Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
I then said something to the effect of “I’d be glad to bone you up,” and that led to another round of sex.
Ava laughs. “I am going to watch. I’m going to make homemade pizza, put on my fuzzy jammies, and see how many times the camera will show you on TV.”
I chuckle because I can see her doing that. She doesn’t know the game that well. I also like knowing she’ll be looking for glimpses of me.
“So,” I drawl, as it is suddenly imperative I figure out when I can see Ava again. “I’m flying back late tonight, and I’ve got a long day at the arena tomorrow, followed by dinner with some of the executive staff. But would you like to come to the home game the day after? I’ll get you a ticket and then we could go out for a postgame drink?”
“I’d love that,” she says, and I have to hold back my exhale of relief. I’m still unsure of what we have here, and I can’t assume anything.
“Listen… Ava,” I begin, then stop, not sure if this is the right time. But it has to be. I need to start this off with the correct expectations. “I cannot wait to see you again, but as you’ve seen, my schedule is crazy. It might only be that I can see you once or twice a week. I know what we have is new and we’re still defining it, but this might just be a lot of stolen moments between us.”
“You’ve already told me that.” Yeah… there’s a bit of censure in her tone, but I can’t help the need to make sure she understands my limitations. “I really appreciate you laying it out there like that, Cannon. That’s helpful to both of us, and I get where you’re coming from.”
“If what I can offer is not enough, I need you to be vocal about it.” Like, I really, really need her to speak up. Because Melissa didn’t. “I don’t want you ever to think you’re not good enough because you’ve had that already and don’t deserve it.”
“You’re nothing like my ex,” she rushes to assure me.
“I’m just saying, I like you. You’re amazing, but you deserve a lot more than I can give you. My career takes up the majority of my time.”
“I know,” she replies, her voice softly understanding. “But let’s not worry about those things. What we have now is casual, so—”
I snort hard. “What we have is not casual. You don’t ditch condoms for casual.”
Ava giggles. “Okay, it’s more than casual, it’s just not often.”
“I can’t promise you much, but I swear I’ll never intentionally hurt you. At least in that, you can have surety.”
“I think I figured that out,” she murmurs.
“Good. Now, I’ve got to get going. I’ll try to call you after the game if it’s not too late.”
“It won’t be, but if you get caught up, don’t worry about it.”
“Okay,” I say, because she’s operating exactly within the bounds of what I’d established.
My time is limited.
I’ll give what I can and hope it’s enough for her.
CHAPTER 11
Ava
The fans erupt upon the final buzzer, me alongside them, all of us cheering the Titans’ resounding victory over the Detroit Cardinals.
“Are you ready to go, Ms. Cavanaugh?” the usher asks.
I turn to face the young girl wearing a black shirt and pants, along with a vest in the Titans’ purple. Her name tag reads Kimberly. She came to my seat about five minutes ago and advised that she had been instructed to take me to Cannon’s office after the game.
I was surprised by that as we’d made plans to meet at his place. I was also surprised by the ticket Cannon had left me at will call. It was at the center of the arena, only four rows back from the ice and directly behind the Titans’ bench so I got an up-close look at the team and how things operate during a game. The energy rocketing through the arena about had my hair standing on end, and without knowing anything about the sport and having no longstanding connection to the city, I became an instant fan.
And wow… to be just a few rows from where Cannon stood behind the players had me feeling all sorts of things. Pride, but also a little hot and bothered. He’s wearing a dark navy suit that is no doubt custom tailored. I know what bespoke looks like because my ex wore them, but Derek never looked that good.
Once during the game, Cannon turned around and looked back at me. It wasn’t actually during play but rather after Baden Oulett, the goalie coach, proposed on the big screen to his girlfriend, Sophie. While the arena was trembling from the force of the stomping feet, Cannon turned back and locked eyes with me. He had an unfettered moment where he didn’t have to be focused on the game, and he shared that time with me. It was nothing more than a smile, a wink, then he turned back.