Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 121764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
I let out a soft laugh, eyes losing focus on my hands.
“But it was like fighting against a rip current, man. We couldn’t do it. We made ourselves both miserable in our attempt. And last night, we decided we’d face whatever consequences we had to, but we were going to be together.” I swallowed. “It fucking sucks that you found out the way you did, and I’m sorry for that. But I’m not sorry for loving your sister. I will never apologize for that.”
Vince frowned. “You love her?”
“So much so I was willing to face your wrath and every judgmental prick who had something to say about it. So much so that I was ready to walk away from everything if I had to — including hockey. So much so that I couldn’t walk away from her even knowing she could do better, be better without me.”
He sighed, sinking into his chair, and I knew without him saying it that he understood.
He felt the same way about Maven.
“I can’t undo what’s already done,” I said. “But I can promise you that I will do everything I can to clean up this mess. More than that, I can promise you that no one in this world will love her harder than I will, and I will protect her with my fucking life.” I balled my hand into a fist and hit my chest. “With my life, brother. I know that, in your eyes, no one will ever be good enough for her, and I’m not arguing that fact. All I’m asking is that you let me try to be. I’m asking that, for once, you listen to her and what she wants — and trust that she’s old enough to make her own damn decisions.”
Vince smirked, cocking a brow at me. “Did you rehearse that?”
“Maybe a few hundred times when I couldn’t sleep last night.”
He chuckled, sitting up and planting his hands on his knees. “I hate that you lied to me,” he said. “But… I understand why you did. And I know what it’s like to have to keep a secret like that when all you want is for the world to know. I… I’m sorry,” he said, shocking himself and me both. “For being such a beast that you couldn’t come to me and tell me the truth. I couldn’t help it. She’s my little sister and I just…”
“I know,” I said, clamping a hand on his shoulder. He stiffened at first, but then relaxed, nodding.
“You’re one of my best friends, Jax,” he said, lifting his gaze to meet mine. “I know we don’t talk about the heavy stuff much, but we don’t have to for me to know you’ve been through it. I know you work harder than anyone, other than maybe Daddy P — and that doesn’t count because that man is a machine.”
We both chuckled at that.
“And I also know that if anyone will take care of my sister the way I have tried to, it’s you.”
Emotion hit my throat like a fist with those words, and I swallowed, nodding. “Thank you.”
The corners of his mouth tilted up, and then he stood, wiping a bit of dried blood from his knuckle. “So, do we hug now or what?”
I stood, too, opening my arms for him to bring it in.
But before he could, I nut tapped him, and then took off running down the hall.
Vince hobbled after me, half-groaning and half-threatening my life as I swung into the locker room where our teammates were just coming in off the ice. I weaved through them with Vince chasing me, but this time we were both laughing, and when he finally caught me, he grabbed my underwear and pulled hard, giving me the worst wedgie of my life.
Carter jumped in on the fun, grabbing the back of Vince’s jersey and pulling it up over his head. That made Vince run straight into a locker door that was open and curse before he was chasing Carter — all while I attempted to dig my underwear out of my ass.
Daddy P rolled his eyes, but I saw the smirk he hid.
My chest was instantly lighter, my heart beating steadier. I knew there was still a shit show to navigate with the media, but with Vince’s blessing, I felt like everything else we had to face was like a basket full of kittens.
Today, I would focus on showing up for my team, on kicking New York’s ass and starting our season off with two home game wins in a row.
And tonight, I’d start my next adventure with Grace.
With just Grace.
I couldn’t wait to see where the road would take us this time.
The Idea of a Home
Grace
My parents wouldn’t let me go to the game.
For once, I didn’t feel like kicking and screaming and demanding to make my own decisions like the adult I was. Because as much as I wanted to be there for Jaxson and for Vince, I knew I wasn’t ready to face the swarm of cameras — professional or otherwise.