Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
“I’m used to it. It doesn’t matter,” Leah muttered.
I took her hand and stopped her from walking off. When our eyes met, I could see that she was more bothered than she let on. I couldn’t blame her. Some of the guys weren’t nice to her. They lashed out when the team suffered to the point where it was a reflex, but it still wasn’t an excuse.
“Don’t tolerate it,” I told her. “You and your team deserve all of the attention you’re getting.”
Leah’s expression softened as she nodded.
“Thank you,” she said. “Why aren’t you angry like the others?”
I shrugged as I drew her closer to me.
“Because I think we can both do great without damaging each other,” I said. “The others are defensive and protective over the team. We’ve all given up something to be here, and we don’t want to go home without doing something to be proud of. I’m sure you can relate.”
Leah nodded.
“No one believes in me back home. Besides my mom and sister,” she told me.
I smiled.
“My family is supportive too. It means the world,” I replied. “And most of the others can relate too, but it drives them more aggressively.”
“That’s a mild way of putting it,” Leah sighed. “They’re acting like we’re trying to strip away any respect they’ve gained.”
“It’s not only about respect,” I told her. It might seem that way, but it was deeper than that. Scars weren’t just surface level.
“What do you mean? What else is it about? Fame?” Leah questioned me.
I shook my head. Fame would be a nice surprise in the end, but it wasn’t the main goal for any of us.
“Not letting the people we love down. Helping to provide for them by having a successful athletic career,” I told her.
“We have family we’re trying to make proud too, but we haven’t waged war against you guys,” Leah pointed out.
“I know, just know that they’re not bad guys. They’re just blinded by their determination,” I said. “If we have to share press space, then that’s what has to happen. They’ll deal with it.”
Leah nodded a little before tilting her head at me.
“But you’re not fully blinded. You can see that this is all getting a little ridiculous. I mean, all the other teams share coverage without complaining,” she replied.
I chuckled faintly and shrugged.
“Yeah, but they are my team. All I can do is try to keep the peace as much as I can,” I told her before leaning a degree closer. “While rooting for your team to have a good season on the down low.”
Leah thought for a moment before a warm expression filled her face.
“You and Jed should watch us play our next game. It’s here at Yale,” she said. “If you want.”
Her invitation wasn’t her asking for help, but it made me want to help her and her team. She had some trust in me and Jed, and I wanted to deepen that trust between us. I didn’t care about press and all of that. I liked seeing the smile on her face and the determined gleam in her eyes. If I could even just help motivate her or shield her from my team’s ugly attitude, I would be happy to do that.
“We’ll be there,” I promised her before reaching out to hug her. My lips met her temple, and I felt her smile against my shoulder.
I didn’t want to let go. I might be hooked on her, and I believed that, deep down, I wasn’t alone.
Chapter 13
Leah
“Ladies, gather around! I have an important announcement,” Coach Clinton called out once me and the team piled into the locker room after practice.
I took off my helmet and breathed in deeply, my heart racing from the scrimmage we just played.
“Nice defense, you two,” I told Annie and Naomi.
“We’ve got you,” Annie said as they bumped gloves with me.
I smiled and faced Coach Clinton as she waited for us to all get settled. I didn’t know what news she had, but I hoped it was good news. Ever since the guys came at my throat for that article, I’ve been itching to get more media attention just to piss them off. They had no right talking to me like that, especially after the way we connected that one night.
The night that I needed to somehow forget. If only that was possible.
“I’m excited to tell you that you’ve been invited to play at the IIHF World Women’s Championship in Ravensburg, Germany!” Coach Clinton announced with an ecstatic look on her face.
I could’ve screamed in pure shock and joy. That international tournament had always been a dream for me to play in, and we qualified to participate! All of our hard work kept paying off, and I couldn’t care less that the guys were pissed at us for taking their spotlight. We were definitely going to be front page news now!