Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
The dream had ended there, which was bullshit, but that wasn’t something I had time to think about right now.
“How did what happen? I met Ford when we were both out running. He said he knows you. I asked him to hang out and have dinner with us.”
“I got rid of the beer,” Ford said. “It won’t happen again.”
Luke shook his head. “You didn’t have to do that. Elle’s just being overprotective.”
“No, I think it’s smart. I don’t need that shit anyway. My trainer’s always on me about cutting unnecessary calories during the season.”
I’d been bitchy and Ford was defending me, which made me feel awful.
Luke was focused on the TV screen and Ford snuck a glance at me, a question in his eyes. I sighed, feeling defeated, cold, and—even now—turned on.
He discreetly pointed at his chest and I looked down at my own.
“Oh my god,” I blurted out when I clearly saw the outline of my nipples in my wet, white button-up shirt.
I grabbed the fabric to pull it away from my skin and ran into my bedroom.
Perfect. I’d just denied any involvement with Ford to every one of my bosses and then I’d come home looking like a wet T-shirt contestant. I needed a girls’ night out as much as Sam did.
I quickly showered, dried my hair, and dressed in jeans and a lightweight gray hoodie. When I walked back into the living room, Ford and Luke were talking animatedly about their game.
“You asshole,” Luke said, grinning.
“Like those cat-like reflexes?” Ford asked. “And my hand-eye coordination is legendary.”
“Bullshit, you got lucky.”
This was the happiest I’d seen Luke since he started staying with me. He didn’t have the weight of the world on his shoulders. Ford was a good man who would look out for my brother. I had no problem with them playing video games together, as long as I wasn’t here fantasizing about Ford.
“I made lasagna,” Luke said.
“I’m going out with Sam.”
Ford glanced at me, clearly disappointed. I didn’t love that I was leaving, either, even though I knew it was for the best.
“She quit her job today,” I said. “She’s worried about having to eat cat food.”
“Tell her it’s actually high in protein,” Luke quipped.
“I’m sure that’ll be very reassuring to her.”
“I can help her find something if she wants,” Ford said, not looking away from the screen.
“How?”
He shrugged. “I know people.”
“I’m looking for a job myself,” Luke said.
“Yeah, let’s talk about what you’re looking for over dinner and I’ll see what I can do,” Ford said.
His support of my brother made me want him even more. But I’d backed myself into a corner by denying there was anything between us to my bosses. I had to keep my distance.
“I’m heading out,” I said. “I’m taking an Uber to her place since we’ll be drinking away her sorrows.”
“I got oranges at the store today,” Luke said. “I’ll make you some hangover juice before I go to bed.”
I snuck a final glance at Ford, who was focused on the TV screen. Hopefully he’d be gone when I returned home later, because now that I knew what kissing him was like, I wanted more.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Ford
“Don’t get sloppy,” I told my teammates the next night. “And don’t get lazy.”
We were in the tunnel that led from the locker room to the ice, returning from the second intermission. Since we were up 4–2 with one period remaining, this game should be in the bag. I wouldn’t relax until it was over, though.
“Hey, I’ve got an idea,” Colby said from beside me.
I looked at him and he grinned.
“We’ll have a five-game winning streak going after this game,” he said. “You should offer to do something if we can get to ten.”
I scoffed. “Like what, a pizza party?”
“No, like shaving your head.”
“I’m not shaving my head.”
He gave me a slight shove. “Come on, cap. Motivate your crew.”
“Aren’t our massive salaries supposed to do that?”
“It’s a good idea,” Dom said.
Great. Once Dom was onto something, he was like a dog with a bone. He’d never let it drop.
“I’m not shaving my head,” I said again.
He considered. “Did you buy that Jeep yet?”
“Nope.”
“Go buy it and you can drive it through a car wash with the top down if we win ten in a row.”
Spoken like a guy who didn’t give a shit about his car. Dom acted like an overgrown teenager sometimes.
“Fuck that,” I said, balking. “I’ll think about it and come up with something.”
I skated onto the ice, scanning the crowd in the stands. They were loud, probably energized from the intermission show. I reminded myself to follow my own advice and not get lazy just because we were ahead in the game. We needed to keep our streak going, and with Calgary’s top scorer out with a broken ankle, our chances were good.