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)
“What do you plan to do today?”
I look over my shoulder and see him striding over to me. Coach must have given them a break.
When he’s only a few feet away, he raises his arms in the air to stretch.
As he moves, the black Henley he’s wearing lifts, giving me a perfect view of his well-defined abs and the delicious V that disappears into his shorts.
The man is simply perfection. It’s just not fair.
I look away, clearing my throat in an attempt to get myself under control.
“I’m going to walk around and do some shopping, and when I’m done, I’ll just head back to your place and get everything situated. That way, when you get home tonight, you can just relax.”
I turn to find Aiden in my space, holding my purse out to me.
My entire body shivers at his nearness, and I feel myself flush.
Is he aware of my reaction? Is this another thing I’m obvious about?
“You don’t have to do that,” he says.
“Yes, I do. I know you’re likely still going to have to do some things yourself but let me try to help you.” I hold his stare. “That’s why I’m here… right?”
There’s so much meaning in that question.
Do you want more?
Are you falling for me like I’m falling for you?
Do you know who I am?
“Okay,” he says, pulling me out of those dangerous thoughts. “I’ll see you tonight.”
I smile and give a quick wave before heading out the door, making a mental list the entire way down to the first level of all the things I need to do. I’m so caught up in planning that I nearly run headfirst into Billy.
Dread pools in my stomach at the sight of his smarmy face. He’s the last person I want to deal with today. I have too much to do, and he’s sure to ruin my entire day.
“Watch out,” I say, pushing past him.
“Wait, Cassie, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“It’s Cassidy,” I snap, not bothering to stop.
“Please.” Something in his tone has me stopping and turning back toward him. I have one eyebrow raised and a fist on my right hip.
I swipe my hand out, motioning that he has the floor.
“Thank you,” he says, which sounds all wrong coming from him. “Listen, I just wanna apologize. I went way too far. I should’ve never said any of those things.”
My eyes narrow, running over his face for any indication that this is some kind of joke. When I don’t find anything off, I grow even more suspicious.
“Are you sick?”
His head juts back a bit. “What?”
“Are you sick? Ill? Dying?” I snip. “Something’s off with you.”
He chuckles, raising both hands. “I’m fine. I just owed you an apology. I’d had too much to drink that night and went too far.”
“You can’t blame alcohol, Billy. You’ve done plenty of shitty things completely sober.”
He swallows, nodding several times. “That’s true. I’m just sorry.”
My eyes narrow further on Billy, as I try to find a hidden agenda, but today, he just appears repentant. Which puts me on edge. I can’t let my guard down. It wouldn’t be the first time I did...
That time didn’t end well for me.
“Okay,” I say, not having the words.
I can’t forgive him. I hate the asshole, but I can at least acknowledge his attempt at making things right.
“I appreciate that. Have a good practice.”
He offers me a tight-lipped smile. “See you around.”
God, I hope not.
I’m halfway through my shopping trip when I remember to call Emma. I’ve been a horrible friend as of late. Too preoccupied with a guy who doesn’t even know who I really am, to even remember the person who knows all my secrets.
Well… most.
I pull up her number and click to call. It rings twice before I hear her huff down the line.
“’Bout time you keep your promises, Cass the ass.”
I snort. “That’s a new one.”
“Yeah, well… I haven’t had a reason to bust it out until now. I need gossip,” she whines. “I’m dying over here.”
“Not much to tell. I’ve been busy playing keeper to the NHL’s sexiest player of the year while being tormented by his team. Well… only one major asshole. But I set him straight.”
“That’s my girl,” she praises. “Wait… what? Who’s the asshole?”
I sigh. “He’s inconsequential. You’d likely not even know him. Billy something or other.”
“I’ll be looking him up and sending him a shit sandwich.”
I choke out a laugh, and the elderly lady next to me throws the stink eye my way.
“Please don’t. He actually apologized today. Which was odd.”
“Sounds like he came to his senses.”
I purse my lips. He doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who recognizes his faults. Something in my gut tells me there’s more to it.
“Anyway, tell me more. Have you scored with the hockey hottie?”
“That would be a no, Em. This is entirely a business relationship. Outside of gawking at his biceps and well-defined back muscles, it’s strictly platonic.”