Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
“You have no idea how beautiful you look right now with my cum all over you,” he says hoarsely.
Later that night, we’re lying in bed watching highlights of some games, including his. When he’s home, our days are pretty structured. We’re both gone the entire day, and whoever gets home first makes or orders dinner. We talk, shower, have sex, talk some more, watch TV, and just lie here.
“You leave again soon,” I say sadly.
“We have a few days.” He kisses my temple.
“What are we going to do when my season starts?” I ask, already dreading it.
“We’ll figure it out,” he says, slowly running a hand over my hair. “What are you going to do when you get your degree?”
“I want to keep developing the Alma Foundation. There are so many more people we can reach and help. My mom’s done a great job with the annual fundraiser and raising money throughout the year…” I stop talking because I don’t know how to express that it’s not enough.
“But it’s not enough,” he says, somehow reading my thoughts. He pulls back slightly to look at my face. “You don’t want to keep playing basketball?”
“I started playing basketball because of my dad. I was a total daddy’s girl.” I smile when his eyes soften. “I love it. I’ve played for as long as I can remember. I broke the all-time 3-point record at Fairview University. I mean, it’s not like I’m Caitlin Clark or anything, but I am good,” I say.
He looks amused as he leans in and kisses me. “I know you are.”
“But playing college and playing professionally are completely different. I’m a great college player, but the women in the WNBA are next-level good.” I lick my lips. “Besides, basketball isn’t my life. It never has been. It’s just a sport I play that makes me feel closer to my dad. I don’t think… I don’t think I need it anymore. Not for that.”
“I understand.”
My eyes rise. “Do you, though?”
He’s next-level good, and it’s not like hockey is something that ties him to his parents. If anything, it’s the opposite.
“Priorities change,” he says, looking back at the television. “I love hockey. I excel at it and I know if I’m healthy, I can play another eight, maybe even ten years, but when I picture life ten years from now, it’s not what I see.” He glances at me again.
My stomach dips. The last man I dated love-bombed me and repeatedly told me he wanted to marry me, and that didn’t turn out very well. I don’t need Finn to verbally confirm his emotions to know what he’s feeling. The way he holds me, treats me, and acts around me is enough. But nothing compares to the way he looks at me. Not when he’s checking me out or telling me I’m beautiful the way guys before him have. He looks at me like I’m precious to him.
48
JOSSLYN
Itold him I want to stop. Stop or come clean. I can’t do this to Joss anymore.
I saw him again tonight. He took me to a secluded farm and we lay on the bed of his truck. I love the way he makes me feel. FML.
There’s a spot in their yard that the cameras can’t get to. It’s become our secret cove when I go over and ‘go to the bathroom.’ I hate myself so much. I know I need to stop.
I push the pages away and stare at the computer, willing it to load faster. From the amount of updates I’ve had to run, it’s clear Finn hasn’t used it in a while. If ever. Maybe if I weren’t in a rush to turn in the assignment, it wouldn’t bother me, but I am. I’m supposed to go to Lyla’s house to see the baby and give Theo the “big brother” present I got for him. As I thrum my fingers on the desk, my phone buzzes with a text from Leo. Even though he’s now second place on my list of anticipated texts, I jump at the sight of his name.
The other person I’m anxiously waiting to hear from is my mom’s neighbor. They have a camera that points at my mom’s backyard, which may have a clear view of the nook Mallory is talking about in her journal entries. Since his dad is paranoid and a hoarder, I’m hoping he can find saved footage from last year. Just the thought of what I might see makes my stomach turn. Doubt has been consuming me lately. I think about Tiago and what he could be hiding. Not that the “T” person Mallory mentioned has to be the same person from my mother’s house, but what if it is?
Tate was no longer around at the time, so I’ve ruled him out. Titus…well, I don’t want to think about that being a possibility, but the more I think about it, the less sure I am. Damian would have no reason to hide hooking up with Mallory, so I know it’s not him. It could be one of his friends, though. Maybe someone on the Blaze.