Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 86068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“It’s the annual Brad Wilson event,” she explains. “He runs a hockey school for underprivileged children in the summertime. During the regular year, he has training programs for kids. He’s working with three different schools, trying to bring in a sports program.”
I nod at her. “There may be press there.” She says the words that usually would push me over the edge. But there isn’t anything they can say to hurt me. Does it make me less anxious? Not even a bit. I look out the window, ignoring the way my chest tightens as we get closer and closer. The car pulls up, and I spot the red carpet right away. When the driver opens up the door, I put one foot out and then the other, trying to not look around. But I can’t help it when I hear the clicks of the flashes. I hold out my hand for her. She slips her hand in mine, and my heart goes back to a normal beat. The minute she is out, she looks up at me, smiling. “You got this,” she reassures me softly, and for the first time, I actually believe I do.
We walk down the carpet with her by my side, posing for pictures. The roar of the people goes up when her cousins, Michael and Dylan, arrive at the same time. “That was intense,” I say as we make our way inside.
“If it makes you feel better”—she leans in—“you’ve never looked better.” I laugh as a server holding a silver tray with champagne flutes stops in front of us. I grab a glass for her, handing it to her, and she looks at me. “It’s fine.”
“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable,” she says, and I lean and kiss her lips.
“It’s more than okay,” I assure her, and she grabs the champagne glass from my hand. We spot her parents, going over and saying hello to them.
“You look so handsome,” Karrie compliments me as she kisses my cheeks.
“You already have a woman.” Matthew pulls her away from me. “Stop flirting with mine.”
“Don’t worry about him,” Max says, chuckling, “his bark is worse than his bite.”
“What are you two bickering about now?” I turn to see Cooper Stone coming toward us, his hand in his wife’s hand.
“He started it,” Matthew accuses, pointing to me. “Dad,” he says, looking at Cooper. “This is Xavier.” He says something to me, and I literally am too stunned to speak. I am too stunned to even move.
“Another one.” I look at Parker as she comes to me. “Don’t worry, dear,” she reassures me, and I bend to kiss her cheek. “He’s harmless.”
“I’m sorry.” I finally clear my throat. “It’s a pleasure and an honor to meet you.”
“Jesus,” Cooper says. “I feel like I’m in the military every time someone says that.” He shakes my hand and brings me in for a hug before going to Vivienne, who he boops on the nose before he kisses her cheek.
“At least he didn’t cry like Wilson,” Max teases, and just like that, I feel like I’ve known them forever.
She stands by my side all night until Franny comes to see her and needs help in the bathroom.
She kisses me on my lips, telling me she is going to be right back. I stand here with my hands in my pockets, looking around, when I hear someone say my name. “Xavier.” I look over to my left and see Nico, the owner of the Dallas Oilers. “I thought it was you,” he greets, extending his hand for me to shake. My hand comes out to shake his. “How have you been?”
“Good,” I lie to him. “Better now.”
“I have to say”—he looks around for a second, making sure there isn’t anyone close by—“I think you got the short end of the stick when it came to Long Island.” I swallow down the lump that has now moved from the pit of my stomach to the top of my throat. “Word on the street is that you are meeting with a couple of teams.”
“I did,” I say the two words, nodding. “It’s been two years, so I’m weighing my options. Plus, my agent thought it would be a good idea.”
“Well, if you are throwing your hat in the ring again,” he offers while he looks at me, “I would love to sit down with you.”
The hands in my pockets get super clammy. “Are you kidding?” I ask him, shocked.
“There are two things I don’t kid about. One is my wife and kids,” he says with a smile, “the other is my hockey team.” He smirks now. “Plus, it’ll piss Matthew off a bit.” I can’t help but laugh at that.
I don’t know why I thought the past was behind me at that moment. I don’t know why I let my guard down. I don’t know why I thought I deserved the good I was getting, but the next morning when I wake up, I see that I can run from my past, but eventually, it catches up to me.