Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
“What? Are you fucking kidding me? We’ve got a game tomorrow night, Randy.”
“And the league has made it known they don’t want you practicing or playing until this is over.”
“Randy, this is bullshit. We’re making a push for the playoffs—”
“I know. And you’re not wrong. This is bullshit, but the Commissioner himself called me and asked me to sit you until—”
“Fuck the Commissioner,” I growl as I jump to my feet. “I’m innocent, Randy. I am fucking innocent. This is all bullshit.”
“My hands are tied, Dawson. There is literally nothing I can do about this. We have to be patient and let this process play out.”
“Piss test me, Randy. I’ll take a test right now. I will fill that coffee mug on your desk while you watch.”
“It’s not that easy. And you’ve been around long enough to know that. Now… just go home. Go spend time with this new girl you’re seeing. Have her help you get your mind off all this shit. Everything is going to work out.”
“Yeah. Sure.”
I storm out of Randy’s office and slam the door behind me, silently vowing to myself that I’m going to find whoever did this and beat them to a pulp.
13
DAWSON
“I can’t believe they suspended you,” Devon says.
“They’re not calling it a suspension,” I growl. “Not officially.”
“What happened, Dawson?”
I shake my head and tell her about my conversation with Randy. She listens to me and as I describe the allegations made against me, I see a flash of something like recognition and fear in her eyes. It was there for just a moment and then it was gone, replaced by a glimmer of concern again. But I’m sure I saw it.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Nothing. I just can’t believe that happened.”
“Yeah, that makes two of us.”
“What are you going to do?”
“What can I do? All I can do is sit still and wait for the league to test me and make their decision.”
“This doesn’t seem fair. It doesn’t seem right that somebody can make anonymous allegations like that and you end up paying the price for it.” Her forehead furrows, and she huffs. “Especially when there’s no proof you did anything. I mean, how is that fair?”
“It’s not fair. But the league is so scared of the taint of PED use, they’re quick to have a knee-jerk reaction. I mean, yeah, some guys have gotten busted for using them, but their default setting shouldn’t be guilty until proven innocent because most of us haven’t touched a PED in our lives and never would.” I pinch the bridge of my nose and snap my eyes shut. “It’s absolute bullshit.”
My mind keeps flashing back to that look I saw in her eyes. It’s like she knows something but is afraid to tell me. But then, I figure I’m so twisted about it, I’m probably being paranoid. There’s no way Devon knows anything. She doesn’t move in this world.
I mean, she barely understands the sport of hockey as it is. Something about that look in her eye continues to bother me, and I turn to her, just about to ask her about it when she offers me a gentle smile.
“I guess if you’re looking for a silver lining, it’s that we get to spend a little more time together while you’re waiting it out. I mean… I don’t mean to make light of this situation or anything—”
I lean forward and plant a soft kiss on her forehead. “No, you’re right. That is a silver lining. Spending time with you will definitely help take my mind off all this shit.”
She gives me a flirtatious smile. “I bet I can give you something better to focus on.”
“Think so, huh?”
“I do.”
“Show me.”
She moves over and straddles my lap, wrapping her arms around the back of my neck then leans forward and presses her mouth to mine.
Well, then.
Her lips and tongue are sweet like the cherry soda she was just drinking, and as I stiffen beneath her, she slowly rocks her hips, rubbing her warm, wet center against me. I pull back from her kiss and smile at Devon.
“That’s a good start. I’m starting to focus on something better.”
“Mmmm good.”
I stand, picking Devon up along with me. She wraps her legs around my waist and holds on tight as I carry her into the bedroom and set her down on her feet.
I take a minute to soak her in. It’s not just her beauty that has captivated me. She’s so much more than just her physical appearance. She’s such a calming presence and a soothing balm for my soul that even with this shitstorm raining down around me, all I can focus on is her.
“Take off your clothes,” I say.
With a sultry smile on her lips, Devon pulls off her sweater and throws it to the side. After that, she shimmies out of her black leggings, and it joins the sweater on the floor on the other side of the room, leaving her in just her bra and panties. My heart races and I’m already impossibly hard as my eyes travel over her smooth, soft, porcelain skin. I step forward and trail the tips of my fingers over the swell of her hips, up her sides, and along the curve of her full, round breasts.