Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“Give it to me,” I growl. My teeth are clenched so tightly that my molars ache. It takes effort to keep from lashing out and jumping down her throat.
I fucking hate when people read my papers or see my grades. In elementary school, it was an endless source of embarrassment. After all these years, that feeling has never subsided. It doesn’t matter if there’s an explanation for it. I’m sure as shit not about to share that with Jenna.
She waves me away. “Just give me a minute and let me read this.”
“I asked you to give it back. So how about you just do it?”
“Are all your classes going this well?”
That question sends another tidal wave of humiliation crashing over me as I clamp my lips together, refusing to give her an answer. It’s just easier to go numb and block out the shame that tries to eat me alive.
When I remain silent, she tosses the paper onto the desk before swinging around to face me.
“That’s all right. I doubt the university gives a damn if you pass your classes.” A smile tips the corners of her lips. “Not when you’re busy winning championships for them.” She gives me a little wink. “Personally speaking, I don’t mind my hockey players a little slow on the uptake. Just as long as they know how to wield their sticks.”
My chest constricts as the comment circles around in my brain. I didn’t think it was possible to be any more pissed off.
It takes effort to force out the question and not lose my shit. “Excuse me?”
She shrugs. “I’m just saying that the only thing that really matters is that you’re going to the NHL.”
Her bluntness is enough to steal the air from my lungs.
“The only thing that really matters is that you’re going to the NHL.”
The muscles in my belly clench as even more heat stings my cheeks until it feels like they’re on fire.
When I continue to stare, she moves closer and twines her arms around my neck.
Like hell that’s going to happen now.
My fingers shackle her wrists before prying them loose as I take a giant step in retreat. This girl can go fuck herself, because I sure as hell won’t be doing it.
Not tonight or any other night in the future.
“You need to leave,” I growl.
I wince, hating the hurt that bleeds into my voice.
She blinks in confusion. “What?”
I speak carefully so there’s no chance of her misinterpreting what I’m about to say. “You need to leave. This is no longer happening.”
Her eyes widen as her face scrunches. “Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack.” I point toward the door. “Get out.”
Her teeth scrape against her lower lip. “Look, I’m sorry. I was joking around. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
“You didn’t.” Huge fucking lie. “I’m just not in the mood anymore.”
Actually, I was never in the mood, but, unlike her, I keep that little tidbit to myself.
“Oh.” There’s an awkward pause as guilt flashes across her expression. “I guess I could help rewrite your paper. I mean, it would take a lot of work, but—”
This girl is off her rocker if she thinks I’d accept a damn thing from her.
My voice grows colder. It’s a wonder she doesn’t get frostbitten. “Do me a favor and close the door on your way out.”
Unable to stomach the sight of Jenna, I swing toward the window.
It’s only when the lock clicks into place that the thick tension filling my shoulder blades loosens and I become more aware of the music that pulses through the floorboards from downstairs.
There’s no way in hell I’m returning to the party.
Although, that decision has nothing to do with the chick I just kicked out.
I’m sure she assumes I’m just another lazy jock coasting by on his athletic prowess, marking time until he can get picked up by a professional team.
And maybe there’s some truth to that.
Given the choice, I’d already be playing in the NHL. Instead of applying at Western, I would have played a year or two of juniors and then entered the draft. Instead, my parents insisted I needed a degree first.
Trust me, I fought that tooth and nail.
But after Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn’t have the heart to argue with her. I would have moved heaven and earth to give her whatever she wanted.
So, here I am—in my junior year at Western.
Unlike my sister, academics have never come easy to me.
Juliette is the resident brainiac of the family.
I, unfortunately, take after my father and was diagnosed with dyslexia in early elementary school. It’s my fucking cross to bear.
As I drop onto the queen-sized bed and stare up at the ceiling, my mind circles back to the shitty English grade Jenna got such a kick out of.
It takes effort to force out the stalled breath trapped in my lungs.