Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Shelli doesn’t answer me. Instead, she leans her head on my shoulder and exhales hard. I kiss her temple, and neither of us says anything as I drive. I understand her frustration, but I also respect Elli’s promises. She leads with her heart, while Shelli leads with her brain. I think the only time Shelli ever thought with her heart was when it came to me. With me, she threw all caution to the wind.
But with the Assassins, she’s in it to win it. I want to win for her because of how hard she works and how much she loves the game of hockey. She’s wicked smart when it comes to the sport, and while, yes, I am lucky enough to sleep with her, that doesn’t sway my feelings that she’s a great general manager. She is; she’s a genius.
When she exhales hard again, I squeeze her thigh. “It will all work out.”
“And even if it doesn’t, it’s okay,” she says quietly. And that’s something my wife wouldn’t say. “I must stop with needing to have everything in my control. I am married to an incredible man, and I have an awesome son. We are going on a family vacation where we’ll see everyone. And I’m over here upset over someone who’s not even in this country, plus this stupid construction company, when I’m supposed to be on vacation.”
“Exactly,” I agree.
“How do you deal with me?”
I smile against her hair. “Oh, Shelli, it’s easy. I love you.”
She looks up at me as we stop at a light. I lean down, pressing my lips to hers. Our kiss is short but sends all the chills down my spine. “I love you too.”
“Good. Can I knock you up again?”
She snorts with laughter, and I kiss her nose before the light turns green. “Now?”
I laugh. “Don’t tempt me, woman. Fitz is sleeping, and I can pull over.”
Her laughter is loud, and within seconds, Fitz is crying. She turns to put his pacifier back in his mouth, and I watch her in the mirror as she soothes him with her ass all up in air. I smack it playfully, and she laughs as she continues to appease our son. I wish she’d come appease me so I can knock her up with the next Brooks champion. And then another and another. All the babies. With Shelli Adler-Brooks, my world.
I Know
Emery
Stella combs her fingers through my hair before starting to French-braid my long, thick locks. Since she doesn’t live with me anymore, I’ve been putting my hair up in a shower cap when I shower, and I hate it. I miss her doing my hair before my showers. I miss my sister. Which I know no one believes since we fight so badly, but she’s low-key one of my favorite people. She’s the one I want to be around and hang with. I feel protected with her. I’m not saying that Asher and Aiden aren’t great, but they aren’t Stella.
Nor are they someone else, but I am currently detoxing from said person, even though I am in a fucking chalet with him and his whole family. I didn’t even enjoy seeing my new niece because I heard him coming into the house from skating. I ran out of that room like a cat from a room full of rocking chairs. I can’t face him. Not yet. Ugh, I’ve made such a mess of things. Lost my sister to her hunky fiancé and lost my best friend because he’s dumb and fell in love with me.
Stupid idiot.
I glance up to find Stella watching me in the mirror. God, why did you make her so pretty? Her sparkling gray eyes watch me knowingly as she perks her perfect brow at me. She’s wearing some trendy, fashion-forward jumpsuit, looking all chic and cute. I look like I just crawled out of a trash can in a ratty old Assassins sweatshirt. I’m not even wearing pants because I was literally about to jump in the shower when she came in to greet me.
“So…our niece is adorable.”
“Ah, small talk,” I grumble, and she laughs. “Just be intrusive, Stel. It’s the only way you know.”
“That’s not true. I’m a pro at small talk. I work in a restaurant.” I roll my eyes as she grins at me. “Mom said you’ve been in rare form.”
I shrug. “I have no clue what she is going on about.”
“Dad told Wes you are basically the creature from Stranger Things, ready to eat everyone whole.”
I would laugh if I weren’t so annoyed. “Why is he telling Wes that? He’s ruining my image.”
Stella pauses. “And what image is that?”
I meet her gaze. “That I’m a joy and a delight.”
Stella’s face is blank. “You told Wes if he doesn’t treat me right, you will kill him and dispose of the body without getting caught.”