Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 109176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
I don’t know how he deals with that bullshit, but this is Hudson we’re talking about. My teammate lives for the pussy. His words, not mine.
A shiver courses its way down my spine at the crass thought.
This is going to be a long night.
I tilt my head in the opposite direction and take in the room, trying to determine which way will be less painful.
Hudson will be harmless but annoying.
To my right, I see Mason Goode speaking to our coach. There’s no appeal to that either. I don’t care to hear about everything we did right, followed by what we fucked up. Coach Robert might be like a father to me, but when it comes to hockey, his lectures can be tedious. They never end. We can win the biggest game of a coach’s career, and the man would still have some feedback.
Scanning the space, I look around for Aiden and Cassidy, but they’re nowhere to be found. Not surprising. They always sneak off to be alone. Too bad because hanging with them would’ve been my preferred option.
My gaze locks with Molly, and she takes me in for a second. Her brow furrows with concern, and she steps in my direction. I quickly turn away.
Nope. Not tonight.
She knows me too well and will read right through my false bravado that everything is all right.
Instead of dealing with my sister, I head to the lesser of all evils.
“Hudson it is,” I mumble under my breath.
As I navigate the loud and boisterous crowd, I try my best not to make eye contact with anyone I pass. Conversation and laughter fill the air, and I know if given an opportunity, any one of my teammates will stop me. I’m not in the mood for celebrating, let alone small talk.
I weave my way through the clusters of people until I make it to the bar, where Hudson is cozied up to a flock of girls vying for his attention. I halt my steps, leaning my back against the bar and crossing my arms over my chest. I’m hoping to make it clear I’m not to be approached.
My presence has Hudson pivoting in my direction and jerking his chin up. “What’s up, man? Glad to see you joining the festivities.”
“Nothing,” I grunt out. A better man would pretend to be happy. Too bad I’m not that man. Hudson stretches his arm out and places it around my shoulders. “Come on, bro, smile.”
When I don’t, he rolls his eyes and laughs loudly. It’s not that I don’t love the guy, but I’m not in the mood for his juvenile antics right now.
“Dude, we just won the Cup. Why do you still look fucking pissed?”
“I’m not fucking pissed.” I step out from under his arm, giving me the distance I need right now.
This is my fault. I set myself up for this. He didn’t approach me; I went to him. I shouldn’t be an ass to Hudson. It’s not his fault I’m here.
“Could have fooled me.” He turns to look at the blond girl beside him, the one who clearly finds him to be the most entertaining human in the world since she cackles at everything he says. “Don’t you think he looks miserable?”
She bobs her head. “He does.”
“Maybe you can help cheer him up.” He grins at her, waggling his eyebrows.
Great, just great.
Now I’ll have to put up with Hudson trying to get me laid. This night keeps getting better and better.
At his words, the blond girl takes a step closer to me, raising her right hand to touch me. I take a step back, avoiding her.
“Not interested. But thanks.”
Hudson barks out a laugh before lifting the glass in his hand to take a swig. Once done, he lowers his hand, then shakes his head. “Can I at least convince you to have a drink with me? You know, for celebration.”
“I’ll pass on that too.”
Someone bumps into me as they’re walking by, and I turn to see who just knocked into me. It’s a pretty redhead, and when she catches me looking, she smiles seductively. If I were Hudson, I’d take her up on that offer, but unfortunately, no desire stirs. Maybe I’m broken. She’s gorgeous, but I’m just not in the mood tonight.
Not for her, and certainly not for this place.
“How long have you been here?” Hudson asks, and I turn back in his direction and shrug.
“Five minutes.”
“And how long are you planning on staying?” His mouth twists into a knowing smirk.
“Not sure.”
He turns to the blonde with a shake of the head. “That means he’s leaving. Guaranteed by my next drink, he’s gone.”
“Don’t kid yourself. I’ll be gone way before that,” I fire back.
As if my comment is a challenge, Hudson raises the glass to his mouth and takes the rest of the contents in one gulp. “Challenge accepted.” He then lifts his hand to get the bartender’s attention. Once he does, he signals that he wants another.