Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
Reese changed things.
Opened up parts of me I didn't know I’d closed off when I became a caretaker in my family almost a decade ago.
I don’t think she’s playing a role or still doing her best to drag me along in this effort to get views on the page, but after not seeing her, holding her, touching her, or hell, even having long phone conversations with her like we used to in the beginning, it’s hard not to think about it.
To not think about the possibility that she may be enacting some sort of revenge against me for being a cocky bastard with a mission to get under her skin anytime I could in the past.
Maybe I deserve to have my heart broken.
Maybe that's what love is—opening yourself up to all sorts of pain and panic and questionability.
Fuck, I've never dealt with it before. And I certainly don’t enjoy this part. I never used to question anything, and now I’m questioning everything. Insecurity isn’t something I usually have, but I can’t deny it now. And I hate it because we were both doing so damn well.
Her with her page and us soaring through playoffs with a real shot at the Cup. The Badgers had never performed so well, and I couldn't be prouder. My dad was on the mend, in a way that we never thought possible, and the bills we're getting paid. Not only that, the deals that I’d gotten because of the attention on social media allowed me to take care of my family in a way I always hoped. I’m finally able to save for myself too. Everything is falling into place except for the distance I’m feeling.
I shake my head, doing my best to breathe out of this sensation.
I know Reese.
Sure, we liked to joke around, but that’s one of the things that makes us work so well.
There’s never a dull moment, everything is surprising.
She wouldn't play me.
I dry myself off after the shower, the locker room absolutely vibrating with excitement thanks to our recent string of wins.
I should be focused on that.
Should be focused on the fact that our team is in sync in a way we’ve never been before.
But I can't stop thinking about how bad it’s going to hurt if I made a serious mistake in giving my heart to Reese.
Fucking hell, how do people do this relationship thing even once, let alone multiple times?
I get dressed, sliding a shirt over my head, and the angle has my viewpoint snagging on a group of guys across the way. Daniel is glaring at me like I shit in his gear bag.
I do a double-take, looking behind me to make sure he's looking at me the way I think he's looking at me.
There’s no one behind me.
I tilt my head, nodding to him.
“What's going on, Daniel?” I ask.
He walks over to me, the look on his face more severe now that I've acknowledged him.
His two closest friends flank either side, and all my senses perk up, adrenaline slicing through my veins as I feel an approaching fight coming on.
I rack my brain, questioning my instincts. Daniel has no reason to be mad at me, let alone try to fight me. We just had a badass practice and won a playoff game last night for fuck’s sake. Is the veteran mad because he didn't have enough ice time? That shit is expected after being on the team so long, and I always thought he was fine with that.
He stops in front of me, his jaw flexing, hands fisted at his side.
“What the fuck is your problem?” I finally ask.
Lawson and Pax must hear the tone of my voice, because the two of them head across the locker room and flank my side, the sight of the six of us staring each other down creating quite the scene.
“Your girlfriend is my fucking problem,” Daniel snaps.
I shift my weight. The dude looks ready to throw a swing, and I’ve got no idea why. “What the hell are you talking about, man?”
Daniel shifts closer.
I've never seen him so livid. He’s usually the guy who opts to man the grill at Clay’s parties—full dad vibes.
But not right now.
“Your fucking girlfriend,” he says again, so close that he almost spits in my face. “She's ruining my goddamn life. She doesn’t even have the respect to respond to me, and you couldn't care less. Too busy worshipping the ground she walks on over giving two shits about your teammates. The people you've played with for years.” He shoves me backward, a forceful blow that has me coming back in a full swing on instinct.
Pax grabs my arm, hauling me backward before I make connection with Daniel's jaw.
“I don't have a clue what you're talking about!”
“Act like you're clueless,” Daniel fires back. “I'm getting death threats!” he yells. “People are showing up at my house. Women are bombarding my wife with messages. All because of those videos Reese has been posting. My wife is scared to go out in public!”