Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
I give her a dry look and attempt to move away from Telly, but he keeps trying to see my screen. Jackass. “I only have five days off, and we’ll be practicing two of those. I can’t miss any more.”
She pulls a face. “Fine. Can we go after you win the Cup?”
“Duh, that’s the first thing we’ll do,” I scoff, nodding.
She beams at that. “Cool. Great game, love you.”
I grin back. “Thanks, love you.”
As I hang up, I feel Telly’s eyes on me. “Was that your sister?”
I sigh. “Yes.”
“She’s superhot. Why are you hiding her away from me?”
I look over at him, hoping my eyes tell him exactly what I want to say. “Because you’re a manwhore who will chase after her. Don’t even think about it.”
“What? I am a respectable gentleman!”
I don’t even have to say anything; the team starts to razz him as I lean back and wait to call my girl. Unfortunately, we arrive at the airport with Telly intact because, of course, everyone was giving it to him. Now I have to make sure he doesn’t go after my sister. Though, surely he isn’t that dumb.
On second thought, I need to make sure never to bring Ingrid around him.
As we’re walking in, I pull out my headphones and then FaceTime Audrina. She answers right away, and the sight of her has me in knots. I can see the top of Arwen’s head as she sleeps against her mommy’s chest while Audrina beams at me, her hair up in a messy bun with curls falling every which way. She reminds me of how she looked after I spent the night inside her.
God, I miss her.
“Hey there, gorgeous.”
A blush fills her cheeks, making her freckles stand out just how I love them. “Hey, that was a great game.”
“Thanks, dushen’ka. One more win and I’ll be home.”
“So, if you lose, you won’t be home?”
I snort. “Oh, I’m coming home.”
Her eyes darken as she moves her fingers through Arwen’s hair. “I miss you.”
“I miss you more. I can’t wait to see you.”
She waggles her brows. “I am counting the hours.”
“Oh, dushen’ka, I’m counting the seconds.”
Her eyes dance as a sneaky grin comes over her face. “And you wanted to just kiss me goodnight.”
It’s a wee bit tighter in my slacks as I hold her heated gaze. “I’m not the smartest guy, remember?”
She giggles. “You’re my guy.”
My heart pounds in my chest, and I want every single part of this girl.
I have her past, I have her present, and now, I know I’ll have her future.
“You pregnant yet?”
She laughs out loud, shaking her head. “I don’t know. It’s not even time yet.”
“When will you know?”
“At the end of the month, I guess?” She gives me a pointed look. “It was one night, Thatty. Don’t get your hopes up.”
I scoff at that. “Oh, but dushen’ka, it was only one night the last time, and you were on birth control then.” Her lips turn up at that and leave me breathless. “My swimmers have no barrier. My boys are ready to party.”
She snorts, her whole face deep red. “You’re impossible.”
“And I’m yours.”
“All mine,” she agrees, just as someone shouts that we’re ready to board. She sighs deeply, and I give her a sad smile. “I gotta go.”
“I heard.”
“Did you approve the plans for the house?”
She nods. “I did. Construction will start in the new year.”
I think that over as I start for the gate. “So, we’ll have to keep quiet as I fill you with babies.”
She sighs dramatically before she teases, “Won’t be too hard.”
“It’ll be hard, trust me,” I say, waggling my brows at her and getting a few sideways looks, not that I care. “I love you, dushen’ka.”
Her lips curve up, her eyes brightening just for me. “I love you, moy.”
God, I love when she calls me that. She blows me a kiss, then I send her one for herself and one for Arwen before we say goodbye. I board the plane, and when I go to turn off my phone for the flight, I notice a text from Anya.
I take in the photo she sent. It’s of Audrina, in my away IceCats jersey, with Arwen asleep in her lap, also in my jersey. Her legs hang limp, as do her arms, but Audrina is holding her tight to her chest. Audrina is grinning widely at her phone, and you can see me on the screen. Did Anya take this when we were just talking? Shit, did she hear what we said?
I notice the photo was taken from the kitchen, so maybe not. But when I read her next text, my heart jumps into my throat and I couldn’t care less if she heard us or not.
Anya: Thank you for loving my girl. I have never in my life seen her this happy, and I know you are to thank for that. I will always be indebted to you for not only bringing her back but also giving me my granddaughter. I love you, Thatcher. Thank you.