Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“We’re in the cone of silence,” Sophie hurries to assure me. “Honest, our family is excellent at keeping secrets. You don’t have to worry.”
I sigh in relief and then take a long drink of water, not proud of the way my hand shakes around the glass.
“Her behavior, her ethics, and just everything about her, really, was awful.” I grin at Drew and take his hand, linking our fingers for support. “So, as much as I’d love to lock the door and have as much fun with Drew as possible, I hesitate to do it.”
“You’re not her,” Maddie reminds me emphatically. “You’re not that horrible woman.”
“And everyone knows it,” Ike adds, leaning toward me. “You already have the respect of the team and the staff, London. No one compares you to that bitch. We’re glad that you and Rome bought the team.”
“That means a lot to me. Thank you, Ike.” I clear my throat, and Drew releases my hand to rub my back in circles over my shoulder blades. “I have a thing about being professional. I’ve worked hard to get where I am in a lot of business arenas, and I don’t want to blemish my reputation, I guess you could say. Not that being with Drew in any way tarnishes my image. That’s not what I mean at all.”
I turn to look at him and see so much love there that it takes my breath away.
“I honestly don’t care who in the world knows that you and I are together. I just don’t think it’s appropriate to have sex while at work. I fired my last assistant for doing exactly that. I don’t want to come off as a hypocrite.”
“Not that you have to explain yourself,” Sophie says with a wink. “But I can understand that.”
“Still,” Maddie insists. “Stolen looks, touches, glances while you pass each other in the hallways. That’s kind of hot.”
“You know,” Dylan says, eyeing his wife, “I’m beginning to wonder if I need to worry about who you’re flirting with at work.”
Maddie rolls her eyes. “Who has time to flirt? Besides, I’m perfectly taken, and happy to keep it that way.”
“Right answer,” Dylan says and kisses her lips quickly. “Okay, friends, I’m ready to hit the slopes. Maddie?”
“I might die, but I’m ready to go.”
I’m shocked when Josie and Brax insist on paying the bill, and then we make our way out of the restaurant.
“Where do we rent skis?” Josie asks.
“You’re not renting skis at all,” Brax informs his wife. “You have precious cargo, babe.”
“I can totally ski,” Josie objects. “I asked my doctor and everything.”
“I don’t give a shit if you asked the King of England, it’s a no for me.”
Josie narrows her eyes on her husband, but Maddie speaks up. “We can go to the spa. Drink hot chocolate by the fire. Personally, I’m going to read. There’s a ton we can do, Jose.”
“Sorry, I’m out, too,” Ike says. “Not because I’m pregnant. My contract says that I can’t do this during the season, and I’m literally here with my boss. I have some work to do anyway.”
“I’m honestly fine staying with you,” Sophie offers. “I don’t want you to be alone.”
“Nah, go play. I have to diagram plays for next week. Then, we’ll have our own party.” Ike winks at Soph, then hurries off toward his condo.
“You heard the man,” Drew says. “Let’s go play.”
“I might be paralyzed by the morning,” I announce as I wobble my way back into the condo. We spent all afternoon on the slopes, and I swear I fell more than I was on my feet. “I think I’ve lost all feeling in six of my toes.”
“I hope that’s six toes on two different feet and not six all on one foot.”
I snort and kick my way out of my snow boots, then pad into the living room, turn on the gas fireplace, and sit in front of it, hoping to thaw out.
“I didn’t realize that you’re so good at skiing.”
“I’m athletic,” he says with a shrug. “It’s no big deal.”
This is the perfect opportunity to ask him questions.
“There are some things I want to know.”
Drew raises an eyebrow as he pours two glasses of red wine, passes one to me, and sits across from me on an ottoman, watching me carefully. “Ask me anything. I’m an open book.”
I sip the wine and sigh happily, finally feeling warm from the inside out.
“Tell me why you’re no longer a quarterback.”
A brief frown pulls his eyebrows together as he looks down into his glass, gathering his thoughts. Just when I’m beginning to wonder if I should have kept my big mouth shut, Drew sighs and looks up at me with sad blue eyes that hit me square in the heart.
“I got hit.” He takes a sip of his wine, as if it will give him the courage to continue. “Junior year of college. Fourth quarter. Concussion.”