Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Amusement lights up his brown eyes. “You’re being a sore loser.”
“I’m not being a sore loser. You didn’t freaking win,” I argue.
“Did you cheat?” Livie demands as she looks at him. “You’re the worst kind of cheater, T!”
“What!?” He rears back. “I don’t have to cheat! We adjust the game accordingly for you two to even stand a chance against me.”
“That’s bullshit,” I mutter.
“And we’ve been winning,” Livie says, eyes narrowed.
“You change the game whenever it’s convenient for you,” I add.
He rolls his eyes and starts speaking again, but we’re interrupted.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. What are we fighting about?” Will Hamilton’s voice startles me.
My heart drops hard into the pit of my stomach when I turn to face him and see Finn standing beside him. He’s wearing a white dress shirt and a navy sports coat. His hair is mussed and he's sporting somewhere between a five o’clock shadow and a beard. As usual, he looks too fucking hot for his own good, which renews the constant tug of war my body and mind have when he’s around. “I want you to help me prove Titus did this.” His words come back to me, and a wave of discomfort accompanies them. I look away quickly, wishing I could summon the anger I felt when he spoke to them over the phone, but I’m too pragmatic.
I’ve had enough time to process it and my anger has already been replaced with understanding. Not that I’m willing to entertain his accusations or anything, but I get it. He’s angry and hurt and needs someone to blame.
“Hey, Finn,” Livie says. “Hey, Wi—”
“Olivia Nassir,” he says, interrupting.
Her brows rise and she responds, “William Hamilton.”
Finn greets me, Liv, and Tiago with a cordial nod, which we return, as well as Will’s fist bumps as he speaks.
“When are we going to have our big Indian wedding?” he asks, grinning at Livie.
“You wouldn’t survive an Indian wedding, and your mother would never let you marry me.”
“My mother likes you.” He frowns deeply.
“Sure, but she wouldn’t want me to marry you,” she points out. “What are you two doing here anyway?”
“Our agent is meeting us here in a bit,” Will explains. “But we saw you three engaged in a riveting conversation. We walked straight over here to make sure we didn’t need to break up a fight.”
I don’t need a mirror to know Livie and I are instantly wearing the same annoyed look on our faces. Tiago laughs and takes it upon himself to tell them about our game and our bet. Livie pipes up to expose his cheating ways.
“What park, and at what time?” Hamilton asks. “I’ll be there tomorrow.”
Tiago tells him the park we play at and looks at me. “Nine?”
I shrug, still annoyed.
“You’re really going to the park the one time I can’t go?” Livie argues.
“I’ll go watch you next time as long as it’s before the season starts,” Will says with a wink.
“Please take a video of tomorrow’s game,” Livie says.
“Why, so you can study my game and try to beat me?” Tiago asks.
I roll my eyes. “More like to have proof of your cheating.”
“You’re ridiculous,” he says, grinning at me, and despite myself, I feel my lips twitch into a smile. It’s hard not to smile back at Tiago.
“Can I get you guys an old fashioned?” Livie asks.
“It’s the only drink she knows how to make without screwing up,” I explain when the three of them look at her like they can’t figure out why she’s not giving them a menu.
I’m shocked when I hear something that sounds like laughter coming from Finn, and I glance over quickly. A rush of heat spreads through me when our eyes lock for a moment too long, and I force myself to look away. Tiago starts speaking about the fundraiser coming up and encouraging them to donate things to auction.
“Suicide among student athletes is skyrocketing and the Alma Organization is helping provide mental health support,” Tiago says proudly as Livie mixes our drinks.
“Is this Fletch’s non-profit?” Will asks.
“Dame helps a lot,” Tiago says, “But it’s actually Joss’.”
“Really?” Will’s eyebrows shoot up. “That’s impressive.”
I smile and glance away, hating the sudden attention. I can sit here in a bikini or sports bra talking sports all day, but I always feel exposed and get tongue-tied when I talk about the Alma Foundation.
“I signed a puck and stick last year, and got him to do the same,” Will says, nodding at Finn.
“Thank you,” I say with a smile. “It’s only the third year, but it’s made a big impact already.”
“I’ll probably go this year since I’ll be in town,” he adds.
“I’m sure you’re busy, with the Owls being a brand-new team and all, but you should come as my plus-one if you can spare a few hours,” Livie says, looking at Finn as she sets our drinks in front of us, “We’re ‘encouraged’ to take dates.”