Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 109176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
“Thanks.” I hang up the call and start my car. Aiden and Cassidy don’t live too far from where we practice. It only takes me about fifteen minutes to get there and find a parking spot before I head into the apartment building where they live. I ride the elevator up and then get off on their floor.
It’s a nice place, but I can’t imagine living here. Sure, my house is too big for me, but when I bought it all those years ago, I got it for Molly. It was the right home to raise her in.
I stroll up to the door and knock.
The door flings open. “Dane, I’m so happy you’re here.” Cassidy smiles brightly at me as she steps out of the way to let me in.
“Thanks for having me. I came straight from practice, or I would have brought something.”
She shakes her head. “Dane, you’re family. You don’t have to bring anything.”
Her words are exactly what I need right now. With Molly gone, the past month has been weird.
I didn’t realize how much I depended on her, and I don’t just mean for my day-to-day activities.
There’s also the fact that Hellfire is living with Robert. That’s throwing me off.
Normally, I spend a lot of time with him and Sherry, but currently, I’m trying my hardest to avoid Josephine, so my trips over there have been nonexistent.
“Go sit down, and I’ll get you a drink.” She points at the couch in the living room, and I start heading in that direction.
“You’re one of a kind,” I call over my shoulder before taking a seat on the couch.
Not even a second later, Aiden strides into the room, head wet from a shower. He might dunk his head at the arena, but showering there isn’t part of his routine.
He sits on the smaller couch across from where I’m sitting. “Hey, man. Happy you came.”
“Honestly, thanks for inviting me.” I recline back, making myself more comfortable.
Aiden shakes his head at me. “You know you don’t need an invitation, right?”
“Yeah, you’ve said that, but who knows what you guys are up to.”
A laugh sounds from the entrance of the room, and I peer up to see Cassidy making her way with my drink in her hand.
When she reaches where I am, she hands me the glass, and I take a swig.
“Okay, spill. What was up with you today?” Aiden asks right before Cassidy leans down and places a kiss on his lips before walking off to the kitchen.
“My head isn’t in it.”
“Is something going on? You know you can—”
“I know, man. And I appreciate it, but there’s nothing wrong.” Except for the fact that I had sex with Coach’s daughter, will most likely get fired for it, and the only person I would normally talk about this with is . . . Coach or someone on his team, which I obviously can’t do.
His eyes narrow, and I know I need to throw him a bone. That’s why I’m here, for them to try to help me, so if I don’t tell him something now, I run the risk that Cassidy will start in on me too. The problem is she’s damn good at seeing the big picture, and I can’t risk it, so I give him the only thing I can.
I sigh loudly. “Molly.”
“Got it. You miss her, and rightfully so.”
“Is this the first time you’ve been away from her for this long?” Cassidy asks as she reenters the room. “Dinner’s ready, by the way. No rush, just figured I’d mention it.”
I start to stand, ready to eat. “It is.”
“That’s rough. Well, if you need a stand-in sister, I’m your girl.” A soft smile curls her lips. It’s warm and caring, like her, and it does what it’s meant to do . . .
It makes me smile too.
18
JOSIE
The early morning sun gleams across the sky, and I take a moment to appreciate the scenery.
Normally, I don't come to work this early, but I have to help with a social media campaign today. All I have to do is take pictures of the guys during practice. Action shots are one thing I can do.
Easy enough, I think, as I grab my phone from my bag and head in the direction where I might find the team.
As I step inside and head toward the rink, skates slicing through the ice and pucks clinking against sticks echo around the arena.
They’re already practicing, which is a relief. The last thing I need is Dane’s attitude when I’m just trying to do my job.
I nod to Hudson, who skates by me, and then I take pictures rapidly. Hudson does exactly what I hoped he would—putting on a show for the camera. The man is nothing if not a showboat. He spins around, looking more like a figure skater than a hockey player, and I snort.