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)
“It’s great,” he says, and I am so happy for him I could explode. “It’s great to be a part of this amazing organization.”
“The fans have been sporting those Petrov jerseys. How does it feel to see them?”
“It feels amazing,” he says, looking into the stands, and I see the nervousness he had before the game is gone. He was quiet, and I knew this was because he was “getting in the zone.”
“I’m just thankful they have welcomed me with open arms, and I can’t wait to make them proud.” I want to clap my hands and applaud him.
“Well said,” the reporter says and then shakes his hand. Viktor skates back to the bench and then makes his way to the back.
~*`~
The lights in the pub are dim, and tables are scattered everywhere. No one is here yet, so we grab two tables in the back corner where we always sit. By the time we sit down and order drinks, the room has started filling up. Evan comes in about thirty minutes later, and the music is starting to play now. “Hey,” I say when he nods at me and grabs Zara for a kiss. Matthew and Max follow him and go to grab their wives. “I have to go to the bathroom,” I say, getting up and going to the bathroom. My eyes scan the room, looking to see if he’s here, and I smile at a couple of wives who I recognize on the way. When I walk out of the bathroom I come face-to-face with the man who I’m going out of my way to avoid and not think about.
He spots me and smiles. “Hey, you.”
“Hey there, Rocky,” I say, laughing while he shakes his head. “A nice right hook,” I say, chucking his chin, and he throws his head back. He then looks to the right where an older gentleman stands next to him, and I wonder if it’s his father. “Hi,” I say, putting out my hand. “I’m Zoe.”
“Jeffrey,” he says, grabbing my hand and smiling.
“Jeffrey,” Viktor says. “This is Zoe, my friend and real estate agent.” I try not to cringe at friend. “Zoe, this is my sponsor, Jeffrey.”
“It’s nice to finally meet the one who got him settled,” Jeffrey says, smiling.
“Did you enjoy the game?” I ask him, and my voice is a touch louder than normal since the music is playing. The pub is now full, and it’s getting hard to move without bumping into someone.
“It was amazing,” he says, looking at Viktor. “Minus the whole ‘Rocky’ moment.”
“Yeah, well, not every day you get called a junkie,” Viktor says. My head snaps back to him, and the smile is gone. In its place is anger.
“What did you just say?” I ask him. “I don’t think I heard you properly.” I watch him and ignore that Jeffrey is now looking at me intently.
“Nothing,” Viktor says. “Just words on the ice. They say things to get under your skin and into your head.”
“I thought all you guys talked about was fucking each other’s sister and mothers,” I tell him, crossing my arms over my chest, and Jeffrey starts to laugh, shaking his head.
“She’s a feisty one,” he says and then slaps Viktor’s shoulder. “I should head out.”
“I’m going, too,” Viktor says, and I want to tell him not to go. I want to tell him to stay and talk to me. I want to drag him back to the table and have him sit next to me and talk about nothing and everything. But I don’t do that. I just smile. “Will you tell Evan I took off?”
“Yeah,” I say, acting like him leaving is not ruining my night. “Sure thing,” I say and then look at Jeffrey. “It was so good to meet you.” He sticks out his hand in a fist, and I fist bump it.
“I’ll see you soon,” he says, and I push his shoulder.
“See you around,” Viktor says. I look at him, and he just nods at me, so I turn and escape into the crowd of people, not once looking back. I go back to sit in my chair and pick up the glass of wine that has now turned hot and tastes gross. “I think I’m going to head out.” I look at Zara who is yawning.
“Us, too,” Evan says. “I was just waiting for Viktor.”
“He just took off,” I tell them, and Zara watches my face. “He was here with his friend.”
“Do you want to go home, sweet pea, or do you want to say with Zoe?” Evan asks her, and she yawns again.
“I would rather go home,” she says, getting up, and I look at her stomach.
“You won’t be able to hide that little bump for much longer,” I tell her, and she gently caresses her stomach, her face beaming.