Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 86878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
He hops down from the half wall with ease. “I’ve heard that before, Tink.”
“Why do you keep calling me that?”
He cocks his head. “Because the way you skate is pretty fucking magical. Almost like you’re flying. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
The compliment does the unexpected and stuns me into silence.
He flashes a grin as his gaze remains fastened to mine until he swings away with an easy confidence that’s impossible not to admire. “Give it some thought,” he calls over his shoulder, “and get back to me.”
Ha!
This guy is out of his mind if he actually thinks I’d consider going out with him.
Instead of telling him that, I remain silent, watching him disappear into the shadows of the arena as the sound of his laughter echoes in my ears.
10
Hayes
“Are you guys excited?”
Ollie jerks his shoulders, attempting to act indifferent, but the brightness in his eyes gives him away. “Yeah, I guess.”
I glance at him with a hiked brow. “You guess, huh? Well, I can always call Ma and have her pick you up if you’ve got better things to do with your time.”
His eyes widen, panic flaring for a moment, before he quickly shakes his head. “Nah, that’s all right. I’ll stay and skate.”
It’s tempting to call him out on his bullshit, but I bite back the sharp retort. Thirteen is a rough age. Everything changes and the world feels like it’s shifting beneath your feet. He’s at that stage where acting like you care is uncool, but I know better. Deep down, he’s still the same kid who used to look up to me like I hung the moon.
I remember what it was like, the confusion and awkwardness of trying to grow up. But that doesn’t make it any less frustrating when he gives me attitude.
Theo, on the other hand, is practically bouncing off the walls, barely able to contain his exuberance. His wide grin and sparkling eyes are contagious, and I can’t help but ruffle his messy blond hair. “You gonna get out there and show them how it’s done, buddy?”
“Yup!” Theo beams up at me, vibrating with enthusiasm.
I glance down at Kia, her small hand safely tucked in mine. She’s the youngest but just as determined as her brothers. She already loves the ice, and there was no way she’d let me bring the boys without her. Mom coaxed her to try ballet and soccer, but Kia only wants to play hockey.
Just like her big brothers.
When she looks up at me, I smile. “Ready, squirt?”
“Ready!” she chirps, voice bursting with just as much excitement as Theo’s.
We head to the locker rooms to get them geared up for the clinic. I poke my head inside to make sure everyone’s decent before leading Kia in to get changed. She wrinkles her nose at the distinct smell of stale sweat and gear that permeates the space.
“It’s stinky in here,” she says, her face scrunched with disgust.
I laugh and gently flick the tip of her nose. “Trust me, you get used to it.”
I unzip her bag and pull out her gear, then she steps into her hockey pants, and I strap on her chest and elbow pads. Next come her socks, which I tape in place, and finally her skates. I tug her practice jersey over her head, then carefully secure her helmet.
“All set, squirt?”
With a nod, she hops in place with pent-up energy. Once everyone is dressed, we check in with Maverick at the registration table. He flashes a grin when he sees us, fist-bumping the kids.
“Man, you’ve all really grown since last year. What are you eating for breakfast, steroids?” Maverick jokes, giving Ollie a teasing look.
My brother stands a little taller, trying to look bigger than he is. He’s always been on the shorter side, much to his irritation.
After we exchange a few more words, I hustle the kids onto the ice, getting them settled with their age groups.
I pat Theo on the helmet. “I’ll be right over there if you need anything, okay?”
He nods as I take off. The players will rotate through different stations before scrimmaging later. I’m supposed to help Maverick, but my attention gets snagged by something—or rather someone—on the ice.
Ava.
Her blonde ponytail swings behind her, catching the light as she skates across the rink. Every time I’ve watched her on the ice, her hair has been pulled tight into a bun. Seeing the golden length flowing down her back has my mind going places it probably shouldn’t. I can’t help but wonder what it’d be like to wrap it around my fist and feel it in my hands while—
I change direction, my feet moving before I’ve even made a conscious decision. It’s like there’s an invisible thread pulling me to her. One that’s impossible to resist.
When I catch her eye, she tilts her head and meets my gaze with a steely look of her own.