Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
“Me, too.” Fingers crossed they don’t find someone with better qualifications.
“Just don’t date any of the players and we’ll be fine,” Dad adds with a smile.
My stomach lurches. “They’re good guys, though. I mean, I know Flip can be an issue, but even he’s been there to look out for me.”
“They’re young and full of hormones.”
“You would know, since I’m standing here.”
“Touché,” he mutters.
This is the chance to lay some groundwork. To plant the seed. To finally be honest with him and alleviate some of this guilt I’ve been carrying for months. I can be brave. “Look at Tristan. He was a hot mess last year off the ice, and now he’s head over heels with Rix. He’s desperate for her to move in with him. I know there were some issues with him and Flip for a bit, but they’ve worked it all out. Now Rix and Tristan are so in love, and Flip and Tristan are still best friends.”
Dad’s jaw clenches, and his expression darkens. “I would murder Hollis and bury him in a very deep grave if he ever put his hands on you.”
My heart feels like it’s been put in a vise. Just like that, any hope I had that I wouldn’t destroy everything by telling him about me and Hollis goes up in flames.
CHAPTER 36
HOLLIS
Two days before the gala, my younger sister, brother-in-law, and niece stop in for a surprise visit. Mike is a professor and sometimes guest lectures at the local university. Occasionally when he has a trip, he’ll bring Micha and my nearly three-year-old niece, Elsa, along. They live a couple of hours away in Niagara.
“Unca Haw-lis, look at my fissy! And my turble!” Elsa holds up a stuffed rainbow fish and a stuffed green turtle.
“They are amazing! Did you have the best time at the aquarium today?” I pick her up and raspberry her cheek.
“Ah! Unca Haw-lis!” She pushes on my chest and giggles. “Do again! Do again!”
I give her another raspberry, and she bursts into a fit of giggles.
There’s a knock on my door. I glance at the clock, realizing it’s probably Aurora. Roman has taken on training with the backup goalie a couple of times a week, so he’s out for a few hours some afternoons. Yesterday, Aurora told me she’d tried to feel Roman out, and it did not go well. She explained what happened through panicked tears. I can’t decide if his reaction had more to do with what we know about Tristan’s proclivities, or him actually dating Rix. Regardless, telling Roman before the gala is off the table now. I offered, again, to pull out of the auction, but Aurora is afraid he’ll connect the dots and I’ll be minus a few teeth, or my head.
“Just let me get the door, and then I’ll hook you up with something to drink. Can you stay the night, or do you have to head back?” I put Elsa down and cross the room.
“Mike is teaching a seminar back home tomorrow morning. I figured we could visit the aquarium, and then you, before we drive home.” Micha thumbs over her shoulder at Elsa, who’s rushed over to the wall of windows overlooking the city, pretending to make her fish and turtle swim in the reflection. “And if timed correctly, this one will pass out on the ride.”
I open the door and find Aurora holding this week’s prepared meals from Rix. She looks tired and anxious. “I brought your dinners for the week and—” Her eyes flare. “Oh! You have company. I’m so sorry.”
“Oh my gosh, Peggy?” Micha practically shoves me out of the way and pulls her into a hug.
Aurora mouths sorry and gives me her oh-shit face while she pats my sister on the back. “Hey! Hi, Micha. It’s so nice to see you.”
“Good Lord.” Micha’s eyes widen as she steps back. “Wow! You are…not a teenager anymore!”
Aurora smiles, cheeks turning pink. “Uh, no. Full-fledged adult now.”
Micha takes the bags from her. “Well, come on in. Hollis was about to pour me a glass of wine. You’re old enough to drink now, right? By a few years?”
“Uh, yeah, I’m legal to drink in the States now, but I don’t want to interrupt family time.”
“Nonsense. Mike and Hollis will talk hockey, and I’ll nod and smile because I still don’t really understand the rules. I think Hollis mentioned you’re almost done with university. Is that right?”
“Yeah, just final exams left and I’ll be finished with my undergrad.”
“That’s so exciting. What I wouldn’t give to go back and relive my university days. I had a lot of fun during my undergrad.”
“And then you met me and traded house parties with cheap beer for fine dining and nice wine.” My brother-in-law smiles fondly as he takes a sip of his beer.
“I regret neither,” Micha replies.