Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
“It’s fine,” I say with a shrug, then I redirect. “But I’m applying to some day jobs. Third shift really sucks.”
That definitely works. Max and Jules both smile at me, and Lucas doesn’t, but that’s okay. He’s already checked out.
“That would be awesome,” Jules says to me. “I remember the days of working those late hours and it was so hard.”
“Well, you were raising three kids,” Max remarks, not to denigrate me, but to just remind Jules that she had far more than just “hard” work going on in her life.
Laughing, I lean over and give Jules a hug. “Yes. I have no right to complain about anything. You are a true role model.”
She blushes over my compliment and I stand on tiptoes to kiss Max’s cheek. “Great game. Proud of you.”
“Love you, twerp,” Max says.
I place my hand on Lucas’s chest and just give him a soft pat. He responds with a quiet, “Catch ya later.”
Hitching my purse up over my shoulder, I start making my way to the bathroom so I can pee before I head out. There’s actually a line coming out of the women’s bathroom, but not the men’s. I think that’s because there are actually more women here tonight than men. This isn’t a broad statement about women maybe wanting to hook up with some of the players, because I know there are plenty who want that, but I’ve just found over the years that hockey draws some seriously fanatical female fans, which is awesome.
I decide to ditch the bathroom. I’ll probably make it home before I can pee here. As I turn to head for the door, I run into a solid wall of muscle and freshly showered man.
Lifting my head back, I see Reed standing there, holding his pint glass a little out from him as it sloshes to the rim.
He grins widely and teases, “Watch it there, little Fournier. There is no bulldozing over hockey players today.”
I grin back. “Sorry. Wasn’t watching where I was going. You played amazing tonight, Reed.”
“Thanks,” he says affably. “Can I buy you a celebratory beer?”
“Awww, that’s sweet, but I’m actually headed out.”
To my surprise, I see genuine disappointment in Reed’s eyes. “Well that sucks. I’ve been hoping to hang out with the prettiest Cold Fury fan for a while.”
My body jolts a little in surprise. When I’d met Reed four weeks ago, we spoke for maybe five minutes and I haven’t seen him since. I hadn’t gotten any vibe off him, but yeah…he’s actually being genuine here.
Before I can even think of what to say, he continues. “But I totally understand. Maybe after the play-offs are over I could entice you out to a nice dinner?”
And God, that’s so sweet.
And tempting. Especially given my utterly complete failure in snagging the actual man I do want.
Reed is a yes in all ways but one. Gorgeous and sweet. Genuinely a good guy by all appearances. An awesome hockey player and a Cold Fury to boot.
But he’s not Van.
Before I can even open my mouth to politely decline, though, I’m completely stunned when Van appears at my side and takes my elbow.
“I need to talk to you,” he says, and then to my complete astonishment he looks back to Reed. “She’s not interested by the way.”
Reed’s lips curl up in amusement. “And you know this how?”
“Because I room with her brother,” Van says blandly. “And let me rephrase…he wouldn’t want you to be interested in his sister.”
Reed chuckles but nods in acknowledgment. “I get it. And Lucas has enough shit on his plate to worry about.”
I give an audible sigh of appreciation of Reed’s genuine care for my brother. His eyes come down to mine and he winks. “Maybe we’ll talk after the play-offs.”
I’m not one to genuinely lead men on, but I can’t pass up the opportunity to dig the knife into Van’s back a little.
Giving Reed a flirty smile I tell him, “Yeah…let’s plan on doing that.”
I swear I can feel the rumble of a growl flowing from Van’s body, down through his arm, into his hand locked on to my elbow and into me. He tugs me away from Reed and I offer a tiny wave goodbye.
Van pulls me only a few feet, then releases his hold on me. My first instinct is to use the opportunity to flirt, perhaps joke about the way he pulled me away from a teammate in that fabulous display of jealousy. But I keep to my word and just tilt my head at him in question.
“I’m worried about your brother,” Van says in a low voice, and well…damn. The concern in his voice—from a man who seems to avoid personal relationships—causes my insides to melt. That’s as swoony to me as the way Max just kissed Jules.
“I am too,” I admit.