Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 80620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
While still watching the display of overt affection across from me, I whisper back out of the corner of my mouth, knowing that we can be heard by Reed and Josie. “I think when we were teenagers. We were still kids so that type of behavior was expected.”
Marek laughs and Reed finally pulls away from Josie, turning to shoot us both a mock glare. Josie smirks, not abashed in the slightest.
I practically jolt in my seat when Marek slides his arm over my shoulder. He doesn’t attempt to make out with me the way Josie and Reed had been doing, but this subtle gesture actually speaks volumes. It’s done so casually and effortlessly it goes right to the comfort between us due to years of knowing each other.
Of having loved each other at one point.
The fact he feels secure in doing this in front of his close friend and teammate, as well as a woman who has become a very good friend to me, says a lot.
Still, I can’t let it go to my head. I need to remember that my heart is vulnerable where Marek is concerned and he’s got the capacity to really hurt me if I let myself get too tied up in him again.
Chapter 23
Marek
I’m poised to sink myself deep into Gracie’s body, and it’s truly the only time tonight I’ve felt in control and that things were right.
The game tonight was an intense battle, and I felt more pressure knowing she was watching. We won, but not a second went by when I wasn’t hyped up on adrenaline and nerves.
After the game, I’d sat in an ice bath next to Reed—which our trainer Vale had said was essential to our good health—and I was reminded that there was going to be nothing overly easy about the evening out.
“Let’s go out somewhere for a quiet drink and some food,” I’d suggested to Reed.
He’d looked over at me, teeth practically chattering. “Why not Hoolihan’s? It’s tradition.”
I’d shrugged, my jaw straining from clenching to keep my teeth from chattering. The ice bath is torture, and I’m guessing Vale is focusing her pregnancy hormones straight at the players to make us suffer. “I just don’t think Gracen’s ready for that yet.”
“What do you mean?” His expression was perplexed, and I didn’t think he’d be that dense. He was a part of the swinging single life not all that long ago.
“I broke up with her, left her behind, for all the reasons that will be inside Hoolihan’s tonight.”
I was talking about the puck bunnies and worshipful women who will come on to me regardless if I’m standing next to Gracen as my woman.
“You don’t want to rub her face in that,” Reed had concluded with a grave nod, then he’d pushed up out of the ice bath as the timer went off.
I had followed suit, grabbing a towel. “Yeah…that’s pretty much it. Gracen probably has some clue, but I don’t want to have to deal with that just yet. Not when things are a little unsure between us.”
So we went out to a little bar not far from the arena that was more low key. We ate good food, had a few beers and a good time joking and talking with Josie and Reed. I’ll admit, my arm around her felt just like old times.
It felt right.
Until Reed had to be an ass with his ribbing. He looked pointedly across the table at us, holding up his beer as if toasting us. “I’m glad to see you two together.”
I felt Gracen tense slightly under my arm, probably not trusting anything that was occurring. I got that.
Then Josie couldn’t help but to throw fuel on the fire. Her grin was mischievously evil. “I’m glad you woke up, Marek. Gracen’s had a slew of doctors at the hospital lusting after her.”
Gracen laughed as did Reed. Josie smirked at me.
I didn’t find it funny at all. Gracen might be in my bed right now, but it didn’t mean she wasn’t available for the taking. The right guy could come along and grab her out from underneath me.
I’d of course reacted appropriately and pulled Gracen from the booth muttering, “Come on, Gracie, let’s go play some pool.”
Reed and Josie’s laughs followed us across the bar to an empty pool table where I racked the balls and Gracen chose a stick. She walked to the end of the table with a tiny, amused smile on her face.
“I’m not jealous,” I’d grumbled as I pulled the rack away.
She chuckled. “Of course you’re not.”
“Good. Glad you get that.”
“Got it.” The amused expression never wavered.
“Good.”
Before she broke, she walked up to me and placed a hand on my chest. She went to her tiptoes and put her face closer to mine. “Josie was pulling your leg. There are not any doctors lusting after me.”