Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“Shit, Seth.” He drops his head into his hand for a second before he shakes his head and closes the distance between us. I’m swamped in his arms, and as soon as my face is buried in his chest, a couple of tears sneak out. “You’re shaking.”
“I can’t lose you. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”
Richie doesn’t speak at first, and I’m worried he’s still angry. Then he lets out a long breath that relaxes his whole body against mine. “I know you are.” His hand clutches the back of my head. “But that really wasn’t okay.”
“I know.”
“I mean it. You don’t get to make those choices for me. Even if you think I’m doing the wrong thing, you need to support me—talk to me—otherwise, this will never work.”
“I will. I promise.” And after that scare, I’ll buy pom-poms to show my support if I have to. I know I’m pushing it a little as I pull back and meet his eyes. “And maybe, the first thing I can support you in is, umm, this interview?”
At first I think he’s going to snap at me again, or refuse to do it which might even be worse. His eyes close, and he rests his forehead against mine. “I need some time to think about it first. Today has been …”
“Yeah.” I hug him tighter. “I know.”
We hold each other for a long time, neither of us wanting to let go. I know that just because our fight seems to be wound up, there’s going to be a lot we still need to work out. I have to stop projecting my issues onto him, and Richie needs to accept that playing hockey isn’t the only thing that can make him happy.
We eventually part for long enough to grab some drinks and head up to my room. We don’t talk much, but we never stop touching each other. There’s still a charged energy in the room, but I can’t help feeling closer to him than ever, and when he finally strips me down and pushes inside me, the anxiety in my gut settles.
With him owning my body, mouth sealed over mine only breaking away long enough to pant out how much he loves me, I know that we can get through anything.
32
Cohen
“It’s a foot in the door, but the great thing about the Monarchs is there’s room for advancement. We all started where you are at some point.” Amy smiles at me.
“I know I don’t have the best grades, but I’m passionate about hockey, and I know I can do this job.”
I think the interview is going well, but I’m not getting my hopes up. If I get it, it’ll be a big move for both Seth and me. He’s willing to move to Montreal for me, and that … I have no words for that.
While I’m still mad at how this came about, I can’t be mad at the gesture. He honestly thought he was doing what was best, and in a way, I love him more for it. But in other ways, hell yeah, I’m still pissed.
“A foot in the door is all I need. I’m not ready to say goodbye to hockey.”
“You know you won’t actually be on the ice, right?” She laughs nervously as if I’m that dumb. In her defense, after our phone call and her looking at my college transcripts in front of her, she’s probably wondering how I even got into college.
“I came to a game here a few months ago, and I said how I’d be a janitor if it meant I got to stay in the hockey world.”
“Oh, we have a janitor position available if you’re interested.”
My eyes widen.
“I’m joking, but I think you’re the type of person we need in this role. You’ve already proven you can handle the social media side of things with your Instagram feed. You’ll be posting from the team’s accounts, so we need someone who knows actual hockey facts and terminology. Being a fan of hockey isn’t enough. We want someone with firsthand knowledge. Or at least can tell the difference between a goal line and a blue line. You can’t just tweet about how hot the guys look.” She purses her lips. “We won’t be making that mistake again.”
“Well, Foster Grant is my boyfriend’s twin brother, so I kind of do think at least one of your players is hot.” Although, thinking of Foster that way is gross.
Thank God they’re not identical.
She’s silent for a moment, like she doesn’t know what to say. “Well, it sounds like if you moved here, you’ll have family and friends.”
“I will.” It didn’t even occur to me to keep Seth and me a secret. Should I have? Ugh, this is why I suck at interviews. I think sometimes I’m too honest. Like telling her how my grades suck. But then again, she would’ve seen that in my transcripts.