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)
“What are you smiling about over there?”
“Nothing.” I smirk.
For the next hour, we play on her phone, and then, with a quick kiss on her cheek, I get up and head to the door.
“Kick ass tonight.”
“I plan to.”
I walk out of her room and let myself out of the house without saying goodbye. Once I’m no longer in earshot, I grab my phone and call Molly.
“Hey,” she answers.
I press the ignition, and my car roars to a start. “Where are you?”
“Again. Hello, Dane. How are you? I am fine, thank you.”
“Anyone ever say you’re annoying?” I pull the car out of the driveway and start heading home to prepare for today’s game.
“Anyone ever tell you that you have no manners?” She snickers into the phone. Gotta love my sister. Never one to bite her tongue.
“Yeah, a few times,” I admit, most likely shocking my little sister.
She laughs. “What do you need?”
“I need you to find me the best donuts in town.”
“You don’t eat donuts.”
“They aren’t for me.”
“Look at you, taking my advice and trying to win back the woman you love.”
“Molly,” I playfully scold.
“What? You’re adorable.”
“Will you help me? I kind of have a game to be at,” I deadpan.
“What would you do without me?”
“Stop surviving.”
“You’re being too hard on yourself. I’m sure you could function for half a second, and if you convince Josie to forgive your sorry ass, she can handle you.”
“Are you quitting on me, Molly?”
“Never. You’ll have to fire me,” she teases.
“That will never happen.”
“Okay, so now that we have that settled, why don’t I get to work? I don’t have all day, after all. I’m supposed to go to this hockey game.”
“Thanks, Molly,” I say.
“My pleasure. And for what it’s worth, I like her for you.”
“I like her for me too.”
I hang up the phone, smiling to myself. Making Hellfire happy makes me happy. I can’t wait till she gets her package.
Hours later, and still sweaty, I meet Molly in the parking lot of the arena.
“You got the goods?”
She looks at me with slightly narrowed eyes. “Does this look like amateur hour?”
I raise my hands in the air. “Sorry, just had to ask.”
Her mouth twists. “No. You didn’t,” she chides as she extends her arm and hands me the box. I’ve decided that rather then have these delivered before the game, I’d deliver them myself after it.
I want to see Hellfire’s face.
“Thanks, Mol.”
“You’re welcome, Dane.”
Now, with the box in hand, I head to my car, and then get in and drive away.
My palms feel slick against the steering wheel from not showering after the game, but it’s getting late, and I didn’t want to miss Hellfire.
Traffic is practically nonexistent at this time of night, so I get to her house in record time, which is a good thing since every minute it takes means she could be sleeping.
The house is dark, and only a few small spotlights illuminate the way.
I park the car and step out, then head to the door. Once there, I hesitate. Coach might be home. How will I explain this? Fuck it.
I don’t even care if he knows.
Hellfire will.
Good thing I think on my feet. I’ll figure out something to say that will make sense.
My knuckles rap on the wood, and the door flies open a few seconds later.
“Hellfire, why are you out of bed?” I practically scold.
“’Cause you knocked.” She rolls her eyes. “Who else did you think would answer? I’m the only one home.”
Shit. I hadn’t thought of that.
“What are you doing here, Dane?” She looks me up and down. “Did you come straight from the game?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
That’s when I remember the box of donuts in my hand. I thrust my hands up. “To bring you these.”
“You brought me food?”
“Not just any food.” I smile. “Only the best donuts in Redville.”
A small laugh bubbles out of her mouth. “You didn’t have to.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Josephine. I did.”
And I’ll keep doing it. For however long it takes for her to admit she loves me too.
73
JOSIE
It’s funny how much you can miss someone despite seeing them only yesterday, but as I sit in my bed for another day of my recovery, I can’t stop thinking about Dane.
Today, he’s away for a game.
By the time he gets home later tonight, it will be too late for him to stop by, and I’d be lying if that thought doesn’t make me sad.
This should be over soon, though. My ankle is feeling much better and my headaches are gone.
By next week, I should be approved to go back to work, hopefully.
Whether the team lets me come back is another story, but I’ll think positively.
I flip on the TV and turn on the game. Obviously ready for the Saints to kick some ass. I watch as Dane effortlessly skates toward the puck, pulling back his stick to take a shot. He moves so fast it’s hard to see. I watch with bated breath as the puck travels down the ice. The camera zooms in, and something catches my eye. There’s something on his helmet. My brows furrow as I squint, trying to make out what it is. An actual snort leaves my mouth as I fall into a fit of giggles. A sticker. He has a sticker on his helmet. And what it says leaves me breathless.