Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
My mouth drops, but he’s not done yet. “You were in charge of the therapy for Josh Chambers, the running back for the Jasper Eagles.”
I can’t hold back my shock on this one. “That was all done on the down-low. No one was supposed to know about that.”
“Josh told me about it and said you saved his career. I want the best, Catherine, and that’s you. I want to play again, and I see the passion on your face when you talk about your job and what you can do. I want to do this with you.”
Say no. Say no. That’s what I’m repeating in my head, but I can feel myself giving in. “I would have to talk to my son first. I can’t make this kind of decision without talking to him.”
He nods his head, and by the look on his face, he thinks it’s a done deal. He knows my son is going to be over the moon with us staying here, so I do what I think I need to do and tack on, “And my boyfriend. I’ll need to see what he thinks about all this.”
He tenses. “You have a boyfriend? I mean, of course you have a boyfriend. Who is it?”
I scoot back in my seat because it’s intoxicating being this close to him. I need to say no, and that’s the plan, but first I need to get out of here. I jump out of my seat and start walking out of the room. It’s rude and unprofessional, but I can say the same about sitting here talking about my personal life as well.
He’s hot on my heels, and I grab my file and make it to the front door. “So I’m going to talk to Cole and to Jeremy—”
He interrupts me. “Which is your son?”
“Cole. My son’s name is Cole. I’ll let you know something in a few days.”
He opens the front door but stands partly in front of me. I ignore the way his shirt is tight across his muscled chest. I look away at the forearm that’s blocking my way. His voice is gruff. “So talk to Cole and Jeremy but just know, Cat, I don’t plan on taking no as an answer.”
My breath hisses. “Cat?”
He licks his lips and nods his head. “Yeah, I think Cat suits you.”
I pull at my shirt that suddenly feels too tight. “My name is Catherine.”
He brings down his arm and crosses it over his chest. “I'll talk to you soon, Cat.”
I open my mouth to say my full name again, but seeing the smirk on his face has me holding the file close to my chest, muttering bye, and walking past him. When I get to my car, I feel like I have to catch my breath. I don’t even give myself a second to think back on the last hour I’ve spent with Holden Gray and his intense brown eyes, charm, and vulnerability. If I’m going to be able to help him, I’m going to have to keep it professional.
5
HOLDEN
It’s been two days, and I’m about to track Catherine Maples down. I gotta stop thinking about her and start focusing on staying fit and getting back in the game. Baseball has always been my priority, but there’s been a shift in me since I met Cat two days ago. I swear at random times, I’ve smelled coconuts in my house, but I know it’s crazy because there’s no way she’s left her scent here after being here less than an hour.
She’s had plenty of time to talk to her son and her boyfriend, and so I’ve convinced myself she’s going to say no. Which means I’m going to have to track down my sister and then convince her to give me Cat’s phone number, and then I’m going to have to make her an offer she can’t refuse.
It's insane how I was totally against having someone stay at my place, and now I'm totally convinced it's the best option. It’s like there is no other option. I want Cat—and her son—here.
I pull at the weighted band and spread my arms wide. Pain shoots into my shoulder, and I try to hold the move but then finally let it go. In frustration, I groan and bring my arms in. As soon as I do, the pain goes away, and I get more discouraged. I’ve tried to stay positive, but I can’t help but wonder how in the world I’m going to get better in two months.
The doorbell ringing has me running up the stairs and to the front door. The fact it could be Cat has me stopping before I open it and trying to catch my breath and pull myself together. I’ve never been this crazy over a woman, especially one I just met, but there’s no denying there is something special about Cat Maples. I open the door, and there’s no hiding the disappointment from my face. “Kendall… what are you doing here?”