Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
“Oh, right. We’re supposed to have dinner with my dad. I can’t. But I’ll see you on Friday.”
“Can I call you?”
She dismisses the idea with a quick shake of her head. “No, I don’t like talking on the phone.”
“Texts, then?”
She shrugs. “Umm…” Bex looks at her friend for confirmation that this is okay which strikes me as odd.
Why does her friend give a shit if I text her?
“Yeah,” her friend says. “Text her later.”
I hold out my hand. “We haven’t met. I’m Preston Parker. And you are?”
“Taylor Bradshaw. Bex’s roommate.”
“You forgot teammate,” Bex says, now looking at me. “Taylor is also my best friend.”
“Nice to meet you, Taylor.” I shove the glove back on my hand. “Nice seeing you, Bex. I’ll text you later, okay?”
She nods.
I leave Bex and Taylor behind and head toward the locker room to catch up with the rest of my team.
“Parker.” Coach Bryant summons me with a stern look on his face. “Can I have a word?”
Shit.
“Yeah, Coach.”
“Stay away from Bex,” he growls. “She’s not like other girls.”
“That’s a good thing,” I admit.
It’s also the reason I have trouble staying away from her.
“I mean, she’s not like the girls you date… if you catch my drift.”
“I’m taking her to meet my mom on Saturday. Is that not okay?”
His expression softens, the corners of his mouth slowly turning up into a smile. “Yes, that’s fine and nice of you to arrange. Promise me you will keep it at that. Someday, you’ll be a star just like your dad. Bex won’t fit into that equation. She’s had enough disappointments in her life, she doesn’t need another one.” He pats me on the back. “You get what I’m saying, right?”
“Sure,” I mutter, somewhat annoyed. “I got it, Coach.”
Sitting on the edge of the mattress with my cell phone in hand, I call my mom.
On the first ring, her voice blares through the speaker. “You’ve got Coach.”
My mom is all business all the time.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Oh, hey sweetie. I didn’t realize it was you. I’m driving over the Brooklyn Bridge right now to see a client. I didn’t even look at the caller ID. Is everything okay?” She sounds worried. “How come you’re calling on my business line?”
“I didn’t even notice,” I confess. “I hit the first number on my speed dial.”
“So, what’s up? Everything okay at school?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine, Mom.” I lay back on my bed holding the phone to my ear. “I’m bringing someone with me on Saturday.”
“Who is it? Do I know him?”
“No. It’s a girl.”
“Ooh, this is great.” She can’t contain her excitement, her voice rising to a higher octave. “You’re finally letting me meet a girl you’re dating. About time.”
I laugh. “No, Mom, it’s nothing like that. You know I don’t date.”
She chuckles. “Like father, like son. Maybe this girl will be the one to change your mind. I did that for your dad.”
I make a gagging sound, and she laughs.
My parents are so sappy, still so madly in love after twenty-five years together. They showed me a love like theirs is possible, but I’m not ready for all of that. I have my career to worry about.
“She’s not the one, Mom. Her dad is my coach. Coach Bryant already gave me the lecture about dating his daughter. She plays basketball for Strick U. She’s a big fan of yours.”
“Well, I would love to meet Coach Bryant’s daughter. He’s doing an incredible job with you and the team.” I can almost hear the smile crossing her lips. “What’s her name?”
“Bex.”
“Bex? Is that a real name?”
I laugh. “I thought the same thing the first time I heard her name. It’s short for Bexley.”
“Ah, that’s cute. I lucked out and had all boys, so I didn’t have to think of crazy names for girls.”
“John and Peter,” I say. “How unoriginal could you get?”
“Hey,” she shoots back. “Your grandfather’s name was John. The name John Parker means something to hockey fans.”
“And yet you let Uncle Jameson name me after his favorite comic book character.”
“A bet is a bet, Peter Parker.” Even my mom mocks me. “Names build character.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, thanks for that.”
“Hey, sweetie, I have a phone call beeping on the other line. Can I call you right back?”
“No, that’s okay. I have to get going anyway. Jamie’s new girl is making us dinner.”
“Jamie has a girlfriend?” She just about squeals.
“No, Mom, she’s some random chick. I’ll see you on Saturday.”
“Okay, love you, baby.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
Then, the line goes dead.
Chapter Six
PRESTON
“Hey, dick,” Drake says to Jamie. “Would you stop feeding your girl with your fingers? The rest of us have to eat from that bowl.”
Jamie sets down the bowl of penne pasta on the marble island in the kitchen, his fingers covered in spaghetti sauce. He steps out from between Shannon’s legs and helps her down from the counter. She giggles when he whispers something into her ear.