Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
This time was different. I was restless when I wasn’t on the ice. I sent Elyse a few texts, and we had short chats, but there wasn’t a focus on missing each other. She admitted to watching the games on TV and learning more about hockey online. I was impressed by Elyse’s effort after hearing how much time she was spending painting.
I still didn’t know a great deal about her. Ever since the night we almost ended things, I felt like there was more to Elyse than she was willing to reveal. I still thought about the officer who seemed to almost warn me off from her. I could search her online, but I was more of a talking kind of man and I didn’t feel that what was on the internet about myself was who I was. I wanted people to reveal what they wanted to in truth, but I was confident that came from the media following us around part of the year. They made athletes look so bad, and a lot of it was embellished or a lie. They used every possible way to sell a story.
I hoped that Elyse didn’t look me up. I had a few women trash talk me when they didn’t get what they wanted from me. I sounded like a real man-whore based on their stories, but I was upfront from the beginning. I treated women well, but I didn’t let them spend all my money as some of them wanted to. I didn’t offer them a future. I just offered a good time with no strings attached.
I knew that my parents raised me to respect myself no matter what the consequence, but damn it if the media didn’t test that belief.
The games went well. We won all but two, but they were against the best team in the league. They played hard and well the entire time, and I was exhausted when it was over. We were all more than happy to go to our rooms for some rest, and I had the most extended chat with Elyse that night. She confessed that Tori was there, and they were drinking wine as they watched the game. She sounded light and giggled a lot, and I longed for her to be alone. I just settled on seeing her happy and told her I might call her later before setting the phone down.
My roommate woke me up for breakfast the following morning, and I cursed out loud. I meant to stay awake and take advantage of Elyse’s penchant for wine. Ryan left for a bit and I had the room to myself. I showered last night, so I just threw on some jeans and a Henley before following him down to the lobby to join the guys.
Justin was helping himself to some eggs, and I joined him, smiling as he glanced at me. “Have you been in touch with Tori this week?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “We’re not like that too much, but once or twice. She was watching the games when she got a chance. Why do you ask?” Justin took his plate and shot me a suspicious look for a long moment. “Shit. You want info about her friend.”
“I’m seeing Elyse. I don’t need you to spy for me or anything like that, mate,” I defended myself as he nodded slowly. We walked to a table and sat down to eat, and he looked me over.
“Is there trouble in paradise?” Justin asked, and I chuckled as I reached for my tea.
“It hasn’t been long enough for that. I think we’re still getting to know each other.” I picked up some bacon.
“What’s her name again?” one of the younger guys asked, and I glanced at him. He was about Elyse’s age, and jealousy rushed through me as I wondered if he was interested in her.
“Elyse Ashby,” I replied, and he nodded thoughtfully as someone next to him spoke low in his ear. Tom blanched, and I straightened as he glanced at me. “What is it?”
“I think you need to hear it from her, Bells. Or it could be a coincidence. Another Elyse Ashby. I don’t like to get in the way of anything.” Tom reached for his coffee, and I narrowed my eyes at him for a moment before pushing my plate away. One more game and I’d be going home tomorrow to deal with this stuff.
I felt Justin watching me as I stood and left, walking through the lobby to the street. I told myself it was for a proper cup of tea, but I knew I was pissed. I wasn’t even sure who I should direct this at to begin with. Did I resent Elyse for not telling me something that was obviously heavy? Did I dislike the guys for not revealing what they knew? I reached into my pocket for my phone and considered searching for the answers myself, and cursed out loud.