Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
I look past Roman and watch as the guy tucks Peggy’s hair behind her ear. I need to get out of here before I do something I regret. Like break all his fingers. “I’m calling it a night. Text me when you’re up, yeah?” I knock back the rest of my drink and slide out of the booth.
“I’ll stick around a bit longer,” Roman says.
I pat him on the shoulder. “See you in the a.m.”
Hemi and Essie flank Tally as I pass the girls, which is good. She’s still seventeen, and they need to keep an eye on her. Peggy’s eyes move my way as I cross the bar. She doesn’t smile, doesn’t look at me the way she did that day I came out of the shower in nothing but a towel. She’d been shocked, yes, but she’d been other things, too. Things I shouldn’t want or like, but do.
Would everything still be the same if we hadn’t taken an earlier flight out that morning? I wouldn’t know what had happened in my bed while I was away. I wouldn’t have that image burned in my brain, and I sure as hell wouldn’t have offered my spare bedroom to her.
I make brief eye contact with the guy flirting with Peggy. His jaw drops, and he leans in to ask her something. She puts her hand on his arm and shakes her head.
I keep moving toward the elevators. I’m grateful when the doors slide open and no one else joins me. As soon as I get to my room, I strip out of my suit and change into joggers. I’m sweaty and agitated. Tomorrow we’ll be on a plane to Winnipeg, and Peggy will be heading home. I’ll have two more days before I see her again. It should be easier when we’re on home turf. When Essie’s friends aren’t flirting with her. At least that’s all that will happen tonight, I tell myself. Just some harmless flirting. She won’t date this guy. But eventually she’ll date someone. Fall in love. But it won’t be me.
I pace the room, head spinning. I can’t afford to feel this way. I can’t afford to feel any kind of way. It would be good if she dated someone her age, someone who goes to her university. It would be better for her and for me. If she has a boyfriend, I can put her back in the box labeled not for me.
I hear someone moving around next door. Roman and I typically share a room, but this time we have connected suites, and we left the adjoining door open before the game. Maybe I should hit the hotel hot tub now. It might make it easier to sleep. Although, with Peggy sleeping on the rollaway bed in the living room, it might still be a challenge.
I move toward the door, intent on closing it, but I hear something move. It’s Peggy. She’s shirtless. Her back is to the door as she unclasps her bra. I freeze, unable to move, to blink, to speak as it slides down her arms and she tosses it into her suitcase before reaching for a tank and pulling it over her head.
“Why didn’t you close the door?” I’m standing on the threshold, fingers curled around the frame.
She gasps, hands on the button of her jeans as she spins around. “Shit. I didn’t realize—” Her tongue drags across her lips as her gaze rakes over my chest.
I’m shirtless. Her tank says QUEEN OF DREAMS. The irony is not lost on me.
“You saw me get in the elevator.” I’m all accusation and frustration.
Until this past year I’ve been on the fringe of her life. She’s always been my best friend’s daughter. Even last year after I messed up my knee, the boundaries were still there. But then I saw her in the Terror front office and recognized her as the woman she’s become. That day sealed my fate. And the truth of it is messing with my head. I want things I shouldn’t. Things I should erase from my brain, but I don’t. I can’t. Won’t.
“Why didn’t you close the door?” Her voice is soft as she moves toward me. “You could have closed it.”
She’s right. I could have. So why the hell didn’t I? Why am I standing here with my heart hammering in my chest and a riot in my head? Because I want what I can’t have.
“Does Roman know you’re up here?”
“No, I snuck up while he wasn’t paying attention because I want to stay with the girls tonight. I was leaving him a note.”
“What about that kid you were talking to? Where’s he now?” I try to keep my gaze above her neck.
“I don’t know. He went to the bathroom, and I came up here.” Her tongue drags across her bottom lip. “And now I’m here and you’re here, and you look like you’re about to blow a gasket. Why are you so upset?” Her hand rises, as if to touch me.