Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
I clench my fists.
There’s no time for a drink. I need to get him out of here now.
Hitting the gas, I speed up everything. “Zane,” I say, wrapping my hand around the back of the stool. My heart thumps at rock concert decibels. I’m sure he can hear it. Hell, I hope he can. “I’m sorry for walking out that morning and not coming back. I wanted to come back. I wanted to see you again. I keep replaying that day and wishing I could have done it differently,” I admit.
I feel like I can breathe again. Like I can maybe enjoy the sun again, a meal again.
Life again.
Zane looks over at me quizzically. “What do you wish you’d done differently, Maddox?”
Before I can say anything more, the footsteps grow louder. The Devils catcher, Trace, stops and claps Zane on the shoulder. “Hey, man. Can I steal your agent for a minute?” Then Trace turns to me. “I think I told you I was looking for new representation. All my guys out there said you’re the best. Would love to get a drink and talk.”
Zane’s expression is stony. He’s waiting, watching.
I’d love to work with Trace. I bet I could seal the deal tonight. But I shake my head. “Trace, I’d love to talk to you about representation sometime, but not right now,” I say, then I jump off a cliff. “I just promised Zane I’d drive him back to his hotel so that he can get some rest before the game. But I’ll reach out tomorrow.”
Trace shrugs amiably. “Tomorrow sounds great.”
A grin plays at the corner of Zane’s luscious mouth. That’s my next opening, and as Trace walks out, I set a hand on Zane’s back and tip my forehead to the door. “Come with me.”
It’s not a question. It’s a statement.
My muscles tighten once more, but this time with hope. We’re so close to making our great escape.
Despite that sliver of a smile, Zane doesn’t give in easily. He’s quiet as he runs his hand through his hair. Like he did in the New York hotel room when he was sorting out his thoughts about past dates.
I drop my voice another notch. “Do you want to know what my texts said?”
“I don’t know. Do I?”
“Yes. Because I miss you so much.”
His smile returns. He steps toward me and lifts a hand, maybe to touch me, but then he thinks the better of it, stuffing both hands into his pants pockets. Those twin moves—his desire coupled with his restraint—excite me.
“Let’s go,” he says. I’m ready to fly, but I can’t leave Adriana hanging.
“Let me just tell Adriana.” I wheel around to rush back to the patio, then I see her cutting through the bar.
She stops me, eyes full of curiosity. “I was just going to settle the final bill,” she says.
I could fucking kiss her. “Favor. I need to go. Can you—”
“Absolutely. I’ll handle everything and say goodbye to the guys.” Her eyes twinkle as she waves me off, practically shooing me out of the restaurant.
Zane’s holding the door, and we leave together.
29
LATE NIGHT TEXTS
Zane
I hate surprises. But I think I’ll like this one. Once we reach the side street behind the restaurant, Maddox clicks open the doors to his Audi. The second they slam shut, I turn to him.
“Talk,” I demand, so damn eager to hear everything.
Without hesitation, he begins. “I wish I’d talked to you in person. I wish I’d stopped telling myself I’d made a mistake. I wish I’d spent those two nights with you. I wish I’d spent more,” he says, strong, certain, laying bare his regrets. “And I hope you’ll spend the night with me.”
Does he think I’m that easy? That he can just tell me he wants me and I’ll come running?
But my heart is already sprinting in his direction as I drink in the look in his eyes—utter vulnerability.
I have things to say though. I am not a pushover. “I came here to see you too, Maddox.”
“Yeah?” His voice pitches up.
“I had something to say to you,” I continue, trying to stick to my plan.
“Tell me. Anything,” he says, so open, so ready to hear me.
My simple speech repeats in my head— I was hurt in New York because I was falling in love with you. I wanted to share my heart with you. Find a way with you. And you have to know I was never going to go clubbing with Gunnar. I haven’t even thought about anyone else since we met. I can’t stop thinking about you, but I know I can’t have you, so I’m vowing to let this go and—
Fuck that. I’m not letting this man who misses me get away.
I change tactics immediately. “I came here to say…it hurt me so much to lose you in New York,” I begin, then I let loose a smile so big it makes my whole body sing. “But I’m so fucking happy to be with you right now.”