Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
There have been plenty of times when I’ve wanted to tell Penelope exactly why I had to leave her back home in Seattle so I could come here to pursue a career in fighting, but I can never bring myself to do that either.
If she knew how much debt our parents left behind or how close the mortgage company is to taking their—now our—house, she’d probably hang up her skates and try to help me pay for things.
Then we’d both be forced to live a shitty existence…
Knock! Knock! Knock!
“Open this door, Mr. Carter!” The motel manager is suddenly on the other side of my door. “I know you’re in there!”
I remain silent.
“Open up now, or else!” He knocks again, but I stay still.
“I’ll be back for this week’s rent money on Sunday!” he yells. “If you don’t have it by then, you better be out of this fucking place!” His heavy footsteps trail down the concrete, and I let out a sigh.
Pulling out my wallet, I count all the money I have: One hundred eighty dollars and fifty-eight cents.
That’s barely enough to cover the cost of this poor excuse of a room, let alone gas and food. To make matters worse, I promised to buy Penelope a new thousand-dollar costume next month.
Fuck…
In desperate need of fresh air, I grab my gym bag and step outside. In the distance, a billboard boasts, “Multi-SportsPlex. Open twenty-four hours.”
I head down the street and take out my cell phone, calling the same number I dial like clockwork once a week. It’s a secret call that makes me feel like I’m doing something extra to help Penelope besides sending money and playing guardian from afar.
It rings once.
It rings twice.
“You’ve reached Tatiana Brave,” a soft voice says. “I’m unable to take your call at the moment, so please leave a message at the sound of the beep.”
Beep!
“This is Penelope’s brother Travis Carter again,” I say. “Stop calling my little sister a bitch, and get comfortable being in second place for the rest of your career.” I pause. “Oh, and your skating is mediocre at best. At. Best.”
After ending the call, I rush up the steps of the SportsPlex.
I swipe a stolen member card against the keypad and tug on the door, but it doesn’t open. I try another entrance, then another, but the results are the same.
This has to be a mistake.
Unwilling to give up, I walk to another side of the building, stopping dead in my tracks when I see a curly-haired woman clinging to the security fence.
What the hell…
“Ugh!” She jumps down, then she launched her body against the gate again. “Come on!”
I watch her repeat this failed routine five more times before clearing my throat.
“I take it that you’re also having problems getting inside tonight?”
She gasps and suddenly stills.
“No, I’m… I’m—” she stutters, keeping her gaze away from me. “I’m just trying to get my stuff back. I accidentally left it over there, see?”
She points to a grey backpack on the other side of the gate, and it’s clear it didn’t get there by accident.
“If I didn’t know any better,” I say, “I’d think you were trying to trespass.”
“Well, let’s assume that you don’t know any better, so you can walk away and mind your business.”
“I guess I’ll report you then.” I step closer, trying to catch a glimpse of her face. “It’s a crime to be here if you’re not a paying member.”
“Seriously?” She spins around to face me, and I forget whatever the hell I was about to say.
I force myself to blink a few times to make sure I’m not fucking dreaming.
I could stare at you for years…
In fucking awe, I take in her deep hazel eyes and her puffy pink lips. The beige tracksuit she’s wearing complements her cinnamon-kissed skin and hugs her curves. Even though she’s glaring at me, she’s the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen in my life.
I can’t think of anyone who’s a close second.
Or third…
“I wasn’t bothering you,” she says, revealing a set of pearly whites. “From the looks of that muscle shirt you’re wearing, you don’t strike me as gym security or a police officer, so please go bother someone else.”
I continue staring at her, noticing the small beauty mark above her upper lip, the dimples in her cheeks.
“Wait… Are you security?” She lets down her guard. “I’m a real member here, and it’s supposed to be open twenty-four hours, so someone on staff made a mistake and locked—”
“If I help you get over the gate,” I interrupt her, “will you open a door on the west side for me?”
“Well, I…” She hesitates. “I’ll have to think about that.”
“Excuse me?”
“I didn’t stutter.” She looks dead-ass serious. “I don’t know you, and I can’t afford to be the inspiration behind a Law & Order: SVU episode at this stage in my career.”