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)
She could probably work there if she had the time.
I can’t help but chuckle. “Then, no. We definitely don’t have any classes together. I’m in the education program.”
Emotion flashes across Juliette’s face as she nods. “I thought about teaching as well, but then decided in high school that pre-med was a better fit.”
That’s all it takes for my mind to tumble back to all the doctors and nurses who helped take care of me. They all have a special place in my heart. Without them and the marvels of medicine, I might not be here right now. I give credit to anyone who wants to pursue a career in the medical field.
“Juliette’s boyfriend plays hockey for the Wildcats,” Elle adds when silence descends.
Grateful for the change in topic, I say, “My brother plays for the East Town Rattlers.”
“We just played that team the other week!”
I nod and say lightly, “Yeah, I was there. It was a hard-fought game.” The last thing I want to do is rub the loss in their faces.
“Juliette’s brother also plays for the Wildcats,” Elle adds conversationally. “His name is Maverick.” There’s a pause. “Maverick McKinnon. Maybe you’ve heard of him?”
My eyes widen, and for a heartbeat, it feels like the air gets knocked from my lungs. “Yeah. I think so.”
Juliette shrugs. “My brother was pretty upset after that game. Actually, the entire team was. They took the loss hard.”
Apprehension skates down my spine.
She leans closer before lowering her voice. “There’s a player on that team that he’s always had issues with. It goes back to high school when the guy stole his girlfriend. Even after all these years, it still gets chippy when they play each other.”
“Oh, ummm…” I shift on the chair, only wanting to shut down this conversation.
With a tilt of her head, interest ignites in her dark eyes. “I’m curious as to who—”
Before she can finish the rest of the sentence, I grab my phone and glance at the screen. A second later, I jerk to my feet. “Shoot. I have a meeting at one. I need to get moving or I’ll be late.” My gaze flicks to Elle, whose brows are pinched together.
“Really? I thought you were free for the afternoon.”
I shake my head as my heart pounds a painful staccato. “Yeah, I thought so too. I can’t believe I forgot about the appointment I set up with my advisor to discuss my summer class load.”
“Bummer.”
I gather up my bag before forcing a smile to my lips. “Brooke and Juliette, it was really nice to meet both of you.”
“You too,” they say in unison.
“Maybe we can all get together another time. You can meet some of our other friends. I bet you’d like them,” Juliette adds.
The sincerity etched across her face has guilt blooming within me.
As much as I’d enjoy getting to know these girls better, that’s not going to happen.
With a quick wave, I rush from the table.
It’s only when I’ve put some distance between myself and Maverick’s sister that a relieved breath escapes from me.
23
Maverick
Impatience simmers beneath my skin as I shove through the locker room doors and toss my stick into the holder before unsnapping the chin strap and yanking the helmet off my head.
Instead of being focused on hockey the way I should be—the way I always have been—I’m more interested in hustling my ass to the library. I’m worried that Willow will attempt to hide from me.
From this.
Whatever the hell this happens to be.
At the moment, I’m none too sure.
I just know that what I feel for her is different.
It’s…more.
The thing that drives me crazy is that this isn’t one sided. I know damn well she feels it too. For some reason, she’s dead set on fighting this.
On fighting me.
And that, I won’t allow.
Ten minutes later, I’m showered and dressed, ready to take off.
Ready to get my hands on her. It’s only been a few days since I’ve touched her, and already I’m going through withdrawals.
I flex my fingers to keep everything loose.
A pit has taken up residence at the bottom of my belly. As much as I’ve been thinking about Willow, I can’t stop thoughts of River from invading my brain too
Did she run back to him after we had sex?
Even the thought of that makes me want to plow my fist through something.
Preferably River Thompson’s face.
There’s no way that douchebag deserves her.
He doesn’t even deserve to look in her direction.
Remembering how he’d allowed another girl to maul him in front of her…
It pisses me the fuck off.
She’s better than that.
Deserves better than that.
After Sabrina, I didn’t bother with relationships. They seemed like more work than they were worth. Especially once I hit college. Division I hockey is no joke. It’s more like a full-time job. Add school to that, and it doesn’t leave much time for anything else. My only interest in the fairer sex was to release a little steam.