Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
They’re everywhere. When you’re a well-known billionaire bachelor, they come out of the woodwork to try and chip off a piece of you. Some just want the social clout of being seen with a billionaire star, some are truly starstruck, wanting photos or autographs, some are trying to get you to buy them lavish presents, some want cash for their sob story, some are trying to get in my bed, and the worst ones are trying to have my child and use it as a lifelong lottery ticket.
Thankfully, I’ve never fallen for that game.
I’ve sworn off women.
I won’t open myself up to falling into whatever trap they’re trying to set. I resigned to my fate of remaining single a long time ago.
“Yes!” Zara shouts when our rookie, Austin Gambill, steals the puck and brings it up the ice. He shoots it at the net, but the Icebreakers’ goalie is fast and the puck bounces off his stick.
The brute on the Icebreakers, a huge fellow named Rory Price, takes a cheap shot at Austin, slamming him into the boards.
“Hey, what the fuck?!” Zara shouts, nearly spilling her soda all over herself as she screams at the ref. “Where’s the goddamn penalty?!”
The rest of the arena is announcing their displeasure as well. I just sit here and watch calmly. Screaming and taking a temper tantrum won’t solve anything. All it will do is provide an embarrassing clip of me for the TV networks to play on repeat.
Plus, that is what I hired the great behemoth Tucker McKinstry for.
The crowd erupts as our giant enforcer drops his gloves and skates over with violence in his eyes.
I always try to keep a steady demeanor, but even I can’t help but get excited as the beast approaches. Rory drops his gloves when he sees Tucker approaching.
Those two have been going at it throughout the whole series. We’ve had a few fists thrown and a lot of hard hits, but we haven’t seen that epic fight that everyone’s been waiting for.
The crowd is on their feet, cheering as the referees hover around, none of them brave enough to get between the two gladiators.
Tucker lands the first punch and it’s a doozy. Rory’s head snaps back, sweat flying off his face, but he doesn’t fall down. He grabs onto Tucker’s jersey while Tucker grabs onto his.
“Yes!” Zara screams as the two Goliaths land punch after devastating punch.
Finally, the referees jump on them and pry them apart. They’re both led to their penalty boxes with blood streaming down their faces.
“Another few seconds and Tucker would have knocked him out,” Zara says, sitting down with a huff.
With the two enforcers in the penalty boxes, it’s four-on-four for a while. Sebastian gets the best of them and scores between the goalie’s legs.
Zara and her girlfriend jump up and cheer along with the rest of the crowd while I watch calmly with my poker face on. There are still two and a half periods to go. It’s not time to celebrate yet.
But, it’s a good start.
“We’re going to the Stoney Cup!” Zara says over and over as the clock winds down. “We’re going to the Stoney Cup!”
The Hyenas are up four to two with less than a minute to play.
I’m not getting my hopes up yet. I know that freak occurrences, although rare, can occur. And miracles can happen for the other team as well.
It’s not over until the clock hits zero on the scoreboard.
The buzz of excitement around me amplifies as the Icebreakers’ goalie sprints for the bench. Now, they have an extra player on the ice and the puck is in our zone.
My heart beats in a calm steady rhythm as I watch them set up their best play. The defenseman with the killer slapshot rips a hard one at Nolan. My guy is ready and he deflects the shot, although he does fail to secure the puck. It ricochets away, but my captain, Sebastian Kemp, seizes it between all those scrambling bodies, makes a few brilliant maneuvers, and lets it fly.
“Yes!” Zara hollers as the puck slides down the rink and sinks into the open net. She grabs my coat and screams onto the side of my face as the whole arena explodes into deafening cheers. “We’re going to the Stoney Cup!”
I grin as I watch the boys celebrating on the ice down below.
The clock on the scoreboard doesn’t matter now. With thirty-six seconds left and down three scores, there’s no miracle coming for the Icebreakers.
Zara is the only one in my private box who would dare to scream in my face, so everyone else comes over to congratulate me in a respectable way, shaking my hand, and wishing me luck in the finals.
I stand up and watch as the boys celebrate on the ice and then head into the locker room, looking thrilled. I’m happy for them. They each deserve a hockey legacy. The next week and a half will help determine what that legacy will be. A bust in the Hockey Hall of Fame, or just a bust. Time will tell.