Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Dane and Molly have a relationship that I’ve never experienced from family. They only have each other and they rely heavily on one another. She’s his constant, and he’s hers. If not for Molly, Dane would probably be off the team and a raging alcoholic. His words. Apparently, it runs in the family.
“I just told Molls about it too. She’s not currently happy with me. She said I should know better.” He shrugs. “She should know better. It’s not like this is her first rodeo with me.”
“No shit.” I chuckle. “I’m finding it is not easy to book someone for hair and makeup this last minute.”
I have no idea if that’s true. I haven’t spoken to Cassidy about it since she left me standing in the kitchen.
“I have someone,” he says, and it’s my turn to lift an eyebrow.
“You have someone?”
“A college friend’s sister works in the area. I know if I made a call, she’d hook you up. Molly already has an appointment, but I bet she’d squeeze Cassidy in too.”
I nod a few times.
“I scheduled the works for Molly since she’s coming with me as a favor. It’s the least I could do.”
“Probably a good idea. You owe that girl your life.”
“Truer words have never been spoken,” he says, head forward, waiting for his time to be up. “I’ll make the call after the game.”
“Thanks, man.”
We fist-bump, and then I get to my feet. My time in the box is over. Dane has longer. Hell, the way he beat the shit out of the Bulldogs right wing, I’m surprised he’s still in the game.
I can’t help but chuckle at how ridiculous that conversation was. Makeup and hair in the penalty box? Yeah, that wasn’t on my bingo card.
The rest of the game is intense, but I’m more focused. The talk with Dane helped me get my head back on the ice. We managed to pull it off, but it was too close, and Coach was not happy, which made for a rough night finishing stuff up.
I’ve just completed my post-game rituals, and I’m walking out of the locker room when I see a frustrated Mike heading toward me.
“We’ve got a major problem.”
I stop in my tracks, trying to determine what said problem could be. These days, the list is mounting to unmanageable lengths.
“What is it?”
Based on his posture and the paleness of his skin, I begin to panic.
“I know you’re finally getting settled and feel good about how things are, but this has to end. It wasn’t supposed to be a long-term deal, Aiden.”
I huff out a breath.
“I’m tired, and I don’t wanna talk about this tonight, Mike. Call me tomorrow.”
He takes a step into my path, stopping me from leaving. “That’s not acceptable. Do you have any idea how much damage it could cause if this got out?”
“I’ll take care of it,” I say, trying to move past him. I just wanna be home.
“No, you won’t. You’ll allow me to handle it. You can’t give her any reason to out your personal life.” He runs his hand back through his dark wavy hair roughly. “Give me time to dig something up on her. Something we can use to get her to go away.”
What if I don’t want her to go away? What if some broken part of me refuses to see things how they actually are? A damaged man, desperate to paint a picture in my head that’s vastly different from reality.
“Aiden,” Mike drawls, likely seeing the look on my face.
Despite my every attempt to avoid getting close to people, Mike wormed his way in and knows me better than I’m comfortable with most days.
“I will take care of it, Mike. I promise.”
He takes a deep breath and blows it out harshly. “Fine. I’ll allow you to handle this, but make it fast, Aiden.” He huffs a humorless laugh. “She’s a loose cannon. Desperate women will do heinous stuff to get what they want. You have to be careful.”
“I will be.”
Mike half rolls his eyes, making it clear he doesn’t like this one bit.
Well, neither do I, Mike. Neither do I.
It’s going to be a long night.
28
CASSIDY
“Cass, what’s wrong?” Molly asks from the lounge chair next to me. “You’ve been off all day. This is supposed to be fun.”
Today’s the day of the gala, but that’s the last thing I’m thinking about.
Aiden and Dane set up an entire spa day for Molly and me to get ready for the event. We’ve had massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures. We’re waiting in the quiet room, sipping on mimosas, and relaxing in the flickering faux candlelit room, waiting to be called for our hair and makeup to finish up the day.
I turn to look at her. “I’m just tired. It’s been a long couple of days.”
Not a lie. Trying to arrange for a dress and tux at the last minute was not easy. There were very limited choices, considering my build is not typical. Everything was either too big or not curvy enough.