Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 51827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
“I took the boys to a place that sells video games and we found this. They wanted to eat at home instead of going out so we could play it.”
“Did you dance?” I ask as I get a plate from the cabinet.
“I did. It’s fun; you should try it.”
“You bought it?”
“I bought it. We can dance anytime we want.”
It feels so domesticated, him talking about “we” while I eat the Chinese food he brought over. Every day we’ve been together has inched my heart closer to him. I’m not sorry we decided to go for it instead of worrying about what might happen, but it’ll be hard to adjust to a life without him here often, especially after several more months of it.
He glances at the basement door and speaks in a low tone. “My agent called earlier.”
My heart pounds nervously. “And?”
He crosses his arms. “Seattle wants a verbal commitment.”
We’ve had a few conversations about this. The money Seattle is offering is staggering to me. Seattle is so far away, but the team’s GM is offering what he’s been working toward his entire career—security for his family.
“I said no,” he says.
My stomach spins, unsure whether this is a good or a bad thing.
“Because of me?”
“Don’t think of it that way. A verbal offer is just that. It’s not binding.”
“But is it reliable? Like, could they screw you if you say yes and change the terms later? Or not offer a contract at all?”
“It’s unlikely.”
My stomach makes its choice, sinking. “Are you sure that’s what you want to do?”
“I’m sure.”
I set my plate down, unsettled. “I don’t want to cost you what you’ve worked so hard for.”
“I’m playing well, and my shoulder’s holding up.”
I nod, leaning back against the counter. “You know I’m in, right? No matter where you play, I still want to be with you. Like you said, it’s three or four years.”
“I know. But I’m not ready to lock myself in.”
I never thought I’d have anything to do with anyone’s multimillion-dollar career choices. And even when I knew what I was in for with Magnus, I didn’t expect it to feel so heavy.
His sister will likely never be able to live independently again. The Swedish healthcare and support system is good, but Magnus wants her to have the best rehab so she can recover as much as possible.
“Hey,” he says softly. “I’m not broke. I’m only spending a fraction of what I’m getting paid this year, and my investment guy is growing the rest.”
“I know, I just ...”
Don’t want to be responsible for you not being able to take care of your sister and mom.
I can’t say it out loud. It’s not just a passing thought, but a lead vest I can’t take off. An injury could end his career at any moment. A few months into his next season, it could all be over. Or he could play for another four or five years. It’s unknown, and the stakes are dangerously high.
“Talk to me,” he says.
He’s so unbelievably easy to look at. His hair is curling at the ends and he’s clean-shaven, wearing a Crush hoodie and lightweight black pants.
“I don’t want to be the reason you do something you regret later.”
“You won’t. I’m the one making this decision, but it affects you, too, so I want you to know what’s going on.”
I nod. “I’m happy you’re getting that kind of interest. You deserve it.”
“Money matters, but it’s not everything. I need to make enough, yeah, but now I have other considerations too. My life is infinitely better because of those considerations.”
I meet his pale-blue eyes across the island, aching to throw myself into his arms and take him to my bedroom. “Mine is, too.”
“You should eat. But you might have to fight Jules over the General Tso’s.”
I smile at him. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”
20
Magnus
* * *
Cole has turned into a vault. During games, he’s keeping his emotions locked inside, showing no reaction to things that would have sent him into orbit before.
Our home crowd is confused and disappointed, based on their social media posts and comments. But he’s sharper now. He’s scoring more and watching his shift length.
In our 3–0 win tonight, he and I both scored goals. Our team is narrowly holding on to first place, and there’s been a lot of online chatter about which players might be staying and going. Teams make more changes when they’re trying to position themselves well for the postseason.
I’ve been getting a lot of ice time on power plays and penalty kills, which means Turner likes what he’s seeing from me. Bash was recently removed from the PK team to make way for me, and I don’t think he likes it.
It doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but if he reads what the pundits are saying online, they seem to think I’m a better defensive player than he is, which is important on penalty kills.