Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 92779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
No, she doesn’t know who Ben really is.
Are you sure? Did you tell her? Joy!
I swear I didn’t.
Joyyy . . .
“I mean, does he realize there’s literally an entire spectrum of colors to choose from? How could he limit himself to black when there are so many options?” Rayleigh continues.
I swear Hope’s shoulders drop a solid inch lower in relief that her husband’s secret alter-ego is safe and Rayleigh’s only concern is the lack of variety in his wardrobe.
I hold up a finger to tell Hope that I’ve got this, and I ask Rayleigh, “You know how you choose your outfit on the vibe?” She nods, looking down at her white sweater and jeans that I’d bet felt “snowy” to her when she got dressed. “Ben’s vibe is all black. Like the fabric of his soul resonates with it.” I press my palm over my heart to emphasize the depth of what I’m saying.
Rayleigh hums thoughtfully, as if I’ve imparted some deep, spiritual, ancient wisdom with my words.
“We should get going.” Hope’s urgency is underscored by a glance at her wrist even though she’s not wearing a watch. She’s not worried we’ll be late, but rather, is trying to cut off any further conversation about Ben’s wardrobe choices.
Rayleigh pops up. “Ready! I’m so excited. I’ve never been ice skating before.”
This weekend is the Maple Creek Winter Festival. It’s one of the biggest events on the town calendar, and a major tourism generator. There will be activities all over town, including caroling downtown on Friday and Saturday, a tree-lighting ceremony tonight, and there was a parade this morning. And my brother of all people organized a friendly outing of ice skating today, so we’re going to the specially set up outdoor rink that’s part of the festival. It’ll be the core crew of his Moose player friends—Dalton included—plus me, Rayleigh, and Hope and Ben, who’re here for the holidays.
“What?” I look at Raleigh with wide eyes. “You didn’t mention that tidbit when I asked if you wanted to come.”
She shrugs. “I did want to come. I want to try it. New experiences, ya know?” She walks out of my bedroom, and Hope and I meet eyes behind her.
“This’ll be fun,” Hope whispers.
As it turns out, we didn’t need to worry.
For one, Rayleigh catches on to ice skating quickly. For two, it’s not because Hope or I teach her, but rather because Max is steadying her, holding her gloved hands in his own to create a frame to help her balance as he guides her around the rink.
“Figured you would’ve volunteered as tribute,” Dalton goads Shep, who’s been watching Max’s progress—or lack thereof—with Rayleigh. Because while he’s gotten her steady on the thin blades beneath her feet, she’s kept things pretty casual and friendly, not glomming on to Max the way some women do. I think she’s truly looking for friends in town and am happy she fits in with everyone so readily.
“Figured I’d better keep you in line,” Shep jokes back. “Wouldn’t want you making out with the ice skate rental girl behind the counter.” He laughs, and Dalton’s eyes jump to me before he chuckles along hollowly.
He’s keeping us a secret, the way I asked him to.
We’ve talked about this over the last couple of weeks as I’ve admitted to myself, and finally to him, that this is more than a casual fling, and definitely more than a superstition. In fact, my routine has basically become rushing out after my eleven o’clock report, heading to Dalton’s or meeting him at my place, where we talk, eat, flirt, and fuck every night. We wake up together, have breakfast before he runs out to practice, and then do the whole thing over again.
It’s exciting, and I know Dalton would shout from the rooftops if I’d let him.
But I’m not ready.
Not when the holidays are literally right around the corner and the Moose are having an amazing season. Telling Shepherd about Dalton and me puts both of those things in jeopardy, so Dalton’s agreed to wait a little longer, teasing that he’s never been anyone’s dirty little secret before. I joked back that while he might be dirty and a secret, there’s absolutely nothing little about him.
Still, my choice to keep quiet is going to make this entire outing a bit awkward, especially when my brother’s suggesting my boyfriend—boyfriend!—would make out with other women if left unsupervised.
Plus, Hope’s grinning at me like she’s already figured me out even though I haven’t told her yet either. I trust her, but she’s staying at Mom and Dad’s until Christmas, and I didn’t want her to worry about keeping my secret. I figured I’d tell her later . . . like after she and Ben head home and she can’t brag too much about having been right all those weeks ago.