Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119680 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 598(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119680 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 598(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
I nod. “I’ll make an appointment with my advisor, see if there’s anything they can do.”
“You won’t know unless you ask, right?” He picks up his fork again, spins more noodles, and taps his temple. “How you doing otherwise?”
“Okay mostly. The doctor said I can move from crutches to a cane.”
Quinn arches a brow. “I can actually see you rocking a cane.”
I laugh. “Winter said the same thing.”
“That girl is something else. You two seem solid.”
“We are. She’s been great about keeping me on track. Doesn’t let me get away with shit.” I duck my head and hide a grin.
Quinn chuckles. “You fit.”
We’re quiet for a minute and then he asks, “You got a timeline for getting back on the ice?”
I swallow past the lump in my throat. “I don’t know. I guess once I’m past the cane stage? I’m not in a rush to get back out there, though.”
“Any particular reason why?”
“First Caroline snaps her tendon, and then Adele almost ends my life. I feel…cursed, maybe?”
He nods. “I get that. I mean, I’m named after my uncle who was beaten to death in front of my dad. I get that they wanted to pay homage or whatever, and it was meant to be a good thing, but a heavy weight comes with it.” He pokes at his pasta. “Accidents happen on the ice all the time. People get hurt. Caroline’s family was a huge part of that problem. If she’d been allowed to have a life outside of figure skating, she might not have been so dependent on you.”
“I feel like what happened with me and Adele is partly my fault because I set so many parameters around our relationship.”
“Have you talked to her yet?” Quinn asks.
I shake my head. “She’s left a couple of voicemails, but I haven’t listened to them.”
“You need closure on this, BJ. Otherwise you’re just spinning worst-case scenarios in your head. You don’t have to do it now, but when you feel like you can handle it, have that conversation so you can move on.”
I run my hands through my hair. “You’re right. I know you’re right. I’m just…scared, I guess.”
“We all play a part, BJ. It doesn’t help to hold on to blame. Make peace with it, learn from it, and move on. The only way is forward.”
34 ONE STEP AT A TIME
Winter
Once we set up a schedule, getting BJ to and from his classes isn’t a problem. After a discussion with his advisor, he drops Advanced Research Methods. It won’t impact his ability to graduate, since he can retake it next semester and get the grade he wants.
We study together, do homework together when possible, and because he’s not on the ice while he’s healing, he comes to some of my hockey practices, and he’s always at my games.
A few days ago, the doctor told him he could switch from crutches to a cane, so we went shopping for one. BJ even makes that accessory look badass. And the timing couldn’t be more perfect, because tonight we’re going to my very first NHL game. Maverick and Clover have come up for it, and Lavender flew in this afternoon. I’m staying with BJ tonight so she and Kody can have her old room. Although I stay at his place most of the time these days anyway, because three flights of stairs is hella ambitious for him at the moment.
We’re congregated in the living room, just waiting on River, who went to pick up Josiah, and Laughlin. The latter has become a semiregular fixture around here over the past month. He shows up randomly, hangs out for a couple of hours, and then disappears.
“Lavender, catch!” Rose tosses something across the room.
Lavender screams and ducks, though the item doesn’t land anywhere near her.
Lovey picks up the roll of tape with a candy cane pattern on it.
“Oh fuck,” BJ mutters.
I remember when Rose was settling in her room and found that roll of tape. BJ told her to hold on to it and give it to Lavender the next time she visited. It isn’t until now that I make the connection to the tie-me-down conversation BJ and I had, which led to the use of silk ties. I choke back a laugh.
Lavender flings her hand in the air. “Why would you throw something at me? You know I have the coordination of a newborn foal.”
Lovey frowns. “Why are you giving Lavender duct tape with candy canes on it?”
“I found it in the closet in Kody’s room when I was unpacking.” Rose crams herself between the twins on the couch. “I thought maybe he’d want it back.”
Lavender’s face turns beet red, and she points an accusing finger at BJ. “You were supposed to take that to the grave.”
“Take what to the grave?” Rose asks. She looks around the room, and most everyone seems like they’re trying not to laugh. Except Maverick. He excuses himself to the bathroom.