Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 92422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Before I can think of an excuse to wiggle out of this impromptu date, Colby says, “You know what? I have a great idea.” He flashes another smile. “Make sure you dress warm.”
4
COLBY
Did this girl really think she could evade me so easily?
Yeah, not happening.
The proof is that she’s sitting beside me in my black Cadillac Escalade.
And she’s none too happy about it, either.
I glance at Britt as she stares straight out the windshield. She hasn’t given me more than one-worded responses since sliding into the truck.
Lance, on the other hand, has been doing enough talking for the three of us.
He seems like a nice enough dude. Wicked smart, from what I can tell.
Another observation?
He has a thing for his hot neighbor.
The way he stares at her as if she hung the moon and stars in the sky hasn’t gone unnoticed by yours truly. As far as I can tell, Britt is either oblivious to his crush or she doesn’t return his feelings. I’m leaning toward door number two.
“This is a really nice truck,” Lance says, positioning himself between us so he can check out the dash. “It’s the top-of-the-line package, right?”
“Yup.”
He strokes his hand over the leather. “This right here is the dream.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. I’ve already got a cyber security job lined up after graduation this spring. With the salary they’re paying me, I should be able to buy one of these babies within eight months for straight-up cash. Then, a year later, I’ll buy a starter home. Hopefully the interest rates will still be low. The plan is to live there for about five years before turning the property into a rental.”
“Wow.” My brows draw together as I take a left at the light. “You’ve really got it all figured out.”
“You have to.” He pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Can’t just leave things to chance.”
“That’s really fantastic,” Britt adds. “It’s important to have a road map of where you want to go in life.”
“Exactly,” he says with a nod.
I didn’t think it was possible for Lance’s smile to broaden, but I was wrong. He’s practically preening from the compliment.
The only future I’ve contemplated involves hockey. From a young age, it was a given that I’d follow in my father’s illustrious footsteps. Coaches, parents, and other players always made a fuss over me because I was Gray McNichols’ son. His NHL career spans more than a dozen years before he landed a plum sportscasting gig on ESPN.
I’ve worked hard to live up to his legend and have lost track of all the hours spent on the ice. There have been private coaching sessions that cost an arm and leg. Along with the highest-level triple A travel teams and summer camps.
You name it, I did it.
As important as hockey is, Mom always made sure I understood my education came first. Even when I had the opportunity to play juniors after high school. She wanted me to attend college and graduate with a degree.
It goes without saying that I would have preferred to play for a minor team these past four years, but it all worked out in the end. I’ll graduate with a degree in communications, just like my old man. If I’m lucky, my career will have a similar trajectory. I’ll play in the pros for at least a decade before landing a broadcasting job.
Or maybe I’ll go in a different direction and try my hand at college coaching instead.
So…yeah. Maybe Lance isn’t the only one with a mental roadmap in place.
Mine just isn’t as finely detailed.
I swing into the gravel parking lot.
“We’re ice skating?” Lance asks, head still positioned between the seats like a labrador as he stares at the outdoor rink near the center of town.
“Yup. I thought it would be fun.” I glance at Britt to get a read on her thoughts.
She looks…intrigued.
Which is way better than the irritation that’s been wafting off her in suffocating waves.
“I don’t know,” Lance mumbles with a frown. “I haven’t skated since I was a kid. I’m not sure if I’ll be any good.”
I give him an awkward pat on the shoulder. “It’s just like riding a bike.”
“Yeah…I think it might be a little more challenging than that.” He swivels toward Britt before rallying. “But I’m game if you are.”
She flashes him an encouraging smile. “Sure, it looks fun. We can give it a whirl and see what happens.”
“Great, let’s go.” I pop the trunk where I keep an extra pair of skates. Like hell I’m using my hockey ones. This ice would totally fuck up the blades.
We exit the SUV and I grab my Bauers before we stop at the little wooden shack and pick up a pair of rentals for Britt and Lance. Then the three of us settle on a long stretch of bench, slip off our shoes, and slide our feet into the boots. After mine have been laced up tight, I straighten to my full height.