Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 629(@200wpm)___ 503(@250wpm)___ 419(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 629(@200wpm)___ 503(@250wpm)___ 419(@300wpm)
“This was fun,” I admit. “Don’t you think?”
“Yeah, it kinda was.” He slides off the loveseat and raises his muscular arms above his head to stretch them out. His T-shirt slides up as he does this, revealing abs of steel.
My jaw drops. “Oh my God. That is so unfair.”
“What?” Hunter’s dark eyebrows furrow.
“Have you seen your abs? Who the fuck has abs like that?”
His confusion gives way to a smug smile. “I play hockey. Every inch of me looks like that.”
Once again, my cheeks feel a bit warm. I’m trying hard not to picture what the rest of him looks like beneath his clothes, but I have a feeling he’s not exaggerating. His physique is bonkers.
I notice my phone light up on the nightstand and go over to check it. It’s been on silent, and Nico texted twice during the past hour. One message thirty minutes ago, and another just now.
NICO: Hey bb I’m gonna have to bail on sleepover 2nite. Car died after work. Battery probs. Gonna get it towed to the garage in Hastings and pick it up in the a.m. b4 class.
NICO: R u mad
I type a quick reply.
ME: Not mad, babe. Disappointed, tho.
“Everything okay?” Hunter asks as he zips up his hoodie.
I shrug. “My boyfriend canceled on me. He was supposed to stay over tonight but his car battery died. I guess he needs a new one or something.”
“Bummer. I’d invite you to play pool with me and the boys tonight, but I need a break from chicks.”
“Yes, I imagine all the female attention must be excruciating.” I think about the cute girl from yesterday, the one who went out of her way to make him lunch and he totally spurned her. “Come on, I’ll walk you downstairs.”
But before I can reach the door, Nico calls. “Oh, I need to answer this,” I say as we leave the bedroom.
I have no choice, because whenever I miss a call or text from Nico, he has a tendency not to answer when I call or text back, even if it’s half a second later. I don’t get it. Way too many people do that. How are they not available five seconds after contacting me? I swear, it’s like they send a text and then hurl their phones into the river.
“Hey,” I say hastily. “What’s up?”
“Just wanted to check in,” Nico says. “I’m gonna shower soon and then I’ll probably crash early.”
“Why—oh, right, you need to pick up your car.”
“Pick it up?”
“Because you got it towed to the shop…?” I remind him. From the corner of my eye, I notice Hunter curiously listening in. I urge him to walk faster as we descend the stairs.
“Oh no, actually, I got a jump from Steve. He had cables in his truck.”
“Wait, so you got the car started?” Then why can’t you drive here? I want to ask, but force myself not to.
“Yeah, I did. But I don’t want to drive it again tonight in case the battery dies again,” Nico says as if reading my mind. “I’m gonna get it checked out in the morning. But I’ll see you tomorrow night, okay?”
“Sure.”
“Love you, mami.”
“Love you too.”
I’m frowning as Hunter and I reach the front door. “The boyfriend?” he prompts.
I nod slowly. “I guess he got his car going with jumper cables, but the battery is still messed up? I’m not sure. I don’t know much about cars.”
“Sounds a bit shady,” remarks Hunter. “Using the ol’ car broke down excuse to avoid seeing someone.”
“Really?” I challenge. “Do you often lie about your car breaking down to get out of a date?”
“Often? No. Have I done it? Yes.”
I glare at him. “Well, not everybody is a liar like you.”
He doesn’t take offense. Just grins. “Gee. I didn’t mean to hit a nerve.”
“You didn’t.”
“Uh-huh. Anyway. My boys are waiting. Later, Semi.”
I practically shove him out the front door. Maybe if I get rid of him fast enough, that little seed of doubt he created won’t take root.
5
Hunter
I’m the first one to arrive for Thursday afternoon’s team meeting. I never used to be early for these things, but now that I’m team captain I’m trying to lead by example, so here I am, alone in the media room.
The Briar hockey facility is top-of-the-line, so we have a sweet A/V set-up. The large auditorium-style room offers three rows of tables with huge padded chairs, and a massive screen to watch game tape on. We’ve been studying film on Eastwood College all week. They’re our conference rivals, and we’re matched up against them for tomorrow’s first official game of the season.
I’m not too worried. Eastwood’s roster is not particularly strong this year—ours is. Even with Fitzy, Hollis and Nate Rhodes gone, the team still has a solid lineup. Me, Matty, an excellent goalie, and some of the hottest high school players Coach Jensen recruited for the freshman class.