Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 83927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“Oh my God. Shut up,” I groan, wanting to talk about anything but this. “But for the record, I was extremely impressed with what I saw. I’m just not ready to date yet. Not after what happened with Brett.”
“Woah. Slow down, cowgirl. Who said anything about dating? Whatever happened to just all-out, down-and-dirty, fun sex? I’m sure he would be down for that. Actually, I’m certain he’d be down for that. I bet he’s a bomb in bed.”
“No, you know I can’t do that,” I tell her. “Sex for me is more than just a quick pump and dump. There has to be a connection. I’m a relationship girl, not a one-nighter like you.”
“Hey, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it,” she grins.
“Yeah, that’s never going to happen,” I scoff. “Now, what do you think of the photos? I think we have enough to get the first story out. I liked the idea of the ‘Hockey Hottie of the Week’ bio.”
“Yeah, I liked that too,” she says as we make our way out of the ice rink. “Did you just come up with that? I don’t remember talking about it before.”
“Yeah, it just kind of popped into my mind so I rolled with it,” I tell her, getting all too excited about the prospects of how we can do this. “Maybe we should start with the juniors, so there are some familiar faces from last season before moving on to the newbies and finishing it with the popular guys.”
“I agree,” she says. “Now, let’s get home so we can show Jared these pictures. He’s going to die when he sees this.”
Getting back to our small cottage, I make my way down to my bedroom while digging through my bag to find my phone. After barging through my bedroom door, I drop down onto my bed and get comfortable as I bring up my mother’s number.
“Dani Bear, how are you my sweet girl?” my mother’s high voice beams after the second ring. “When are you coming home? We miss you,” she says as I hear Dad calling out “Hello” in the background.
God, I miss them. It must have been Christmas when I last saw them, and that nearly sent me broke. I’d do anything to be able to afford another trip home, even if it’s only for a day or two.
“Hi, Mom,” I smile, feeling something warm within my chest. “I miss you too. Hopefully, I can make it home in the next few weeks.”
“That would be great, darling. How are your classes going?” she asks, falling into our usual weekly conversation.
“So far, so good,” I tell her. “We got this huge assignment in communications that’s worth fifty percent of our grade and I’m paired with Sophie, which is great. The only downfall is that we’re stuck being the hockey team’s groupies for the season.”
“Really?” she questions, a little too interested. I can practically hear the smile in her voice. I imagine her flopping down on their old couch, her dark hair high up on her head. “Why do you make it sound like such a bad thing? I bet there are a lot of good-looking boys on that team. Have you met them yet?”
“Mom, I’m not interested,” I groan, fibbing through my teeth. I haven’t been able to get the image of Miller Cain dropping his towel out of my head. “I told you, I’m not interested in dating anyone. And even if I were, it’s not going to be one of those guys, no matter how hot they are. I’m not about to mix business with pleasure.”
“Come on, darling. Don’t you think it’s about time you got back on the horse?”
I put my phone down and hit speakerphone as I make my way across my room to pull out my nail polishes. “No Mom, I don’t. Why are we having this conversation again? You know how I feel about all of this.”
“Baby,” she scolds. “It’s been months since you left Brett. Maybe finding someone new will be good for you. Dating is healthy, and I’m not sure if you’re aware, but sex is fun. At least, it is with your daddy.”
Holy shit, this woman is going to be the death of me. Unfortunately, I’m all too used to her comments. I just wish she wouldn’t go and bring up Brett.
Letting out a heavy sigh, I ignore her sex is supposed to be fun jab and concentrate on what’s important. “I’m not looking to date, Mom. It’s way too soon. I just want to enjoy being single. Besides, if the right guy comes along, then he comes along. But until then, I’m not actively searching for him.”
Glancing through the polishes and pulling out my favorite red, I listen as she goes on. “Why do you have to be so difficult? You get that from your father, you know?” she laughs as I prop a foot up and start painting my nails. “But one day, whether you like it or not, some amazing guy is going to come along and sweep you off your feet. I just hope you’re open to him when he does.”