Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 124005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
“That would be great.”
I leave her to it and return to my office. My mood is buoyant and my relief is overwhelming. Topher was toxic to the culture, and while he wasn’t the only person who made things difficult here, he was certainly the loudest and the worst of them. Knowing I don’t have to deal with him anymore is a weight lifted.
Shilpa pokes her head in at ten after five, glancing over her shoulder and lowering her voice. “I hear a celebration is in order.”
“What are we celebrating?” Dallas asks, appearing out of nowhere.
“You’re early.”
“Honey, my sweetness.” He skirts around Shilpa with a quiet sorry. “Of course I’m early, I haven’t seen you in six hours. It’s too long. I need a fix.”
“How are you going to deal when you have away games?” I tip my head up to accept a kiss.
“Video call you relentlessly. And I might have already ordered a body pillow in your likeness.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Totally kidding.” He shakes his head. “Anyway, what are we celebrating? Other than you being the badassiest badass.”
“Topher got fired,” Shilpa replies.
“Hallelujah. It’s about damn time. That guy is a super dick. Like the most saggy dick of all dicks. That absolutely is a reason to celebrate."
My phone buzzes on my desk. I have a message from Shilpa. I look up to find her no longer standing in the doorway. “I agree. I can handle a lot of bullshit, but his was next level. Still, I hope there isn’t backlash.”
He takes my hand in his. “This is your team, and the Terror is your family. It’s why you’re still here and he’s not. He was the problem, not you.”
“I know. And I’m not sad he’s gone. I just feel…I don’t know…like I don’t want to give anyone another reason to hate me.” Which I realize is a stupid thing to be worried about, but I’ve spent so much time being the person people talk shit about, it’s hard not to fall right back into the crap.
“Topher was a jerk and he inspired other people to be jerks. He was a bully, and he needed to go. He’s an example that needed to be set a long-ass time ago, and hopefully people will learn how to behave now that he’s gone. And I hope like hell he learns something from it, too. It’s doubtful though since he’s a narrow-minded prick. Now repeat after me: I’m a badass.”
I give him a look.
“Say it.”
“I’m a badass.”
“Like you mean it.”
I bite my lips together.
He arches a brow.
“I’m a badass,” I say with absolute authority.
“That’s my girl. I love you. Endlessly.” He kisses the end of my nose and cups my face in his palms, slanting his mouth over mine in a sweet kiss. He doesn’t deepen it though, likely because we’re in the office and my door is still partly open.
“You are the definition of the perfect boyfriend,” I say. “And I love you, too.”
“Only took me a decade to earn that title. You ready to go? Shilps and Ash and the rest of them are already there.”
“I’m ready.”
Dallas shoulders my purse while I shut my computer down and pick up my phone. I frown at the new alert.
“What’s wrong?”
“Brooklyn posted in the reunion group and whatever it is, everyone is commenting.”
“Oh yeah. I saw that earlier.” Dallas rubs his bottom lip.
“Is it concerning?” I ask, suddenly nervous.
“For us? No. Brooklyn called her wedding off. I guess she caught Sean cheating and thought the reunion group was the best place to share that.” Dallas tips his head, like he’s gauging my response.
“That’s awful.” She wasn’t a good friend to me, but I still won’t wish her ill will.
“It is. But I don’t know that broadcasting it will make her feel better.” He tips my chin up. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I am. And so thankful that I have you.”
He brushes his lips over mine. “I feel the same way.”
He threads his fingers through mine and we leave the office and walk to the Watering Hole to meet our friends. When we arrive, Hammer, Shilps, Rix, Tally, Essie, and Dred are already at a table with Tristan, Nate, Flip, Hollis, Roman, and Ash.
“You gonna tell us what the deal is with you and Grace now that’s he on our team?” Roman asks.
“Nope.” Flip slurps his Coke.
Dallas shrugs. “Some guys don’t get along with each other.”
“He was a douche back then, and he’s still a douche now. If this is what we’re talking about, I’m going home,” Flip grumbles.
“Tally, how’s university life treating you?” I ask.
“Good.” Her lips pull to the side. “It’s different. I keep getting asked out by the guys on the hockey team, though.” She rolls her eyes. “It’s annoying.”
“Stay away from those guys. They’re a bunch of walking hard-ons,” Flip mutters.
“People who live in glass houses…” Dred counters.