Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
He doesn’t.
Mav is superstitious. It’s not all that uncommon for a hockey player. He’s been using the same practice jersey since last year, even though we have new ones. If he wears a pair of socks and wins a game, then he’ll keep wearing them until we lose.
And no, they don’t get washed.
It’s gotten to the point where they can sometimes stand up on their own.
Fucking disgusting.
He’s had these particular Bauers since freshman year of college. Thankfully for him, his feet stopped growing senior year of high school or he’d have a real problem on his hands. Brody’s tried telling him that he’s a talented player and it has nothing to do with luck.
Mav refuses to listen.
In fact, his lucky penny is glued to the bottom of his left skate.
Heads up.
When he shifts his weight and clears his throat, I finally glance up and meet his gaze. “Yeah?”
He crosses his arms over his broad chest and glares. We’ve been friends for a long time. Because of that, it only takes one look for me to know what’s on his mind.
“What the hell did you do to my sister?” he growls just loud enough for me to hear as laughter and chatter explodes around us now that practice has ended.
I almost bark out a laugh.
Me?
What the hell did I do?
Is this guy serious?
“Not a damn thing.”
He narrows his eyes. “She’s been upset. And I think it has everything to do with you.”
I glance around at our teammates who are stripping off their gear to hit the showers before dropping my voice. “Just so you know, she’s the one who broke up with my ass. Not the other way around.”
Surprise flickers across his face. Guess he wasn’t expecting that bomb.
“You do something to piss her off?” Even though he cocks his head, he sounds a little more unsure of himself.
I huff out a tired breath. “No, I didn’t. In fact, I told her I wanted to come clean with our families. That I was tired of hiding our relationship.” The words shoot out of my mouth before I can stop them. It only makes me sound more pathetic, and that’s the last thing I need.
The remaining anger drains from his expression and he hesitates before dropping down beside me on the bench. “How long was something going on between you two?”
“About a month.” Although, it felt much longer.
In my heart, it’s always been Juliette. Mav can’t possibly understand that.
“Do you care about her?”
I drag a hand over my face before waving it around the locker room. “Are we really doing this here?”
A smile quirks the corners of his lips as humor sparks in his eyes. “Yup.”
“Fine,” I grumble. “I care about the girl. I’ve always cared, but I didn’t think she’d ever give me the time of day.” I give him a bit of side eye before admitting, “She’s too damn smart for me.”
He nods in agreement. “That’s just straight-up facts.”
A grunt escapes from him when I ram my elbow into his side.
“What the hell was that for? All I did was agree with you,” he says with a chuckle.
“It wasn’t necessary. I’m more than aware of the situation.”
“All right, so what are you gonna do? Just let her walk away?”
Yeah…that was the plan.
I mean, she’s the one who broke up with me.
I arch a brow. “You think I shouldn’t?”
He presses his lips together before jerking his shoulders. “I don’t know, man. It kind of seems like you’re just as mopey as she is. So, if neither of you want to be apart, then maybe you should be together.”
Even though he makes a fair point, I need time to think it through. As much as I want Juliette in my life, I need to do what’s best for her.
Am I what’s best?
That would be the million-dollar question.
CHAPTER 36
JULIETTE
Nerves dance at the bottom of my belly as Carina and I walk up the concrete stairs to where both my parents and Ryder’s are camped out in the bleachers. We stopped at the concession stand on the way in. So, my roomie is set for the game with a box of popcorn and a drink.
I hug my parents and then greet Sadie and Cal. I’ve known them for as long as I can remember and they’re like second parents to me. I love how close our families have grown throughout the years. When Mom was sick, Sadie cooked meals for us and brought over a diffuser to use with essential oils that were supposed to help with nausea and pain.
As soon as Carina and I settle on our seats, she immediately digs into the popcorn before holding out the box. I shake my head as my knee bounces a steady tempo. The game hasn’t even gotten underway, and I already feel sick to my stomach. The buttery saltiness will probably make me throw up all over the place.