my life. Rehashing that shit, over and over again, was draining. When I woke up on Sunday morning, I bailed on lunch, not sure anyone would be able to see through my bullshit of “I’m just tired.” I was tired, but my eyes were also puffy, and my head felt like it would blow up. So instead, I got two plastic Ziploc bags full of ice, trying to bring it down enough for today. I thought I was over it, to be honest, it was in the past, and there was nothing I could have done to change things. But clearly, it still got to me. At least now it was over with for good. We hashed it out, and he left. This time, I’m sure it was for good.
“Should I bring a date?” I look over at Franny, who has just walked out of the changing room wearing a V-neck, spaghetti-strapped, champagne silk gown with an accordion skirt, showing off her little bump.
“A date?” Vivienne and Franny say at the same time, which makes me roll my eyes. I pick up the bottom of my dress, going over to the dressing room and grabbing my cell phone.
“What are you talking about?” Abigail asks as she steps out of her dressing room looking like an angel with her dress.
I hold up my finger and call my cousin, Michael. “Please hold,” I mumble, putting him on speakerphone.
He answers after two rings. “Hello,” he huffs, then I hear him breathing heavily.
“Hey,” I say, looking down at the phone, “which one of your teammates can I date?”
I look up and see everyone rolling their lips, waiting for him to answer. They don’t have to wait long. “No one,” he grunts and hangs up on me.
“That asshole.” I am the one shrieking right before I call the oldest cousin I have, Cooper.
“Hey, squirt,” he answers right away, “what’s up?” I can hear he is huffing on his side of the call, and I wonder if he’s in the middle of his workout.
“We have the Horton Foundation Gala this weekend,” I start, “and it’s a big deal since it’s the first he’s doing in Dallas.”
“Are you telling me this or asking?” He chuckles. “Because I know.”
I laugh, but it’s a fake one, and everyone knows. “Anyway, I was wondering if maybe you can set me up with someone from the team.” All he does is laugh, almost hysterically, and all of a sudden, I hear Dylan’s voice.
“Gabriella Stone,” he growls, and Abigail is holding her stomach as she laughs silently as she crosses her legs to stop her from peeing.
“Oh, hey, Dylan.” I pretend I’m surprised he’s on the phone, but knowing Michael, he would have called him to give him a heads-up.
“There is no fucking way you are dating anyone,” he declares, and I can picture him saying this with his hands on his hips.
“Hey,” I snap, “your sister is dating one of your teammates.” I point out to him, looking at Abigail, who smiles proudly. “And having his baby.” Dylan groans out now. “Your cousins.” I look at Franny and Vivi. “Are also dating a couple of them.”
“Gabriella,” he grinds out between clenched teeth. “No, he’ll fall in love with you, and you’ll eat him alive.” I roll my eyes. “And then he’ll be all brokenhearted singing Celine Dion songs.” I can’t help but laugh at that one.
“What if he breaks my heart?” I counter, not sure what else to say but also knowing there is no way he will hook me up with anyone on his team.
“Then we have to kill him,” he says so matter-of-factly, it’s like it’s common knowledge. “So it’s a no-go all the way around.”
“Ugh, fine. I’ll do it myself,” I concede before hanging up.