Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 86052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
I follow him out a side door that leads up a set of old, rickety stairs, and I’m thankful that he flicks on a light, showing me exactly where we’re going. We reach a door at the top, and he pulls out a bunch of keys from his pocket before fiddling around with them and releasing one silver key from the keychain.
Micky slides the key into the lock and opens it before handing me the key to my new castle.
He pushes his way through, and I follow behind, watching as he switches on the light, bringing the room to life. It’s a small, one bedroom apartment that looks as though it’s recently been remodeled. It’s perfect. It’s so much more than I could have dreamed of.
He leads me around the apartment, showing me where everything is and explaining that there should be enough food and water in the fridge to last a few days, but then I’ll need to go shopping. Tears begin to well in my eyes for the millionth time tonight, and as I desperately try to keep them from falling, Micky takes that as his cue to leave.
“Alright, Charli. I’ll leave you to it,” he says, backing toward the door. “There are clothes in the bedroom drawers and towels in the linen cupboard. I’ll meet you downstairs at eleven to introduce you to Layla and get you started on your training.”
“Thank you so much,” I tell him, wiping at my face and hoping I’m not snotting everywhere. “I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for your generosity.”
He gives me a tight smile and a small nod, appreciating just how grateful I am. “You’re going to be alright, kid,” he tells me, backing out of the room and pulling the door closed behind him. The soft thud of the closing door sounds through the small apartment before I hear his muffled tone on the other side. “Don’t forget to lock the door.” And with that, he leaves me in the safety of my new home.
Rushing over to the door, I flick the lock before turning around and really taking in the apartment before me. I can’t believe how amazing Micky has been. A complete stranger has just given me a job, a place to live, and is going to help me achieve my goal of becoming a hairdresser. Within a matter of minutes, the worst day of my life has just become one of the best.
Needing to get myself cleaned up, I search out the linen cupboard and grab a towel before heading off to the bathroom. Reaching into the shower, I turn on the taps, and as I wait for the water to warm, I strip off my wet clothes. Once the temperature is just right, I climb straight in, welcoming the hot water that flows over my chilled body and damp hair, thawing me from the inside out.
The bathroom is fully stocked with everything I could need, and with my feet still aching, I quickly wash off, being conscious of how much water I’m using.
Exhaustion takes over, but I force myself to stay up to dry my hair in fear of becoming sick after being in wet clothes for the past four or five hours. After heading into the bedroom, I scramble through the drawers and find a pair of cute pajamas that I can only assume belong to Layla. There’s also an underwear drawer, but I can’t bring myself to borrow another woman’s panties.
After quickly changing the sheets on the bed, I clamber out into the kitchen and search through every cupboard looking for a glass when I come across a small washing machine and dryer hidden behind a door. A wide grin rips across my face. I’ve never lived in a home with a washer and dryer. I would always have to lug my stepmother’s clothes to the laundromat and wait for hours while they washed. But this . . . well shit, this is like Christmas morning.
Wanting to have something to wear tomorrow, I grab my wet clothes from the bathroom and throw them in the wash before finally finding that cup and getting myself a glass of water.
I lay down in bed moments later and find myself drifting into a deep, well-needed sleep, and for the first time in years, I actually feel safe.
Chapter 3
XANDER
Game night is here, and I stand in the locker room listening as Coach Harris hits us with the type of pep talk that only a seasoned professional could possibly muster up. Not gonna lie, I always thought that once you’d heard one, they’d all sound the same. But not with Coach Harris. He really knows how to get his skaters pumped while also instilling the fear of God into them if they were to fuck up.
Within moments the team gets out on the ice, and I look over to Jaxon, who’s been in a foul mood all week. I follow his gaze up into the grandstand, noticing he’s scowling at some random girl who’s fully decked out in a Dragon’s jersey. I can’t help but wonder what the fuck is going on there. I haven’t known the guy for long, but I’m yet to see him be affected by any girl. There’s no denying it, she’s smoking hot, just like the chick beside her. Although I’m pretty sure that’s Bobby’s twin sister, Brianna.