Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“Think he’ll handle the takeoff okay?” I ask.
“He’s tough.”
“That’s not a shock. Look at his mom.”
Caroline’s smile looks genuine and then suddenly sad again.
She goes back to focusing on Walker, and I’m left with my thoughts racing. There’s obviously something bothering her. I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise, though. That asshole just told her yesterday that she needs to get married in six months, or she’ll lose the bed and breakfast her mom left her. That would ruin anybody’s day.
I put it all out of my mind and pulled out my phone. I start a text to Vanessa.
Me: Good news. I got the solution to our little problem.
Vanessa: Already? What did you do?
I smile as I type because I’m imagining the look on her face when she reads this.
Me: Got hitched. On the way to Manhattan right now to pick up a ring for my girl. Want to come to the wedding?
Vanessa starts and stops typing about ten times before her reply finally comes through.
Vanessa: Not funny.
Me: Good. Because it wasn’t a joke. You better come to my wedding, or I’ll be offended.
“Something funny?” Caroline asks.
“Oh, no.” I tuck my phone into my pocket. “I was just telling my agent about our arrangement.” I shrug. “She told me I needed to figure something out to make the team feel more secure about me the other night. Needless to say, she wasn’t quite expecting this.”
Caroline laughs. “Yeah. I bet she wasn’t.”
“Picture me,” I muse, almost to myself. “Married and raising someone else’s kid.” I chuckle. “It might be a miracle if anyone buys this.”
Caroline’s expression falls.
“It’ll be alright,” I say, assuming she’s doubting the plan now. “I’ll come up with a way to explain it to the team staff. And I doubt Peter needs to actually believe it’s legit. So long as we sign the papers and do the ceremony, we’ll be golden on your end.” I smile as reassuringly as I can. “We’re good, Caroline. I got this.”
She smiles back, but something is clearly off with her.
I lean back in my seat as the plane accelerates for takeoff. What the hell did I say wrong this time?
5
CAROLINE
Even though my big brother has played in the NHL for years, I’ve never flown on the team’s private jet before. By the time we’ve landed, I feel properly spoiled. I got a glass of non-alcoholic champagne once we were at cruising altitude. The drink was followed by a hot meal and even an in-flight mani-pedi. I asked Jake if the guys had taken advantage of that service, but he just laughed and said he had arranged that one for me.
Conflicted would be a good word to describe how I feel as I get Walker set up in the car at the airport. Jake apparently hired a driver for us, so I won’t have to keep messing with car seats every time we get a new car.
“Thanks,” I say. “You’ve been really thoughtful about all the baby stuff.”
Jake nods. He looks distracted as he’s scrolling something on his phone. It looks like Liam’s social media page at first glance. It’s full of poetry and quotes from famous people, but his page still gets flooded with thirsty women trying to get between his sheets.
“Something wrong?” I ask after a few more moments.
“Liam officially announced he’s retiring later this year. That pretty much completes the picture. Every one of the starters I came up with will be gone soon.”
“Oh,” I say softly. “He didn’t tell you?”
Jake puts the phone away abruptly. “He hinted at it. I probably didn’t want to hear it, so he dropped the topic. I’m sure he’ll tell me next time he sees me.”
I wait for him to say more because I can feel he wants to say more. The driver gets in, gives us a look, and starts driving. He must already know where to go. I’m vaguely impressed he’s not using a GPS, but I guess not everybody is directionally challenged like I am.
“What are you going to do?” I ask.
“I’m going to keep playing until I can’t anymore,” Jake says.
There’s so much tension in him I almost want to reach out and take his hand. I want to comfort him because I can see how much he’s hurting. But I know he’s not the kind of guy who would ever ask for help or comfort. He might even pull away if I try to offer it.
I wait, picking my words carefully. “Jesse used to live for hockey,” I say slowly. “Like, back in high school, he usually didn’t even notice when girls liked him because all he wanted to do was be on the ice. Then it only got worse in college and then the pros. I used to think he’d just skate himself to death one day, alone and single. But then he met Andi. And I think he realized there was something to look forward to after hockey. Now he’s got his family, and it makes him so happy. I know you’ve seen it.”