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)
And what did the asshole do?
Just stood there while a crowd of onlookers surrounded us in the middle of campus while taking every punch I slammed into his face. I should have realized at that point how much he loved her.
When he gives me a chin lift in greeting, I do the same.
Brooke untangles herself and pulls away just enough to search my face. “I haven’t seen you for a while. Everything good?”
I shrug. There’s no damn way I’m telling her about Coach and how it feels like my last year playing college hockey is circling the drain.
Brooke tilts her head and scrutinizes me more carefully in the darkness. Her voice softens. “Are you sure that you’re all right? There’s a strange expression on your face.”
“Kind of like someone has your nuts in a vise,” Crosby adds, as if the thought brings him genuine pleasure.
Dickhead.
Crosby and I are friendlier than we used to be, but there’s still a natural rivalry between us since he’s part of the football program and I’m a hockey player. It’s all about who has the most fans, brings home the most championship titles, gets the most funding, has the better facilities, yada, yada, yada.
As far as I'm concerned, the football players are a bunch of prima donnas who enjoy their ice baths, after-practice smoothies, and massage therapists a little too much.
Come lace up a pair of Bauers and we’ll show you who gets knocked around more.
I shoot him a glare before refocusing my attention on Brooke. We’ve always been close. She’s more like a sister, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. That includes beating Crosby to a bloody pulp if he’s stupid enough to hurt her for a second time.
Although, by the way he stares at her, it’s doubtful that will happen.
And the pics they post online?
They’re enough to nauseate me. We’re talking matching charcoal face masks. Who would have ever thought the guy would turn into such a simp?
And by the looks of it, he’s enjoying every minute.
“It’s all good,” I tell her more firmly.
“So, what are you doing outside then?” she asks.
I blink before holding up the plastic cups I’ve taken away from the dumbasses on the front lawn. “Making sure we don’t get busted by the cops.”
She nods. “Smart. You ready to head back inside?”
“Yup.”
I take away a few more bottles and cans before the three of us head up the porch steps and walk right in. Whoever is supposed to be manning the front door has gone MIA. Once inside, I set the containers on a small table in the entryway. The place is even more packed than it was twenty minutes ago. This is what happens when you don’t have crowd control. I’m going to kick some freshman ass the next time we’re on the ice.
My gaze combs over the sea of students. Space has been cleared in the living room and people are busting out their best dance moves.
It’s not a pretty sight.
“Hey, isn’t that Juliette?” Brooke asks, raising her voice to be heard over the thumping beat that reverberates off the walls.
My narrowed gaze coasts over the throng with more care until it lands on her dark head. I try to keep my voice tempered in order not to give too much away. My matchmaking cousin has always suspected my feelings for Juliette run deeper than I’ve been willing to acknowledge. If I’m barely able to own up to it privately, there’s no way in hell I’ll admit it to someone else.
Not even Brooke.
“Yup.”
“I’m going to say hello.”
She doesn’t take more than two steps before Crosby reaches out and drags her back for a long kiss.
By the time he sets her free, her cheeks are stained with color as her gaze flickers between us. “You two play nice while I’m gone.”
When I crack my knuckles, she narrows her eyes.
“Very funny.”
“Who’s joking around?” I ask with a popped brow.
Crosby straightens before muttering from the side of his mouth, “Go ahead and try it, McAdams. This time, I’ll give as good as I get.”
My lips slide into a grin as I clap him on the back.
Hard.
“Don’t tempt me, Rhodes. I’d love nothing better than to have a second go at you.”
He snorts.
My gaze settles on Juliette as my cousin taps her shoulder. When she spins around, her face lights up before the two girls throw their arms around each other and embrace tightly. Their genuine affection is apparent. As a kid, Brooke spent a lot of time at our house and the two girls became fast friends. I’d chill with Maverick while they’d disappear into Juliette’s room or, during the summer, hang out by the pool in the back.
It was always sweet torture I couldn’t get enough of.
Crosby folds his arms across his broad chest. “So…we’re just gonna stand here and watch them dance?”