Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 62972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
He shakes his head, his face hardening “No, but I need to take this.” He hands me the keys. “Go ahead and get in. I’ll be there in a second.”
I glance at the ringing phone in his hand and the scowl on his face.
“Ryker?” I press.
“No. Just wait for me please.” His words are curt, and my body stiffens. I want to ask him what the hell is going on, but he’s barely noticing because the phone has all his attention. I watch as he stalks away from me to take the call, going several feet before he answers, his voice hushed.
What is he hiding from me?
I get in the truck, but I turn around to watch him as he paces back and forth, his body language tense as he listens intently to whoever is speaking.
Why is he being evasive? Maybe it’s Raven. Maybe it has something to do with the bruises he had or the fact that he’s always busy. I chew on my lip as worry settles in my gut. Am I putting my trust in someone who’s only going to let me down? What if these sweet moments with him are just stolen bits of paradise that will crumble at any moment?
What if…he breaks my heart?
Maverick
On Monday, I wake up tired and worn out in my dorm room. After working out in the ring at Carson’s for two hours last night, I ended up going out to the trailer to make Raven dinner and then hung around while she took a bath and went to bed.
Dad was there, and I’m still angry with him for being a no-show at the dinner where I’d planned for him to meet Delaney. I don’t know why I thought it was a good idea for us all to have dinner. I guess there’s just a small part of me that’s still optimistic that he will be a regular dad. Turned out, he went to a bar after work for a few drinks and lost track of time. Figures. Delaney and I ended up picking Raven up then having dinner with her at Giardina’s, and by the time we brought her home, Dad was already in bed passed out—further proof that Pineview is a great idea.
After showering, I come out of the bathroom and Muffin is sitting on the couch in her underwear and one of Ryker’s shirts. A cursory glance around the room tells me his door’s shut, and I figure he’s still sleeping.
She darts her eyes at me rather furtively as she puts something behind her back, and I study her more intently. Maybe it was her phone. Whatever. There’s not much to steal here, so I ignore it, and I don’t want to ask her too many questions because she might get the idea that I’m interested in her.
I mutter out a greeting as I walk past, keeping my eyes averted from her legs, which she’s propped up on the coffee table. She’s a sly girl with an agenda, and I’m disappointed Ryker is still into her. To me, it’s clear she still wants Alex if the way she chased him at the baseball party is anything to go by.
I make my way to the kitchenette to make a protein drink before class.
“So, you’re with Delaney now?” she asks, her nasally voice echoing in the room.
I give her a short nod. “We’re dating.”
Her lips turn down, her distaste obvious. “I don’t know what everyone sees in her. First Alex, and now you—she must be amazing in bed.”
My nose flares. Everything she says rubs me the wrong way, and I’m pretty sure the feeling is mutual. “I don’t talk about my private life.”
A laugh comes out of her. “Oh, you’d be surprised what I know about your private life.”
I freeze, my eyes on her face, trying to read the smarmy expression there. “Is that supposed to mean something?”
She shrugs, her eyes hard as they stare right back at me.
“I don’t like riddles, Muffin.” And I don’t like you.
“No riddles here, just the fact that everyone loves you and you’re the best player ever…right?” With that she stands, marches back to Ryker’s room, and shuts the door.
“Where are you off to? I thought you already had football practice,” Delaney asks as I load the dishwasher at her house. Ryker and I came over after class and she and Skye made lasagna for us. As a thank you, Ryker and I cleaned up the kitchen.
She’s standing next to me, her gaze zeroed in.
I shrug. “We’re going to hit the field house for some weight training.” Every word is a lie and feels like a bullet to my gut, but I can’t tell her the truth: I’m going to meet with Leslie at Carson’s tonight to work out the details of the next fight. He was the one who called me as we left Giardina’s.