Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
River shakes his head. “Holy shit. I never thought I’d see the day.”
“And there you have it, folks, McNichols is officially off the market,” Oliver says with a laugh.
“Hardly,” I mutter, slinging my bag over my shoulder. “Wedding bells aren’t ringing just yet, okay? Take it down a notch. A few of you get wifed up and suddenly everybody else has to follow suit.”
Jax grins. “So, what you’re saying is she’ll be gone by next month?”
My lips press into a flat line. That’s exactly what all of them expect. And if this were anyone else, they’d be right.
“We’re not serious,” I say, even though the words feel like a lie the second they leave my mouth. “We’re just taking everything slowly.”
It’s a ridiculous thing to say about a relationship that was never supposed to be real.
Laiken folds his arms. “Famous last words.”
“Another one bites the dust,” Steele adds.
“Please,” I mutter, heading for the door before this turns into even more of an inquisition. But as I leave the room, Jax’s words stick with me.
She’ll be gone by next month.
Everything inside me pushes back hard enough to be almost physical. And I don’t know what the hell to do with that.
By the time I hit the hallway, my grip on my bag has tightened. The truth is that I don’t know how to explain this situation to myself, let alone anyone else. All I know is I want to get home. That thought hits me halfway down the corridor, and I slow for a second before frowning.
Home.
Not back to my place.
But to her and the space we’re sharing.
That’s new.
I scrub a hand along my jaw and keep walking. Instead of heading for the exit, I turn toward the front offices, stopping outside Evelyn’s door before knocking.
Her voice rings out a second later. “Come in.”
After stepping inside the bright space, I close the door. The team owner sits behind her desk, glasses perched low on the bridge of her nose, looking over something on her tablet. She glances up and smiles when she sees me.
“Well, this is certainly a surprise,” she says, removing the glasses. “Should I be concerned? You only come looking for me when you’re in trouble.”
A lopsided smile tugs at my mouth as I drop into the chair across from her desk. “That only happened a few times during my first season. I’ve matured since then.”
“Debatable.”
I huff out a laugh and rub the back of my neck. “So… I have a question.”
Her brows lift. “All right. Sounds serious.”
“It’s not,” I say automatically, which only seems to pique her interest even more. “I wanted to know if Cheyenne could watch the next game in the suite.”
“Oh?” She leans back in her chair.
I jerk my shoulders, as if it’s no big deal. “With all the attention she’s been getting lately, I figured it’d be easier if she wasn’t out in the regular seats.”
Evelyn studies me for a long moment. “Well, this is certainly a first.”
I frown. “What is?”
“You asking to have a woman in the suite.”
I open my mouth as an excuse hovers on the tip of my tongue.
She’s Britt’s sister.
Practically family.
It’s not that big of a deal.
Instead, I say, “Yeah. I guess it is.”
Her brows rise higher. “I can only assume this woman is special.”
I hold her gaze for a second before sidestepping the comment. “I want her to be safe.”
It’s one hundred percent accurate, but what I don’t say is that I’ll focus better if I know exactly where she is. That I’m already rearranging my world around her. That the thought of her sitting unprotected in a crowded arena has panic rising inside me.
She folds her hands on the desk. “You’ve never asked for something like this before.”
I give a half shrug. “Guess there was never a reason.”
“And now there is?”
Air leaks from my lungs as I consider my response. This woman has known me long enough to spot bullshit from a mile away, and there’s no point pretending she doesn’t see straight through me.
“She’s dealing with some stuff right now,” I say carefully. “And I’m just trying to make things a little easier.”
Understanding flashes across Evelyn’s expression. “I’m sorry to hear that. Cheyenne is welcome in the suite any time she’d like. I’d be happy to have her.”
Relief spirals through me. “Thanks. I really appreciate it.”
I push to my feet, ready to get the hell out of here before this woman decides to dig any deeper into my personal life. I’m almost afraid of what she’ll find.
I’m halfway across the room when there’s a knock.
Evelyn’s attention shifts past me. “Yes?”
The door opens, and Hugh steps inside, stopping short when his gaze lands on me.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“You’re not,” I say quickly, already moving aside.
It would be impossible not to notice the subtle shift of energy in the room.