Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 114467 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 572(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114467 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 572(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
I finally find the pods to go into the coffeemaker, and when I open the fridge, I see it’s fully stocked. Taking out the milk, I make my coffee and go sit on one of the stools at the island. As I take a sip of the hot coffee, I feel the burn go down my throat. I look around, and my hands tap the counter. I know what this means; it means I’m bored and need to get up and move. Take my mind off the pull of scoring my next fix. I walk to the couch and turn the television on. My phone rings again, so I go back to the bedroom and turn off the second alarm.
Looking down, I see I have a couple of texts. The first one is from my mother.
Mom: Good luck tomorrow.
The next one is from my little sister, Natalia.
Natalia: God, it’s good being the favorite child. Just kidding. Good luck, bro.
I smile and shake my head. The next is from the therapist I worked with in Arizona.
Alain: Here are the names and numbers of the sponsors I found in New York. Don’t give up on yourself. No matter how much you think you don’t deserve it, you do. We all do. Yesterday is gone, so make today count.
Going through the names, I send a text to all the numbers he sent me. I take a deep breath and sit down, looking out the window while the television plays in the background. I have to be at the rink at noon. I lie down, trying to shut off my mind and tune out all the noise. All the doubts, all the shit that shouldn’t be in there.
I doze off, and when the third alarm sounds at eleven, I get up and get ready. The bathroom is right off the walk-in closet that is empty except for my little bag in the middle. Walking to the shower, I open the glass door and step inside. The shower walls have the same marble as the counter, and the white tiles on the floor blend perfectly. When I turn on the shower, two waterfalls start over me. Leaning my hands onto the wall, I let the water wash over my back.
After I dry off, I grab a pair of dress pants and a white button-down shirt. They are the only clothes that fit me besides the jeans I wore yesterday. I need to go shopping, and I need a house, so that should be enough to keep my mind busy.
I grab my jacket and head down to the waiting town car. The driver stands beside the car with a smile. “Good morning, Mr. Petrov.”
“Morning.” I nod at him as I slide into the open door. I look out the window while we make our way to the arena. He makes his way to the underground garage, and when we come to a stop, I get out and meet him at the back of the car.
“If you go through that door”—he points at the blue metal door—“you will be near the locker rooms.”
“Thank you,” I mumble and make my way into the new locker room. I pull open the door and walk into the back hallway. The small corridor leads to a wider hallway with blue carpet, and as I walk down, I pass huge pictures of Matthew hoisting the cup. Another of Matthew and Max celebrating said cup win, and a picture of the whole team in front of the cup. Another picture of Matthew taking his last skate around the arena and another one of Max. The team legacy hangs down the white walls of the hallway. I finally walk past an open door and peer in, seeing it’s the locker room.
Looking around, I spot my name and sit down on the wooden bench. Since it’s still summer break, no one is here, and I just take a deep breath. “There you are.” I look at the doorway and see Matthew. “I see you found your spot,” he says, coming into the room. He’s dressed pretty much the same as I am, except his shirtsleeves are rolled up.
“Just getting the lay of the land.” I smile at him, putting my elbows on my knees.
“I know how that feels,” he tells me, and I just look at him, thinking he’s talking out of his ass. “I walked in here with the biggest bubble over my head.”
“I doubt it’s as big as the cloud following me around,” I finally say to him softly.
“The only way they would sign me was if I had a chaperone with me,” he says, and I’m shocked. “Luckily for me, she was hot, and well, let’s just say … four kids later, it was the best thing to ever happen to me.”
“Really?” I hear another male voice, and I look over to see Max come in the room. “I thought I was the best thing to happen to you.” He slaps Matthew’s shoulder, then turns to me, sticking out his hand. This guy is a fucking beast even without equipment. “I’m Max. I was the one who tortured him and pushed him to be better.” He laughs while Matthew just shakes his head.