Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Chapter Eight
Sebastian
Ikeep my girl nice and close as we step out of the limo in front of Van Morgan’s giant mansion. A group of paparazzi are hanging around with cameras and vulturous looks on their faces. Their eyes light up when they see me.
“Watch it,” I warn in a growl as they come swarming over, shoving lights and cameras in our faces. I don’t care if they take pictures of me, but I don’t want them near my girl. I’m used to the craziness of fame, but Alina didn’t sign up for this.
I pull her behind me as a microphone is thrust into my face.
“Sebastian, is this your fiancée?” the reporter with the cardboard hair asks.
My hands squeeze into fists when I see them trying to get Alina on camera. Every protective instinct in my body awakens like an enraged beast. She’s mine.
I push a cameraman away and he falls on his ass. That will probably cost me fifty grand, but I don’t care. I’m ready for more.
I whip my head around, glaring at the next guy rushing over to take his place. I’m going to smash my knuckles into his jaw if he points that camera at my girl.
“It’s okay,” Alina says in a soft voice.
My teeth are gritted as I look down at her. My muscles are flexed. My body tense. Livid heat is ripping through me like a firestorm.
Alina gently touches my arm and smiles up at me. “It’s all good, Sebastian,” she whispers to me. “I know what I signed up for and I don’t mind.”
I’m still breathing heavily as she steps forward with a radiant smile. “I’m Alina Hoover,” she says to the nosy reporter. “It’s so nice to meet you all.”
“Are you engaged to Sebastian Kemp?” the reporter asks with that damn microphone in her face.
“I sure am,” she says as she shoots me a smile over her shoulder.
My fists are still clenched and I’m taking deep heavy breaths, but I’m starting to calm down. I have to realize that my girl can take care of herself. She’s done it without me for years.
“How did you two meet?”
“Well, I was in grade two,” she says with a laugh. There are about ten cameras on her, but she doesn’t seem flustered at all. She’s amazing. “I went over to my friend’s house to play Barbies and I saw him for the first time. He was sitting on the couch, playing video games. He had these blue shorts on that were too short for him—he was always growing so fast—and an X-Men T-shirt. His hair was all messy and sticking up in the back. As soon as I saw him, I fell in love. I knew he was the one for me.”
I’m rocked as she turns around with a shy smile.
She remembers that? I thought I was the only one.
I remember seeing her walk into my living room with her brown hair in a ponytail, tied back with about four different color scrunchies. She was so cute. For the first time ever, I realized what it was like to have a crush.
I spent the afternoon pretending like I didn’t notice her, but I did. I kept glancing at her out of the corner of my eyes, wondering why I couldn’t stop.
She answers a few more questions and then they turn to me.
“Sebastian, are you signing with The Hyenas?” one of them asks.
“No comment,” I grunt.
“Wouldn’t it be exciting to have the great Sebastian Kemp playing in San Antonio?” Alina asks with a grin, hyping me up. “I’m sure the amazing people of San Antonio would love to have the Stoney Cup brought to their lovely city for the first time ever, don’t you think?”
“So, does that mean he’s signing with The Hyenas?” the reporter asks, turning his microphone to her.
“We’ll see,” she says with a knowing grin. “Maybe. Maybe not.”
I hook her arm with mine and push through the crowd. They try to follow us up the path, but the warning look I give them makes them fall back.
“You don’t have to talk to them,” I whisper once we’re alone.
“I know,” she says with a bubbly smile. “It’s fun. Wait until the whole city is talking about you joining The Hyenas. You’ll get an extra zero added to your contract.”
I shake my head and laugh as I look at her. This woman doesn’t stop surprising me. “You’re amazing.”
“About time you noticed,” she says with a grin.
Is it too soon to be in love? How can everything move at a glacial pace for years and then suddenly rocket forward at lightning speed?
I guess love can be goofy like that sometimes.
Two giant bouncers are waiting at the massive doors. They’re about to open them for us when I remember something and stop.
“Hold on,” I say as I reach into my coat and pull out my grandmother’s old wedding ring.