Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
The same feel and smell hangs in the air.
The people.
Athletes, fans, family.
Kids racing around, either stopping at the arcade to spend their parents’ money or at the concession stand for popcorn, warm pretzels, and fizzy drinks.
Sitting beside Viola and watching Wolf in goal had been even more painful than I’d anticipated. A physical ache had bloomed to life in my chest until it was impossible to ignore. By the time the game was over, it felt like I was suffocating and couldn’t breathe.
“Are you sure?” he asks quietly, his fingers tightening around mine. “Because we can go somewhere else. I just thought it was something fun we could do. Happy memories from our past.”
I suck an unsteady breath into my lungs before ripping my gaze away and staring at the building that looms in front of us. “No, it’s fine.” I pull out my phone before glancing at the screen. “I have somewhere to be in three hours, so I won’t be able to stay long.”
Emotion flashes in his eyes before it’s quickly masked. “That won’t be a problem.” He nods toward the building. “Should we head inside?”
My teeth scrape across my lower lip. “Yeah.”
With our hands clasped, he tows me toward the wide stone steps that lead to the front entrance. The one time I was here, it was packed with people, and everyone had been decked out in Wildcats colors. Some had painted their faces orange and black. Most were wearing player jerseys. It hadn’t escaped me that a lot of them had been sporting Wolf’s.
We push through the glass door and into the spacious lobby. Banners hang from the ceiling with photos of Wildcats players. That’s all it takes for a wave of emotion to crash over me, threatening to suck me under. A thick lump rises in my throat as I take in the space.
Other than a few people milling around, the place is quiet.
“Let’s grab a pair of skates for you.”
Wolf tugs me toward a window where a guy our age lounges, reading a textbook. It’s only when he glances up that I realize it’s Anthony. He pops to his feet as his face lights up with recognition.
“Hey, Fallyn! It’s good to see you.”
“Hi. I didn’t know you worked here.”
“I’ve been doing it since freshman year. It’s only a handful of hours a week, but the extra cash helps.”
Now that I have to pay for groceries and necessities myself, I totally get it.
I glance at the man at my side, and a shiver of awareness dances down my spine because that’s exactly what he’s become.
A man.
All of Wolf’s boyishness has disappeared. The fullness of youth no longer fills his cheeks. Instead, his face is all hard lines and angles. Dark stubble coats both his chin and cheeks. His green eyes suck me in, reminding me of the forest near our cottage in the summertime. Bright gold color rings the pupils. There are so many varied flecks that make up the shade.
As a kid, I would sit on his chest and stare into his eyes, trying to count all the varying hues. He always laid perfectly still and allowed me to do it.
I blink away those memories and refocus my attention on Anthony. I haven’t run into him since he asked me out again.
Wolf eyes him up with a frown. “You two know each other?”
I shift. “Um, yeah. We’ve had a couple of classes together.”
Anthony takes the opportunity to add, “We also went out a few times last year.”
Wolf raises a brow and steps a little closer so that our bodies are touching. “Is that so?”
I clear my throat, hoping to change the subject. “We should probably get our skates.”
“Are you still the same size as before?” When I nod, Wolf says, “Can I get a pair in a size eight?”
Disappointment flashes across the other guy’s face as his gaze bounces between the two of us. “Sure. Do you need anything else?”
“Nope.” Wolf nods toward the rink. “Are there a lot of people here for open skate?”
Anthony looks away just long enough to flick a quick glance toward the sheet of ice. “Maybe four or five. It’s been pretty slow this afternoon.” He hands over the skates. “Let me know if these don’t work.”
Wolf grabs them before inspecting the blades. “They’ll be fine.”
“So, Fallyn…have you given any more thought—"
Wolf throws an arm over my shoulder, steering me away from the counter and toward the arena before Anthony can finish.
“It was nice running into you,” I call out before turning to Wolf with a glare. “That was rude.”
“Trust me, it was in his best interest that I get you out of there before he asked you out.” His voice dips. “Again.”
“It was just a few dates,” I mutter, hating that I feel the need to explain the situation.