Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Cool air slaps at our cheeks as we step inside the arena. That’s when the Jaws theme song erupts from my pocket. With a frown, I pull out my phone and stare at it. Mom’s name flashes across the screen.
A smile trembles around the corners of my lips as I hold up the device and shake my head. “Really?”
Holland grins as her eyes dance with humor. “What? It’s funny.”
I arch a brow. “I doubt Mom would think so.”
“Becks doesn’t find much funny, now does she?”
True statement.
The woman needs a life.
Maybe then she would stop trying to commandeer mine.
When the phone continues to ring, Holland holds out her hand. “Please let me do the honors. Think of it as an early birthday present.”
I twist away, giving her my back before answering the call and blurting, “Hi, Mom. Can’t talk. We’re at a game. Love you.”
Then I disconnect before shoving the cell back into my pocket.
“You’re going to catch hell for that,” she sing-songs before adding, “You didn’t even thank her for the care package that was dropped off yesterday. Please let her know that I enjoyed the homemade cookies.”
With a snort, my gaze scans the raucous crowd as I search for our seats. “I’ll be sure to do that.”
It’s strange to sit in the home team section and not with the visitors. This is the first time I’ve attended a Wildcat game with the sole purpose of supporting them and not East Town.
It shouldn’t come as any surprise that the student section is packed. Holland glances at our tickets before pointing to the one filled with a sea of orange and black. “Looks like we’re over there.”
I loop my arm through hers and steer her through the mass of excited fans. It took a lot of cajoling to talk my bestie into attending the game. This is the last way she wants to spend her free time. And I can’t blame her for that. There’s one hockey player in particular she can’t stand and does everything in her power to avoid.
Bridger Sanderson.
She’s always been tight-lipped about what went down between them, but I have my theories.
So, I owe her big time for being supportive.
It takes another five minutes to make our way to our seats. Once we do, I unzip my jacket, revealing the jersey and the turtleneck beneath it. As we settle in, one of the girls in the row in front of us turns.
A smile lights up her pretty face when our gazes collide. “Willow?”
The dark-haired girl with a high ponytail next to her whips around as well.
Britt and Fallyn.
“Hi!” I say in surprise.
“I didn’t know you’d be here!” Fallyn says, twisting more in her seat.
“Sorry, I must have forgotten to mention it.”
Or, more accurately, I thought Maverick and I wouldn’t be together.
Wanting to change the convo to safer terrain, I point to my friend. “This is my roommate, Holland.”
Both girls wave after introductions have been made. Holland has never been good at letting new people into her life. The friends she has are ones she’s known forever.
It’s not easy to earn her trust.
I’ve seen a few try and ultimately give up because the walls she surrounds herself with aren’t easily breached. Sadness pricks my heart. Holland is such an amazing person, and I wish more people were able to see that.
It takes a moment or two before I realize that Britt and Fallyn are here with a larger group as a few turn in our direction.
The recognition that slams into me is instantaneous.
Juliette McKinnon.
Her brows draw together before the lightbulb goes off in her head. “Willow, right?”
I nod. “Hi, Juliette. How are you doing?”
She twists in her hardback chair. “Good!” With a smile, she glances at her friends. “Small world. I didn’t realize you knew Fallyn and Britt.”
“Actually,” Britt cuts in before I can respond, “we were grabbing something to eat at Harvey’s when she walked in with your brother.” The last part is emphasized with a cheeky grin and a waggle of her brows.
Fallyn cocks her head. “You wouldn’t by any chance be wearing Mav’s jersey?”
I stare at all three girls and find curiosity filling Juliette’s eyes. That’s all it takes for heat to slam into my cheeks as her gaze drops to the jersey I’m sporting. The front of it has the university emblem, but his name and number are stamped across the back.
“Ummm…” My voice trails off.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Britt says with a smile.
Juliette leans closer. “Are you dating my brother?”
I’m thrown off by the genuine excitement that floods her voice.
“Well, I don’t—”
“If they’re not,” Britt cuts in with a laugh, “he’s doing his damnedest to persuade her to give it a shot.”
“You should have seen the way he was watching her,” Fallyn adds with a heartfelt sigh. “So adorable.”
The blonde sitting next to Fallyn elbows her in the ribs. “Kind of like the way Wolf stares at you almost obsessively?”