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)
Rainbow drops off our drinks. I order banana pecan pancakes with sausage links, and Jameson decides on waffles with a side of bacon.
“So what are your plans after graduation? Did you apply to any graduate programs?” Jameson asks.
I shake my head. “I’m kind of done with school. I’ve wanted to work for the league since high school, and there might be a public-relations-assistant position coming in the spring.” Hemi mentioned a few days ago that she’d submitted a proposal with Shilpa’s help. I’m crossing my fingers it goes through. The Terror are like family. I can’t imagine a life where I’m not at the arena or part of that team in some way, especially with my dad retiring soon. Working for them makes sense. It’s where I belong. “What about you?”
“I applied for a few master’s programs—two in Toronto, one in Ottawa, and two out west.”
“The West is beautiful.” Although I’ve mostly seen it from the inside of a hockey arena.
“It is,” he agrees.
“So you could be living in BC this time next year.”
“Or I could be here.”
“Or Ottawa.”
He nods, and just like that, the door on whatever this might have become closes. If Jameson’s moving across the province, or the country, there’s no point in trying to start something with him. At least that’s the excuse I make for myself. That this revelation isn’t followed by a pang of disappointment, but rather relief, is telling.
Rainbow stops by to top up our coffee cups and let us know our food will be out soon.
Jameson taps the edge of the table. “I’m going to use the bathroom before our food arrives.”
“Sure.”
As soon as he leaves the table, I pull my phone out and send a message to the girls and then my mom.
Aurora
Not sure there will be a date two.
My mom responds first.
Mom
That’s too bad, honey. The right someone is out there. You’ll find them when they’re ready for you!
I shift to my private messages with Rix.
Aurora
20-year-olds don’t do it for me.
My group message goes off first:
Rix
Does he push food onto his fork with his fingers instead of his knife?
Hemi
Did he order liver and onions? You know secretly he’s a grandpa inside if he does.
Dred
Can he even grow facial hair yet?
Tally
Why is liver and onions on the menu at the diner?
Maybe he’s nervous.
My private messages with Rix buzz.
Rix
I don’t know if it’s fair to compare him to a professional hockey player.
Aurora
*Side eye* He’s applied to grad school all over the country.
I move down to my messages with Hollis:
Aurora
WTF was that bullshit?
The bell above the door dings, and I glance up, then slide over in the booth until I’m practically eating the wall. This can’t be happening.
CHAPTER 15
HAMMER
“Peggy? I thought you were going for coffee.” Dad approaches the table. “Where’s your friend? Did he leave already?”
Hollis lags behind, his phone in his hand. He frowns and slips it back in his pocket without responding to my message. My stomach flip flops with fresh guilt over the secrets I’m keeping from him, but my anger overrides it.
The girls are still pinging the hell out of me.
“He’s in the bathroom.”
“So he left you out here on your own,” Hollis says.
I give him a look. How else was he supposed to go to the bathroom, Hollis? He has the gall to still be gorgeous while also smug.
“Maybe you two should go somewhere else,” I suggest, but I’m too late.
“Oh, man. Roman Hammerstein.” Jameson wipes his hand on his pants and extends it. “Jameson Grover. I’m friends with Aurora.” His smile is fairly manic. “Sir, it’s an honor.”
Oh my God. This isn’t happening.
Hollis’s eyes slide to Jameson, and if looks could kill, my coffee date would be nothing but a pile of ash.
“Jameson, it’s a pleasure. Peggy has such nice things to say about you.”
“Dad,” I warn.
“What? You’ve talked about Jameson plenty of times at the dinner table. Always nice things to say. Isn’t that right, Hollis?” Dad elbows him in the arm.
“Uh-huh.” Hollis pokes his cheek with his tongue.
“Do you want to join us?” Jameson asks. “There’s more than enough room.”
“Yeah, sure, why not?” Hollis slides into the booth across from me.
“Great. Awesome. This is just—wow.” Jameson is about to jizz in his pants.
Hollis looks like he’s plotting murder and evil things, and I’m so pissed—but also he’s so fucking hot, and I hate it. My dad seems genuinely pleased to meet my date and completely oblivious to how awkward it’s all become.
I fire off another text to the group:
Aurora
My dad and Hollis crashed my date.
And my date invited them to join us.
And they said yes.
I kick Hollis’s shin under the table. We are so having words after this. Angry words. What the hell is he playing at?
He shrugs out of his jacket, drapes it over his lap, and smirks.
Rainbow comes over with our meals. “Oh! Your dads are here! How cute is this?”