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)
A few hours later, I meet Molly at the exit of the practice arena. Together, we walk to a bistro a few blocks away. Molly chatters animatedly about her trip. How it was the best summer of her life.
The question on my tongue that I don’t let out is, why did you come back early?
It only takes us a few minutes to walk to the restaurant, and when we get there, we find an empty table right away.
This area of Redville is much less crowded than the downtown area where the team plays their games. Plus, the ambience is adorable. It reminds me of a bistro you would see in the movies, like it belongs in France.
“I love this place.” Molly beams as we approach the small, checkered table. The scent of freshly baked bread wafts in the area.
“It reminds me so much of France.”
My assessment was right. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never left the Midwest. Well, not counting since I’ve started working for the team.”
Molly stops walking and looks over her shoulder at me, brow lifted.
“Really?”
“Yep.”
I can tell by her narrowed eyes that she has a ton of questions.
Get in line. So do I.
Like why on earth did my mother never tell me about him? Or better yet, why on earth did she obviously never tell him about me?
While I haven’t confirmed that, it’s pretty apparent from the paternity test.
Oh well. One day, I’ll get up the nerve to ask him.
Just not now.
Or anytime soon.
It’s bad enough that my mom rejected me. I don’t think I can handle another rejection.
“I haven’t actually ever left Redville. To live, I mean. Obviously, I’ve left to go on trips and vacations. But I grew up here.”
I slide into the chair, and she takes the one across from me.
“Really?”
“Yeah, I mean you might already know this from working with Dane while I was away, but our parents died, and well, he raised me.”
I knew he raised her, but I never asked what that entailed.
“He mentioned it.”
“Yeah. He became my legal guardian when I was eleven years old.”
I close my mouth and nibble at my bottom lip. “He was so young. Dane was what—like eighteen?”
“He was.”
“I can’t imagine that was easy for either of you.”
“It wasn’t. Especially for him, but he doesn’t like to talk about that. Or anything, for that matter.” She laughs.
I incline my head and take her in. She’s a beautiful girl with similar features to her brother. When she was eleven, I imagine she was most likely adorable, had a great personality, and was easy to deal with because of her sweet disposition. But still, that had to be hard at eighteen.
“Was he in college?”
“No. Actually, he was a senior in high school. It’s why he stayed local, playing one year of college hockey, before Coach took him pro when he took over as head coach for the Saints.”
I knew my father coached Dane in college, but I didn’t realize my father was the reason he went pro so young.
It’s bad enough that I know nothing of my father, but now it’s even more heartbreaking.
I can tell right away there is a long story there, and of course, my father treats him like a son and vice versa; from what it sounds like, Dane was forced to grow up way before his time, and my father was the one who helped him.
Interesting.
Maybe I’m wrong about my father after all.
53
JOSIE
A few days after our lunch, I’m pleasantly surprised by Molly’s invitation to join her for drinks tonight.
I glance around the bar, a nervous energy coursing through my veins. My heart races a mile a minute, and I’m not sure why.
Okay, that’s a lie. I know why.
I just don’t want to admit it to myself.
Dane.
He’ll be here soon.
Not that it matters since he won’t even speak to me when he’s here, but just having him in the vicinity makes me jittery.
Maybe I’ll be able to lure him away, sneak into the bathroom, and have my wicked way with him.
Looking around the bar, I spot the team. Hudson turns, and the moment he sees me, he waves.
I make my way through the crowd, and with each step I take, I search for Dane. Finally, as the crowd parts, there he is.
He doesn’t see me at first, but then he tilts his chin up, and our gazes meet.
His features look tight, and his stare is unsettling, but then what looks like a small smile lines his face.
A rush of warmth fills my veins, and I’m sure my cheeks are crimson.
How does this man do this to me?
One look, and I’m a puddle on the ground.
When I reach the table, he turns to face Hudson, and my heart feels like it was stabbed with a serrated knife.
“How’s my favorite intern?” Hudson teases, and a small, slender hand flicks his shoulder.