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)
“No. Explain.” His voice is harsher than it’s been toward me in a while, and I don’t blame him. I’m acting like a child, but when you’ve lived the life that I have, you’re just waiting for the floor to give out underneath you and for all that you’ve built to crumble into ruin.
“It still feels like my life is utter chaos,” I admit, giving him that much.
“It’s being back here, right?”
“Yep,” I respond. There’s no reason to deny it. Mike has known me for a long time. He knows what being back here means to me. It doesn’t matter that Birmingham, Michigan, is technically two hours from where I grew up. It still feels too close.
“You’re always edgy when you play here, but I assume it’s worse this time because so much rides on this game.” He sucks air through his teeth and taps his chin, eventually lifting one finger into the air. “You know what you need?”
Nothing good ever comes from those five words from Mike. His answer to everything is a pair of well-sculpted legs and two perfect double D’s.
“Something tells me you’re going to tell me.”
He smiles, leaning forward. “You need to get laid.”
I bark a laugh because I called it. “Easy for you to say…you can just fuck with no consequences.”
His head shakes back and forth while his lips purse. “Not true, but I hear what you’re saying. Puck bunnies are getting better at hiding in plain sight.”
I bite my lower lip, trying to refrain from laughing.
“Maybe it will take the edge off.” He shifts in his seat. “It could be the solution for you—a way to help you relax and get back in the game.”
“Yeah, but at what cost?” I bite out, knowing full well there are many problems with his plan.
“No cost. I know of a girl…”
“This is how all good intentions start. You remember I’m notoriously evasive with who I take into my bed. One wrong move and I’ll become Hudson.” My teammate is one of the best guys I know, but he can’t go anywhere without women throwing themselves at him. They know they have a shot because he’s a player, and I have no interest in having that happen to me.
My private life is my own. It needs to stay that way. “Also, since I’m so selective with who I spend my time with, the local press will be all over me, and for good reason. They’ll do anything for a glimpse into my life. A night in the sack with the wrong girl, and they’ll get that story and wreck my reputation in the process.”
Hockey players might not be followed around by the paparazzi like football stars, but the local news…they love a good story.
“Can you let me finish?” He crosses his arms over his chest. “You’re always so damn pessimistic.”
“Fine,” I huff. “Proceed.”
A faint smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. “A while back, a client of mine had the same problem as you.” I raise an eyebrow. “Okay, not exactly the same problems, but he needed to blow off some steam, and he told me about this girl.”
“Is she a professional? Because I can’t have that shit on record. The press would eat it up if they found out I paid—”
“Not a professional, per se. There is no money exchanged.”
My lips form a thin line before my mouth drops open in utter confusion. “I’m not following.”
“This is her thing. She enjoys helping players loosen up. She’s like a good luck charm. From what I hear from my client, he’s never lost after he’s seen her.”
“So, what you’re saying is she’s a puck bunny? That sounds like the beginning of a horror story.”
“She’s solid,” he says so nonchalantly, you’d think we were talking about a dog. “She just likes to be useful, if you catch my drift.”
I lean forward in my seat and lift my brow at him. “And what does she get out of it?”
“A mutually beneficial fuck. How the hell should I know? But she’s discreet. And we can have her sign an NDA.” He lifts one shoulder and widens his eyes. “It’s a win-win. She’s kinky as all fuck too. She’ll let you do anything to her.”
I don’t respond. Instead, I mull over what he’s said. Normally, I’m able to handle my stress better, but right now, it’s like pushing a large boulder up a hill. Nearly impossible.
“I know it might sound unconventional,” Mike continues, his tone softening. “But sometimes, that’s the only answer. Your mental state is all I care about right now. This is your shot at the Cup. Maybe this distraction is what you need to get your head back in the game.”
“It sounds dirty.”
“It sounds fun.” He grins. “This girl understands the pressures you’re facing, and if it doesn’t work, where’s the harm?”