Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
She looks at the Stoney Cup being brought onto the ice and takes a deep breath. I can see the fire in her eyes. She’ll be back next year, stronger than ever.
“Go celebrate while you can,” she says with a grin. “That cup will be coming home with me next year.”
I kiss my girl on the lips and then sprint down to the ice.
Nolan is skating around the rink, holding the shiny cup over his head.
“We did it, boss,” Sebastian says, giving me a friendly slap on the back. “Just like you said we would.”
I think back to the moment when we first met. He was sitting in my office, very skeptical of my plan to turn the Hyenas of all teams into a dynasty, and I was very skeptical of his commitment to the game. I’m just so happy it all worked out.
“We couldn’t have done it without The Sniper,” I say with a grin. “That was a beautiful goal.”
“It’s why I get paid the big bucks.” He leaves with a smile on his face, skating up to the group of guys taking turns holding the cup.
The crowd roars in excitement as Sebastian takes it from Nolan and lifts it over his head.
He skates around the rink and then comes over to me with a grin. “Your turn, boss.”
“Really?”
I’m staring at the shiny silver trophy in awe. It’s beautiful. After Riley, it’s the most stunning thing I’ve ever seen.
I take it and shiver. Wow. The Stoney Cup… It’s mine for the year…
Sebastian lets go and I’m surprised by the weight of it.
I can’t help but smile as I lift it over my head and everyone cheers. The players, the fans, my employees attending… They’re all cheering for me.
And even though my girl lost, I know she’s in the crowd cheering for me as well.
Just like I’ll be cheering for her when she kicks my ass next year.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Riley
Ithink I’m the only one who’s not hammered. But that’s okay. Everyone is having a great time and it’s nice to see.
I’m on the parked Hyenas float while we wait for their victory parade to start rolling down Riverwalk road in San Antonio. I shake my head and laugh when Brantley pops open a two hundred year old bottle of wine from the royal cellar of Louis Phillippe the First, King of France. He told me he had promised Nolan Barlowe that he would crack it open if they won the Stoney Cup.
The boys gather around as Brantley pours it into the cup.
“Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!” they all chant as he picks up the silver trophy and takes a big sip.
He immediately spits it out and they all laugh.
“It’s disgusting,” he says, looking horrified.
“It’s two hundred years old, what do you expect?” Austin says, cracking up.
“Let me try that,” Tucker says as he pushes Sebastian aside and grabs it. He downs half of it in one long gulp as the guys laugh in disbelief.
Tucker hands it to Harris and wipes his red mouth with the back of his hand. “I don’t like it.”
They all take turns trying the wine that should have died with the French Revolution long ago and not one of them like it.
“Riley!” Austin says, waving me over. “Come take a sip!”
I wave him away, blushing. I’m so flattered they’re trying to include me even if it is trying to get me to drink two hundred year old alcoholic swill. I didn’t think they’d want me on their parade float, but Brantley was so insistent that I come. He really wanted me by his side, so I reluctantly said yes. I’m so touched the team has embraced me as one of their own even though I am in charge of the enemy. I guess the animosity isn’t so great when you’re the winner.
“My love,” Brantley says, waving me over. “Come take a sip. It’s fit for a king.”
“A dead king maybe,” Austin says, still chugging water, trying to get the taste out of his mouth.
“Riley! Riley! Riley!” they start chanting. I can’t say no. Unfortunately.
I walk over and take the cup. It’s so heavy, so Brantley helps me hold it up. I put it to my lips and take a sip, and… yup. It’s even grosser than I thought it would be.
I choke it down and everyone cheers.
“That’s my girl,” Brantley says as he kisses my cheek.
He’s looking a little tipsy and he’s somehow even cuter with that twinkle in his eye and the mischievous smile.
I’m still sad that we lost, but getting to the Stoney Cup Championship is still a major deal. It’s a huge accomplishment and I’m happy for the incredible ride we had. Next year, we learn from the mistakes we made, build off our success, and go for it all.
Next year, it’s going to be the Vipers hosting a victory parade. I’ll make sure of it.