Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
“Go, Pax! Go!” Monroe shouts as Lawson zips the puck to Pax, who then sends it right back to Nash, the trio gliding on the ice like lightning.
We’re all clutching each other’s hands, and I swear the entire crowd silences as Nash pulls his stick back and smacks a shot—
Right past the goalie, the puck hitting the back of the net.
The buzzer roars, just barely louder than the crowd as the scoreboard shows we’ve won.
Monroe and Blakely and I scream, leaping up and down as we high-five complete strangers in the crowd. We’ve just won a first-round playoff game, something that the Badgers haven’t done in years.
The energy in the crowd is electric, and I settle long enough to look at the ice, spotting Nash looking up at me, smiling and pointing at me.
My heart flips in my chest, and I clap harder, doing my best to show off the jersey with his name on my back. He blows me a kiss before his team envelops him, and I swear I swoon a little bit.
The girls and I hang back for only a few minutes to let the crowds filter out, then we head out to Blakely’s car, going to her place for the night. It’s girls’ night, and we know the boys will be celebrating their win.
“That was incredible,” I say after we’ve all changed into PJ’s and have picked a spot on Blakely’s couch, a pint of ice cream in one hand, a tub of popcorn in the other.
“I’m so pumped for them,” Blakely says.
“We have a shot at the Cup,” Monroe says.
“It’s early,” I say, guarding my hopes. “But this is the closest we’ve ever come.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I shift my treats to the coffee table, pulling it out to swipe open the text.
Sofia: Thanks for fixing that copy on my site!
I grin down at my sister’s text.
Me: That’s what you pay me for, sis. ;)
Sofia: Still. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Did I tell you that ad alone lead to a forty percent conversion rate?
Me: Hell yeah! So proud of you!
Sofia: Thanks! I stuck a fun package in the mail for you.
Me: Oh, is it full of your products? Monroe and Blakely already order your stuff religiously.
Sofia: Tell them these treats haven’t hit the market yet. Blushes and a new lip stain.
Me: OMG they’re going to flip. Thank you!
Sofia: Of course! Congrats on the win BTW. Love you
Me: Love!
“Who are you grinning at?” Monroe asks. “Nash?”
I put down my phone and grab my ice cream and popcorn. “No,” I say. “It was my sister. She sent a haul for us.”
“Yes!” Blakely says.
“Lip stains and blushes not on the market yet,” I explain.
“I love your sister,” Monroe says. “I’m texting to tell her that now.” She pulls out her phone, firing off a quick text.
“Tell her I do too!” Blakely says.
I laugh, digging into my strawberry cheesecake ice cream before chasing it with a handful of popcorn.
She puts her phone down for only a second before she gets another text. “It’s Liam,” she says, smiling softly and shaking her head at her phone. “He’s wondering why I’m not home.”
“Didn’t you tell him we were having a girls’ night?” Blakely asks.
“I did,” she says, firing off another quick text before focusing on us again. “But he’s having a bunch of people over at his apartment and must’ve checked to see if we were doing girls’ night at mine.”
“Ahh,” I say, nodding. “Crazy that he lives right next door to you,” I continue.
“I know right?” she asks. “We’d seen each other in the building a few times after he signed to the Badgers, but I see him a ton more now that we’re…”
“Dating,” Blakely finishes when she can’t. “Can you still not admit that? It’s been two months.”
Monroe shrugs. “I don’t know,” she says. “He’s fun. And nice to me despite all the guys saying he’s a dick. I think he’s just that way on the ice, because he’s never been mean to me.”
“Okay, then why can’t you say you’re dating?” I ask.
“It’s too soon,” she says. “Plus…you know me, I don’t do serious relationships.”
“We know that,” I say. Monroe’s mom is one of the most sought-after divorce lawyers in the country. Growing up seeing so much of the other side of marriage had put anything serious off of Monroe’s radar, despite her parents being happily married. “But we support you,” I continue. “Even if you decided to get serious…with anyone.”
Blakely and I share a look, but don’t push anymore on the subject.
“Speaking of dating,” Monroe says, turning that look on me and switching the focus. “What about you? Have you and Nash finally admitted there is nothing fake about your fake relationship? Or are you still denying it?”
“I’m not denying anything,” I say. “I’ve told you how ridiculously happy I am with him.”