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)
“The C word.”
It’s not a question.
Ryder was there through it all when Mom battled cancer. He knows exactly how much it affected all of us.
Me especially.
Can I open myself up to potentially losing someone else I care about down the road?
I don’t know.
As that question circles through my brain, I glance around, only to realize that Hayes is eavesdropping on our convo.
When I frown, he pops a shoulder. “Just wanted to make sure you two hugged it out. I was thinking about gathering the guys for an intervention.”
With a shake of my head, I mutter, “Shut the fuck up, dude.”
I’m embarrassed that our private convo wasn’t so private after all.
Then again, maybe we shouldn’t have done this in a locker room full of our teammates.
“He’s totally serious,” Colby says, using the towel to dry his hair. “We talked about it the other night. We were thinking of catering the affair with barbeque.” He pats his belly. “I could have gone for that while you two hashed your shit out.” He shrugs. “Guess that won’t be necessary. Bummer.”
“More important than barbeque is all those good vibes we need gelling on the ice,” Hayes adds with a grin.
Ryder shakes his head. “You guys were stressing over nothing.” His gaze settles on mine. “We’re all good. Right?”
For the first time in a while, our friendship feels as if it’s back on solid ground. “Yup. So feel free to move it along. There’s nothing to see here.”
“Glad to hear it.” Colby hauls his boxers up his legs.
“You never answered Ryder’s question about Willow,” Hayes cuts in, some of his humor fading.
As our gazes collide, I’m struck with the realization that he had insider intel he didn’t bother to share with me.
My brows jerk together as I growl, “Why the fuck didn’t you give me a heads-up and tell me she was River’s sister or that she was sick?”
He shrugs. “It didn’t really seem like my place.”
Is this guy being serious?
“When the hell have you ever been concerned with minding your own business or staying in your place?” I ask with a disbelieving snort, using my fingers to make air quotes around the last word.
He folds his arms across his brawny chest. “I’ve known River for a long time. I consider him a friend in the same way that I consider you one. I know what happened between you two and I didn’t want to get caught up in the middle of it. I told Willow she needed to come clean, but that was her story to tell, not mine. And she doesn’t have cancer anymore.” There’s a pause as his brow furrows. “At least, I don’t think she does. What I do know is that she was diagnosed in high school, and by the time we graduated, she was in remission. That girl has been to hell and back. She deserves all the happiness she can grab hold of. And if you can’t be a part of that, then don’t mess with her.”
Hearing about her cancer is like a kick to the balls, and sucks the air from my lungs as icy fingers wrap their way around my heart before squeezing. It takes a few seconds to realize that it’s the very same kind of fear and anxiety that takes hold of me when I worry about Mom.
I’ve spent years trying to keep these emotions at bay.
Somehow, Willow has managed to sneak past all of my defenses and burrow deep inside my heart.
I have no idea if there’s a way to evict her.
And I’m no longer sure if I want to.
Our relationship was complicated from the moment I saw her sitting in the visitor’s section, wearing River fucking Thompson’s jersey, cheering for him when he scored a goal.
How is it possible that it’s become even more convoluted?
We’re supposed to meet up for a tutoring session tonight. It was set up before everything exploded over the weekend. I’ll admit that I considered blowing it off until I was able to get a better grasp on my feelings.
But if I do that, I’m running away from my problems. What I’ve learned over the years from having dyslexia is that nothing good happens when you do that.
In fact, it only makes everything worse.
Uncertainty spirals through me as I strip off the rest of my gear and hop into the shower before getting dressed.
Then I head to Coach’s office to get my ass chewing over with.
Ryder glances at me as I huff out a breath.
“Want me to wait around?”
I shake my head. “Nah, I’ll see you back at the house. I’ve got something to take care of.”
The guy who I’ve always considered my best friend smirks. “Something or someone?”
“Someone.”
As I say it, a sense of rightness settles over me.
He nods. “Good. We just might be able to make that double date happen after all.”