Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 107687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Oh, okay,” she says, eyeing me.
“And after what he did to you, I’m good. Honestly. I don’t need that in my life.”
“Well, we were kids. But I’m sure he’s the same.”
I give her a disinterested look. “He wrote his nickname as Russian Stallion. He hasn’t changed, I’m sure,” I say. Though, it feels wrong. It feels like I’m betraying him, which is such an odd sensation. We aren’t friends. We might be considered roommates, but even then, that can’t have me feeling bad for saying something that is true.
Isn’t it?
twelve
Dimitri
When I asked Posey for another one-on-one session right after the team’s on-ice session, I was surprised she said yes.
But thank fuck, for sure.
“Where is Zac?”
“With Boon. He picked him up from my dad when he left here.”
I grimace as I play with the puck on the blade of my stick. “I don’t want to keep you from them.”
“I don’t mind,” she says, waving me off. “Plus, it gives Boon more one-on-one with Zac. He’s going to travel with us this season. I’m hiring a nanny.”
I grin. “A nanny. Will she be hot?”
“Oh, absolutely not,” she says, laughing, and I grin. “I will get a very old, old lady who will not be any kind of temptation for my husband.”
I pause in hitting the puck. “Posey, I don’t even know Boon, but there is no temptation in the world that would tempt him to step out on you.”
She doesn’t believe me. “Okay, but I’ve put on weight.”
“And? More cushion for the pushin’, my love,” I say before hitting the puck hard, top shelf. Right where I was aiming.
“Before I comment on what you just said,” she says, lining up like she’s going to shoot, “you have a heavy shot. At least, that’s what my dad called it. It’s where you think you’re shooting fast, but your puck has no speed. There is no way that’ll get by a goalie, which is why you didn’t score this afternoon.”
My ego is nothing to Posey Adler. Or, wait, Posey Adler-Hoenes.
She lines up, and in perfect form, she snaps the puck into the back of the net. “See how I dropped my shoulder and leaned my weight into the stick, whipping my wrist? I know my dad taught you how to shoot, and I know your dad taught you. Do it right. You must remember your technique,” she urges, standing up and leaning on the stick. “In the gym, I want you to focus on your wrist work. I think you might have weak wrists. Your shot is hard, but it’s heavy. I need it to zip by. I need you to score.”
As do I.
On and off the ice. Which makes me think of Austen and the pink of her cheeks. So pretty.
“Are you listening?”
I nod. “Yes. Fast. Wrist work. I suck at scoring.”
“Yes, all that,” she says dryly, rolling her eyes. “And also, my husband is a very fine man. I gotta step up my game.”
“Posey, you are the most beautiful girl I know.”
“You, Dimitri, are a liar.”
“I’m not,” I vow, smiling at her. “I always wanted to date you over Shelli.”
I take a shot as she snorts. “Better. More lean in. And yet, you slept with Shelli.”
I shrug. “Shelli was easier to get into bed. You wouldn’t give me the time of day.” Then I hold up my hand because I worry she might hit me with the stick. “And I mean no offense. All of us have changed. We’re not horny kids anymore.”
Well, that is a lie. I’m always horny.
“Liar. I’m sure you stay horny.” She calls me out, and I chuckle. “Ha, I made you blush.”
She did; I can feel the flush everywhere. “Please, it’s hot out here.”
“Sure.” Her laughter is sweet and makes me smile. I line up, taking a deep breath before I shoot again. “Way better, but it needs to be a bit faster. Don’t go top shelf. Go full on.” I do as she says, and she nods. We do that for what seems like forever—each time better but then worse. I’m not consistent, and I know I need to work on my wrist strength. I’ll get with the trainer tomorrow.
As we clean up, she says, “I knew you slept with her.”
I glance over at her. “I thought you knew.”
“I did, but she lied and said she didn’t. She’s too angry with you for it not to be true.”
“It was a long time ago.”
“Oh, I know, but she holds it against you.”
“I’m not surprised in the least. Shelli is always one for the dramatics. I mean, she was on Broadway.”
Posey grins. “I know, and I told her you don’t even care. But she was still so mad. Told me not to work with you.”
“Wow,” I say, surprised by that. “I’m gonna have to talk to her, when I’d rather have a tick on my dick.”