Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
“I thought you came to apologize,” I grit through my teeth.
He grins down at me, but despite the smile, nothing about the way he looks at me is warm or friendly.
“He’s gone, and now you need to get the fuck out of here too.” Aiden’s voice is low and menacing, but the asshole chuckles.
“See you later on the ice.”
“No, you won’t because you don’t even play,” I snap, but the door is already closed.
He didn’t hear me.
Aiden chuckles, finally dropping his hands. “Don’t let him get to you. He’s just trying to get a rise out of you. He’s notorious for it.”
“He’s an asshole.”
“That he is, but he’s smart and has Coach fooled.”
“He’s not,” I say, shaking my head. “One day, he’s going to slip up, and I’m going to be there to see him fall.”
Aiden pulls his lips into his mouth, trying not to laugh.
“What? He’s awful, Aiden. He’s exactly the kind of guy who takes advantage of women and probably kicks puppies. I can’t stand him.”
Aiden throws his head back and laughs, which is so unlike him before a game.
I narrow my eyes, and a part of my lips tips up. “Do you find something funny about assaulting women and puppies?” I ask, knowing he’s nothing like that.
His hands lift. “I happen to be rather fond of both and find any type of assault on either one to be grounds for an ass kicking—or worse.”
I half roll my eyes. “You need to get ready to head off to the arena.” I go about tidying up the few remaining things on the table in front of Aiden. “Is there anything else I can do?”
He takes a deep breath, looking around. “No. I’m all good.”
“All right. I’ll see you after the game.”
I’m halfway to the door when he calls out my name. I glance over my shoulder, not saying a word, allowing him to say whatever he’s thinking. “I know I’ve already said it, but I want you to know how much I appreciate you intercepting that reporter. It would've thrown off my entire game if he had made it through that door.”
“I know.” I shake my head, sighing heavily. It was close. Too close. “I know,” I repeat. “I’m going to speak to security and ensure nothing like that happens again.”
“You’re my girlfriend, not my agent.” He grins. “I’ll make the call.”
I nod, and with that, I exit the room, my mind reeling with everything that’s happened in the past few minutes.
He thinks about the past.
And a part of me wishes he didn’t because it makes his leaving me behind even worse.
Nothing goes as planned.
It doesn’t matter how hard the team rallies.
Aiden is off.
Has been all day, and nothing seems to be working to get him back in the right mindset.
I can see it from here, up in the stands. His face is tight, and his shoulders are rigid. He reminds me of a rubber band pulled taut and ready to snap.
This isn’t how the game is supposed to be. But I guess I’m not at all surprised. He might not have said anything, but he hasn’t been okay since the damn reporter made it up to the floor.
He’s been about ready to lose it, and right now, it looks like he will.
I watch with wide eyes as Aiden checks the Bulldog defender hard. A fight is about to go down, and despite Dane skating over to stop it, Aiden is looking for blood.
The next thing I know, some guy on the opposing team is throwing a punch.
Then, it’s complete pandemonium as a full-fledged fight breaks out. My heart rattles in my chest as I watch in horror as Hudson and Dane jump into battle.
The ref blows his whistle and breaks it up.
It takes a few minutes before the players are separated, and then Aiden and the defender who punched him are being sent off to their penalty boxes.
This is going to be a long game.
Hours later, I’m waiting in the room for Aiden to return.
They lost.
And I’m not sure what to do to help him.
Back at the trailer, after a loss, I’d find Aiden sitting beneath the tree. It didn’t matter the weather. He was always there.
“Penny for your thoughts.” I take a few steps until I’m right beside where he’s sitting.
He tilts his head up, catching my gaze.
The look he gives me makes my stomach feel hollow. He looks lost and completely out of control.
Pulling my gaze away, I see his hands in his lap. His fingers tap his thigh as he mumbles something to himself. I can’t hear the words, but whatever he’s saying can’t be good because his jaw is tight as he mutters them through clenched lips.
“What’s going on?”
He doesn’t speak, doesn’t acknowledge me.
“Aiden, I don’t know what’s happening. But you’ll get through this if you need me. Just take a breath, remember that—”