Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33281 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33281 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
"It is a favor, baby," I say, trying to sway her to the Dark Side. "I have a concussion. I can't drive myself, and if I have to sit on a bus, I'll lose my mind."
"You have to have one to lose it, Atlas."
"If I'm out of my mind, it's only because you got me hit in the head with a puck."
"I got you hit?" she asks, incredulous. "How did I get you hit?"
"You walked into the arena and I saw my future. You think I was thinking about where the goddamn puck was, Temptation? Fuck no. All I was thinking about was you. So yeah, you got me hit."
"You are so full of it," she says, but her voice is soft.
"I'm dead serious."
"Why not have one of your teammates drive you?"
"They aren't nurses. My head is fucking killing me, Temptation. I'm exhausted and dizzy as shit. I can't focus or walk a straight line."
"Atlas, you need to see your doctor again," she says, her voice soft. "You probably shouldn't be traveling at all."
"The team can't afford for your brother to bench me for the rest of the season, baby."
"Your health is more important than the game, Atlas." The disapproval in her voice comes through loud and clear. "There's always next season. But you can't undo permanent damage to your brain."
"I know, and I don't intend to cause permanent damage. I won't return before the Doc clears me," I promise. "But your brother is a hard ass when it comes to this shit. It's our first season. How we perform this season is critical for some of these guys. It's critical for determining whether there's a future for this team. If I'm out, it's going to seriously fuck things up."
Gabbi huffs in my ear, trying to convince me that she isn't buying what I'm selling, but I'm not lying to her. We've got a lot riding on this season. Contracts, who gets called up, how much the AHL invests in our success as a team…it all depends in part on how we perform. If I'm out all season and Chuck is in the net, we're all fucked.
"I'll be far better off with a nurse at my side than I would if I tried to make the trip without, Temptation."
"I'm not a nurse yet."
"You're working on your graduate degree in nursing. I think you're qualified."
"How do you know that?" she demands.
"Google."
"You Googled me?"
"I Googled the shit out of you. You look cute as hell on the 'Gram."
"Oh my god. Stop stalking my social media!"
"Uh, hell no. Have you seen how hot you are?"
"You're impossible."
"I wouldn't have to be if you'd say yes already." She knows I'm not just talking about this trip. I'm talking about us. I know she's on the verge of giving in to all of it. She's just afraid to take the leap and see where it leads.
I appreciate that she's trying to look out for my career, but I don't need her to protect me. I can handle myself. The only thing she needs to worry about is doing what makes her happy. I have a feeling she hasn't done much of that in her life. She worries too much about everyone else. I've known her for two days, and I know that much about her.
She loves fiercely and defends the people who matter to her like a little mama bear. I'm guessing she's done it her entire life, putting everyone else first. Doing what she was supposed to do to keep her brothers from worrying.
It's time for her to take a leap and live for herself.
"I'll pay for everything, including separate hotel rooms if you'd prefer to have your own," I say, trying to sweeten the deal. "All you have to do is drive."
"Is this even allowed?" she demands.
"Of course, it's allowed," I say, technically not lying to her. Coach may not be thrilled, but there's no rule preventing it. The way I see it, I have two days to convince her that she wants to be mine, despite her brother. If she doesn't agree, I'm going to her brother regardless of what she has to say.
The chips will fall where they will then. Either I'll be blackballed, and he'll no longer be my boss…or he'll kill me, and it won't matter. Maybe it's the concussion talking, but it seems to me like taking two days to try to convince her to fall for me before I fight fire with fire seems like the safest bet.
Her brother may be overprotective, but I doubt he'd kill me if doing it would make her unhappy. So I just need to make sure it'll make her unhappy.
What better way than spending two days locked in a car with her, destroying her defenses?
It's a genius plan, really. Concussed me may be the smartest me yet.