Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 114467 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 572(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114467 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 572(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
The organization is going big for the season opener, as they usually do, and all the family members are invited to an after party at a pub close to the arena. They are shutting it down for us, which is good, and I have also invited Jeffrey. I wanted my parents to be there, and I don’t know why it bothers me because I should be used to it by now.
I slip on my blue suit jacket and look in the mirror. My eyes are a lighter blue today, and it’s probably because of the color of my suit.
I grab a taxi and head to the arena. I’m walking in the same time some other players are walking in, and I spot a camera crew setting up to film the arrivals of the players for the season openers. I keep my head down the whole time and don’t look up for them to see me. But it doesn’t work because one of them calls out my name. I look up and smile right before walking into the arena and away from their prying eyes. The beating of my heart is so hard and loud it echoes in my ears. My hands are clammy, and my whole body feels like one giant nerve ready to explode or vomit.
The hallways are packed with people and the press. The music coming from the outside pounds through. “This is going to be fun,” Mark, our goalie, says to me. “Don’t get undressed right away. Oliver wants us to go out there and meet some of the fans,” he says, walking to the locker room. He and I have spoken a bit but not much which is why he has the nickname of Private Mark. He seems like a decent guy, but he’s huge at six feet four.
I walk into the locker room, and Mark was not wrong. Oliver stands in the middle of the room wearing a suit that has the team logo all over him. “Is that custom made?” I ask him.
“Of course, it is,” he says, looking down at the suit. “Every year, I get one made.”
“Interesting,” I say, trying not to laugh.
“I need you to take that sexy Russian behind out to greet some of the fans,” he tells me. “Half the team is out there already.” I am about to ask him if I really have to when he says, “You really need to. Now go out there. Max twenty minutes.”
I nod at him and walk out to the masses. A couple of fans come up to me and ask me to sign their jerseys and pose for some pictures. I spot a couple of the rookies, Jeremy and Benjamin.
“It’s a madhouse,” Benjamin says. “I think I saw one of the Game of Throne chicks walking around here somewhere.”
“Forget her. Have you seen Evan’s sister-in-law?” Jeremy says. “I got a boner the second she turned around.” It takes everything I have to put my hands in my pockets instead of around his tiny little punk ass throat.
“A little advice,” I say, looking around for her. “It might not be a good idea to go for the captain’s sister-in-law.” I look back at them. “Besides, you really don’t want to piss off Matthew.” They both swallow now, and I see their Adam’s apple move.
It doesn’t take me long to spot her, and the minute I do, I smile. She is squatting down talking to Max’s little girl while she holds her hand. When she stands up, I take in her outfit. Dark blue jeans that mold her with rips on the front. Her long-sleeved light gray sweater is fully conservative; it even goes to her neck. Her wavy hair is down, and her shoes match the color of her sweater. I don’t know what the big deal is, I think to myself. And then she turns around, and I stop breathing. I hold my breath as the back of her shirt swoops all the way down to her ass, showing you her whole bare back. A back that is perfect, a back that has way too much skin showing, and a back that has no bra strap.
I make my way to Evan, who is standing near her. “How long are you here for?” I ask him, and just then, Zoe finally looks over, and our eyes meet. I try to steady my heartbeat and make it as casual as I can by nodding my head at her. She smiles at me and repeats the same thing to me.
“I’m trying to keep the rookies away from that one,” he says, pointing at Zoe. “M&M gave me orders to cover her up with my jacket if I have to,” he says, and I look at Zoe, who can hear him and just rolls her eyes.