Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
“For the most part, but we have lunch once a week.” Her eyes light up and she bounces on the balls of her feet. “You should come next time!”
“Oh, I wouldn’t want to intrude.” I haven’t seen Rix in a long time—like since I was fourteen. She was always nice to me, but I was a hard-core hobbiter even back then.
“You wouldn’t be! She’d be so happy to see you!” Tally seems very big on being inclusive. “Anyway, back to Chase inviting you to his game and you saying you have an assignment. Why don’t you want to go?”
“We always seem to run into one of his former hookups. I end up just standing there awkwardly like I don’t belong. Then to make it less fun, there are these girls who are always hanging around them who are sort of…” I try to find a word to describe them that isn’t steeped in negativity. It’s not easy.
“Bitches?” Tally supplies.
“They’re not super warm.”
Tally rolls her eyes. “They’re puck bunnies. They chase after the players. Some puck bunnies are legit super nice, but other ones—it’s like a game to them to bag a player. Ignore them.”
“I’d like to, but two of them live on my floor.” And I’m a thousand percent sure they go to all the games. “And I don’t know a ton about hockey.” Other than the little I’ve caught in the common room while making ramen.
“I can give you a crash course. I can’t go to tonight’s game, but I can probably go to the next one with you,” Tally offers.
“Do you actually want to go to a university hockey game? Does it pale in comparison to the pro games?” I have no idea. “Wouldn’t it be annoying for you? Like won’t people know who you are and be all like super friendly with you like they are with Brody?”
“He’s a nice kid.”
I want to mention that we’re all the same age, but I feel like her life experiences and mine probably differ significantly. She’s grown up around professional hockey players. What a weird life.
“Can’t be easy with his brother being way more visible than my dad.” Tally twirls a lock of hair around her finger, expression pensive. “And yeah, it’s sort of the same. It’s more like when the players find out who my dad is, suddenly they want to take me on dates.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Ew.”
“Having a boyfriend has helped with that, though.” She shrugs. “Anyway, the offer stands. If you want company at a game, I’d be your wingwoman.”
“Cool. Okay. I appreciate that.”
“I have dance practice soon, so I have to go, but I’ll message you later!”
I accept a hug and she flits off.
Essie would be so proud. It seems I’ve made myself a real friend, even if my sister was friends with her first.
And I’m seeing a guy. The hottest guy.
What a week.
CHAPTER 15
CAMMIE
I’ve just finished uploading my newest chapter when there’s a knock at my door. It’s ten thirty. I close my laptop and check my reflection in the mirror before I put my eye to the peephole.
Standing outside my room is Chase. Based on the state of his hair, he’s fresh from the shower. He waves at someone as they pass, then runs his hand through his hair and stuffs it in his pocket.
My stomach fills with butterflies and my heart slams itself excitedly around in my chest. I do a breath-freshness check, deem myself Chase ready, and open the door. “Hey.”
“Hi.” The right side of his mouth quirks up in a shy smile.
“How was the game?”
“Good. We won. Did you finish your assignment?”
“It’s about fifty percent finished.” I make a face. I got distracted by my fanfic, as usual. “If you won, shouldn’t you be out celebrating?”
“It was just a scrimmage, not an official game. Those are on the weekends. And I wanted to see you.” He chews on the corner of his lip.
“Do you want to come in?” I step back.
“Is that okay? Or we can hang out in the common room if that’s better for you?” He runs a hand through his hair. Then stuffs it in his pocket. Again.
Two guys pass him and he’s forced to withdraw it almost immediately so he can fist-bump them. They both say hi to me, too. “The common room doesn’t seem better for you.” He’s more likely to be inundated by people who want his attention. And I don’t feel like sharing him right now.
He shrugs.
I hook my finger around his and tug.
He steps over the threshold, and I close the door behind him.
His gaze bounces around my room, then lands on the posters above my bed. “The pretty one’s Arwen?”
“And the hot guys are Legolas and Aragorn.” I stuff my hands in my hoodie.
“I can see the allure.” Chase rubs his bottom lip.