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)
“I’m just here for the beer. I thought this was a terrible idea. When you’re ready to talk, you will.” He shrugs.
“You’re no help, Slate.” Hudson turns to Mason next. “Goodie, are you going to sell me out too?”
“You have been a little more irritable than usual.”
Hudson rolls his eyes. “Seriously, Goodie, that’s all you’ve got? The man practically ripped the equipment manager a new asshole yesterday, and how about his fucking water bottle?”
Okay, he might have a point with that one. I did kind of lose my shit because the water in my water bottle was too high and started to overflow off the side, but in my defense, I had just gotten a letter from an unknown person basically telling me my life was over. Not that they know that, so I guess from their point of view, I have been kind of an asshole.
“Fine. I may be a little stressed, but I don’t want to talk about it. Everything is fine, and while I appreciate you guys being concerned, I promise I have this.”
Aiden nods, his expression softening. “I guess what we’re trying to say, not eloquently ’cause Hudson’s involved, is shit can get rough, and we all know that, but we wanted to remind you that you’re not in this alone.”
If anyone knows anything about keeping their secrets close to their heart, it’s Aiden. While I am happy that he was able to find Cassie and no longer needs to hide anything, my issue isn’t that simple. I can’t ever have the girl I want in my life, as I know it could change if my secret gets out, but instead of saying any of that, I lift my drink and take a swig.
“Thanks, guys. And I know. I appreciate it. But I promise I’m okay.”
“Fine, we’re done. Now, let’s drink.” Hudson smirks.
“We already are drinking.”
“I think what he’s trying to say is let’s get drunk,” Mason clarifies.
“Yes, that!” Hudson agrees.
“I’ll pass,” Aiden and I say at the same time.
“I get him, but you, you’re single. Where’s your fun?”
Lost to a hellfire.
62
DANE
This fucking blows.
I’m in the penalty box, waiting for my time to end. All I want to do is get up from here.
My leg bounces against the bench as I watch the assholes from the other team get away with shit we’re being called on for.
The longer I watch, the more pissed I become.
It’s horseshit. That dick should have gotten a penalty for the last play, but no . . .
I pull my gaze away from the game. Needing to calm myself, I do the only thing I can. I search for her in the stands.
Stupid, yes, but it’s the only thing that ever seems to work.
She’s the only thing that makes me happy.
Not being with her is killing me.
I need to stay strong though.
The letter is a threat. I know it is. And until I know exactly who it’s from and what their intentions are, I need to protect her.
She’s not in her normal spot, which doesn’t mean she’s not here. She could have gotten up for a second, but as I scan the crowd, I spot someone I haven’t seen in years.
Fuck.
There, in the stands, in clear view as if it were planned, is my uncle.
The bastard I’ve been avoiding since I was eighteen. Even from here, I can see he’s still a bastard.
My hands clench in my gloves. What is this asshole doing here? No fucking way is this a coincidence. He’s here for me. But why?
The last time I saw him, we sat on opposite sides of the courtroom. After the judge awarded me custody of Molly, the dickhead scurried off like the weasel he is.
Finally, my time in the box is over. I shoot out, tearing across the ice, and drive my shoulder into the other team’s defenseman with a sickening force. When he drops his stick and takes a swing, I toss mine, taking out all my frustration on this asshole. The crowd roars as we go head-to-head, punches thrown.
The refs, of course, are quick to break us apart, hauling me off him and sending me right back to the penalty box.
As soon as my ass hits the steel bench, I search for my uncle, but he’s not there.
Did I imagine him?
I close my eyes, willing the game to end.
Behind my lids, I see his mocking face.
The way he went after Molly.
I did everything I needed to make sure she never ended up in his hands.
The man is a monster.
When the final horn blasts that the game is over, red-hot anger courses through me.
We lost, and I’m well aware it’s partially my fault. I played like shit and was too busy fighting to defend my men properly.
But my head wasn’t in the game, and now I have to change and find him. Despite my earlier assessment that it was all in my mind, I know, in my heart, he’s here.