Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55599 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55599 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
“Of course Dane is tamable,” a woman with flawless makeup and bright red nails says. “You just have to let him have his fun and always be there when he’s done.”
“I don’t expect to be the only woman,” another woman says. “I just want to be the only legit one, you know? The one in pictures with him.”
“Exactly. I’m going to introduce you when the time is right. Just trust me.”
I look over at Jenn and Elena to see if they heard the conversation. Jenn’s completely focused on the game. Elena leans over and softly says, “We’ll talk later.”
I take Elena’s advice and eat a soft pretzel. I’m nervous about flying again tonight, but it’s inevitable. And this time, I’ll be smarter and not sit next to Dane.
The Mammoths win the game 2–1. Dane has to do interviews afterward and then shower. I’ve been sitting on the floor in the hallway outside the locker room reading a book for more than an hour when he finally walks out of the locker room.
His hair is damp from the shower and he’s dressed in a dark suit with a white dress shirt and a light-blue tie, his dress shoes shining. I feel frumpy next to him in my jeans, Vans and Mammoths T-shirt.
“Hey, Nosy,” he says in greeting.
“Hi.”
“Take this.”
He holds out his hand and I put my outstretched palm under it. He drops a little white pill into my hand.
“Dramamine. Take it now.”
“Oh.” I look up at him, surprised. “Thanks.”
“I just don’t want to get puked on.”
“Of course,” I say wryly. “I didn’t mean to insinuate you’re considerate or anything.”
He glares at me. “You’re a pain in my ass, you know that?”
“Likewise, Foster.”
His snoring woke me up last night and I couldn’t get back to sleep for two hours. Then I woke up this morning to a bathroom that smelled like a long-neglected public sewer.
Hopefully Dane will be more bearable in Boston than he was in Tampa. Somehow, though, I doubt it.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Josie
“She said to tell you she’s sorry she had to work so much and that she loves you more than anything.”
I sit up in bed with a gasp, my alarm waking me from a dream. After pushing a button on the screen to stop the alarm, I heave out a sigh, wishing I could fast-forward to bedtime.
It’s March 11. Three years ago, on this day, my mom was killed by a drunk driver. I didn’t make it to the hospital in time, so her final words to me were relayed by a nurse. Those words have haunted and comforted me since.
If only I could have told her not to feel guilty over working two jobs from the time I was in fourth grade until I finished high school. My dad took off and left her as a single mom, and she did whatever it took to care for me, even though it left her very little time for herself.
I didn’t get it as a child. Why she couldn’t be at my dance recitals. Why we never took vacations. I get it now, and I admire my mom’s resilience.
Dane walks out of the bathroom in a cloud of steam, a white towel wrapped around his waist. I force myself not to look because I don’t want to get busted again.
“You need the bathroom?” he asks.
“Yes.”
I gather my toiletries and clean clothes, trying to erase the mental image of the last time I saw my mom. The nurse told me seeing her body would give me closure, but it also gave me nightmares.
“I’m going down for breakfast,” Dane says. “Are you coming to the morning skate?”
“Might as well.”
“Bus leaves in thirty minutes.”
I walk past him and into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. I press my back to the door and close my eyes, tears sliding down my cheeks.
The flight to Boston was a little better than the Tampa flight, but I still threw up once and felt sick for most of it. We got to our hotel around four a.m., making the seven a.m. wake-up time feel downright offensive.
And now we get to do it all over again. After tonight’s game, we’ll fly to Seattle. I have to perk up because it’s going to be a long day. Hopefully coffee and concealer will get me through.
I take a quick shower, dry my hair, put on light makeup and dress in black leggings, a maroon cami, a gray cardigan sweater and black flats.
I’m taking part in a Zoom meeting with everyone at my office later this morning, and this is as professional as I can look while living out of a backpack.
After packing my things, I walk down to the hotel dining room, where most of the team and staff are eating breakfast.
Dane is sitting at a table with two other players and I take the remaining seat. He’s signing something for a little boy who’s smiling at him like he’s the greatest thing ever.