Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 107687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Oh man. I hook my thumb over my shoulder. “Should I go back to your office?”
“Not at all,” Shelli snaps at me, and instantly, I pop myself on the wrist. Not sure why, but their interaction is a lot for me.
“I am upset because he doesn’t belong on the team, he isn’t good, and you’re out there coaching him!”
“Yes, because I am a coach, and he is my player.”
“Posey! Are you kidding me?”
What an odd name. I may like it? Posey seems very unfazed by her sister and shrugs. “This is not a joking matter, Shelli. I am a coach. I am here to help the guys and help them help us get the Cup back in Nashville.”
“I don’t want him to be a part of that. He is sloppy!”
“So, I’ll clean him up.”
“He took part of my salary cap.”
“So? That’s over and done with. We’re moving on, sister. You’ve been holding on to whatever you’ve got against him since Christmas. Let it go. He just wants to play, and if he makes the cut, that’s great.”
“Of course he’s going to make it if you’re helping him!”
I scrunch up my face in confusion, just as Posey does. The Assassins have been built on the notion that they are a family and care for everyone who skates into their life. Shelli’s words don’t match the foundation and philosophy I just spent hours listening to. Since I have no leg to stand on, I don’t say anything.
Posey, on the other hand, has a lot to say. “So, let me get this straight. You want him to fail?”
Shelli presses her lips together. “Posey, he won’t be an asset to this team.”
“I disagree. Mom disagrees—hell, I bet if your assistant knew his background, saw the tapes, with my commentary, she’d see it too.” Then Posey shakes her head. “Is this why you’ve been dodging Dad’s calls? ’Cause you know he’ll tell you the same? You’re being ridiculous, Shelli. And since you aren’t getting your way, your spoiledness is hanging out. Tuck it back in and do your job.”
Shelli takes a step toward her sister. In her heels, she’s Posey’s height, but in my view, Posey doesn’t even back down an inch. Though, I may have taken a step back.
Snap, snap, snap, and snap.
“Watch your tone with me, Posey. I am your boss,” Shelli says in a very low and demanding voice.
Posey laughs at that, and even I react. By cringing and backing away more. Shelli, she starts shaking. “A boss is a leader. You aren’t acting like a leader. You’re acting like a spoiled brat, mad ’cause the guy you tried to sleep with wouldn’t sleep with you a thousand years ago. You’re married, pregnant, and have a child at home. GM of the best team in the NHL, and you’re holding a grudge against a guy who doesn’t give two shits about you.” Posey moves closer. “Get your hormones under control, Shelli. God don’t like ugly.”
With that, Posey turns on her heel, but then she pauses. Her eyes fall on me, and she says, “Sorry, she’s hormonal, and I’m not one to deal with her. It’s nice to meet you.” She holds out her hand to me. I take it, wide-eyed, as she adds, “I’m Posey Adler-Hoenes. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Austen McDavid.”
Her lips curve as she adjusts her child, who isn’t really on her hip, but in a sling against her body. “Are you the new farm team GM?”
I grin, and whoa, talk about a 180 in tone. “I am.”
“Nice. I met your grandpa. He speaks very highly of you.”
I smile proudly. “I’m ready to learn from the best.”
She chuckles, nodding. “I mean, we are, not that she’s showing that right now.” She cuts her gaze to Shelli. “Do us all a favor. Have her take you to the med concourse, and check her in for some therapy.”
Shelli flips her sister the bird, and Posey just laughs as she walks away. As I watch her and Shelli seethes with fury beside me, I wonder what it’s like at family events. They both seem like such firecrackers, and I assume their mom is the same.
“Don’t you have three brothers?”
Shelli looks over at me. “I do.”
“Are they all like the two of you are together?”
“What do you mean?
“You two are explosive.”
Shelli scoffs. “My brothers are worse.”
I smile because even though she is trying to be mad and serious, she has a small smile on her face. “I bet holidays are fun with such a big family.”
Gone is the loving look as she shakes her head. “It’s World War Three, but none of us has died yet, so we keep gathering. But I see our demise on the horizon if I don’t get my hormones under control.”
“I mean, you’re passionate,” I say kindly, and she laughs.