Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
That was early this morning, and the day has just gone downhill from there. Coach has had us in this fucking conference room since the moment we got to the hotel. Hour after hour, we watch play after play. Normally, I don’t mind it. It’s part of the job. I love the game and learning, and watching our opponents is part of that, but today, it’s all different.
Today, I know that somewhere in this hotel is my girl. She’s sitting in her room waiting for me to come to her, or is she? Is she out roaming around the hotel? The city? That just ramps my anger up for the second time today. She shouldn’t be out roaming a strange city all on her own. Yes, I know she’s a grown woman, but dammit, I need her safe. The thought of her not being safe is affecting my ability to concentrate. The thought of her in her room waiting for me, that’s pissing me off.
“What’s up with you?” Caleb leans into me and whispers.
“Nothing,” I reply, trying not to bite his head off.
He taps his pen against my balled fist that sits on top of the table. “Keep telling yourself that,” he says, sitting back in his seat.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to blurt out the truth. That I’m so blindly in love with his little sister that I can’t even fucking function when she’s close and I can’t be with her. I know now is not the time for my confession, especially since their father is sitting in the front of this conference room as well.
“You know what you need, don’t you?” he whispers, keeping his eyes focused on the giant screen.
“Enlighten me, ol’ wise one,” I mumble.
“You need to get laid. You’ve been living with me for a couple of months now, and I have yet to see you go out. You need pussy, my man. That’s the cure-all.” He smirks. “You need to let go of all of that tension.”
Only if it’s your sister’s. “Fuck off,” I grumble. If he knew that I was committed to his sister, I can guarantee he wouldn’t be suggesting this. I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that talking about our sex lives going forward is going to be a forbidden topic. Although, that could be a good way to get under his skin. I file that away for another time. It hits me that I’ve been racking my brain around how to get out of our room tonight. “I have a date tonight.” I blurt it out before I have a chance to fully process what I’m saying.
“Oh, yeah? A regular from town?” he asks, his interest piqued. “Does she have any friends?”
“I don’t kiss and tell.”
Not anymore.
“Since when?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Since now.”
“Oh, I get it. You like this one.” He nods in approval.
I can work with this. “Yeah, man. I really do. In fact, I’m pretty sure that I’m in love with her.” The words slip past my lips before I can think better of it—Caleb full-on turns to look at me, not even pretending to be watching the game tape. At least I had enough sense to say with absolute certainty that I’m in love with her, because I am.
“Come again?” Confusion is written all over his face.
“She’s different.” I shrug and break his stare, turning my attention back to the screen.
“Different how?” I can still feel his eyes on me, but I don’t turn to look. I’m too afraid of what he might see that I won’t be able to hide the fact that I’m talking about Joey.
“She’s just different.”
“Not good enough, my man. I’m going to need you to spell this shit out for me.”
“Let it go.” My voice is stern.
“How is it that my best friend who has been living with me for months is in love, and I have no idea? Have I even met her?” he questions.
I’m kicking myself in the ass for even saying anything. I should have known he wouldn’t just let it go. He’s like a fucking vulture and will keep picking and nagging until I give him something. The problem with that is I don’t want to lie to him. Not anymore, but I have to. I don’t have a choice. I made a promise to Joey, and I intend to keep it. I won’t turn into just another person she’s not able to rely on. I want to be at the top of her list.
“I’ve known her for a while. We reconnected, and things are going well.” Going well is an understatement. She’s my entire life is more accurate.
“Reconnected? When did you meet her?” By this time, he’s all but given up on watching the film, and I’m shocked Coach hasn’t called him out on it yet.