Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
“That must have been hard for both of you.”
“We realized early on that we would be better as friends.”
“What about since then? You must have dated.” Lexi puts the bottle of wine in the fridge to chill.
“I did for the first few years. But Peggy stayed with me in the off-season, and I wanted my focus to be on her,” I explain. “Zara moved around a lot and it was hard on Peggy. She wasn’t thriving and Zara realized she would have more stability with me. So when she was six, Peggy came to live with me full time. I didn’t have room in my life for anything but her and hockey.”
Lexi props her hip against the counter. “You didn’t have room, or you didn’t make room?”
“Hmm...” I mirror her pose and drag my finger along the edge of her jaw. “The latter more than the former. When I was home, I wanted to be with Peggy. Her first six years I missed a lot. I wanted to be present when I wasn’t traveling. I tried a relationship once, but my daughter was my priority.”
“And now?”
I smile. “She’s settled. In love. Hollis has already asked permission to marry her, so it’s only a matter of time.” I finger the end of her braid. “Peggy has been so adamant that I start dating I kept putting it off. I was so afraid I’d bring the wrong person into our lives, or that I couldn’t give enough of myself to someone else. But she doesn’t need me to take care of her the way I once did. So now I get to focus on myself and what I want for my future.”
“And what do you want?” she asks softly.
“You.”
“You have me.”
“Mmm...” I grab the hem of her shirt and pull her closer. “I want more than a stolen night with you, Lexi.”
She loops her arms around my neck. “Me, too.”
“I’m falling for you.” If I leave the game, we would have every night together.
“I’m falling for you, too.” Her voice is a barely audible whisper. “But it’s already February.” She smooths her hands over my chest. “Just a few more months. Then I’m not your coach, and you’re not my goalie, and the red tape disappears.”
“I know it won’t be easy.” I brush my lips over hers. “And that there will be challenges, but I can’t lose you again, Lexi.”
“You won’t.” She takes my face in her hands. “I promise we will find a way through this, together.”
CHAPTER 30
LEXI
“I’ll see you after the game.” I hug my sisters at the private entrance to the arena, reserved for injured players and staff.
“You ready for popcorn and snacks?” Dred links arms with Callie.
“Yes! Do you think I’ll get to say hi to Connor after the game?” Callie asks.
“Definitely. You’re his favorite,” Dred replies and winks at me.
“Try to keep her away from the caffeinated beverages,” I whisper to Fee.
“I’ll do my best.”
“Good luck tonight, Lexi.” Tally smiles and waves.
Tally’s boyfriend, who’s been hanging in the background, gives us a chin tip and follows the girls down the hall.
Vander Zee sighs. “I can’t believe that kid has lasted this long. Here’s hoping he goes home for the summer and things fizzle out.”
I clap him on the shoulder. “Let’s manifest that into existence.”
“I just don’t get it. He’s just…flat? He’s been to dinner at our house three times, and all I know about him is that he’s an engineering major, he has a younger brother, and his dad is also an engineer. I don’t even know what kind of engineer.”
It’s not my place to judge, but Fee doesn’t have a lot of nice things to say about him either. “He is a—uh quiet one.”
“There’s quiet, and then there’s this chucklehead.” Vander Zee sighs. “Madden would be a better option than this guy.”
I arch a brow. “Seriously?”
“Fuck no. But this kid gets two thumbs down.”
I pat him on the shoulder. “She’ll figure it out.”
“I sure hope so.”
We head to the locker room for the pre-game pep talk.
“Family’s here tonight?” Boxer asks Thomas.
“Yeah, and we brought Donnie’s youngest along. His oldest has a tournament tonight,” Thomas replies.
It’s interesting that Donnie was all over me about my relationship with the office staff and team, and here he is doing the same thing. I keep my mouth shut about it, though, because I don’t want to draw unnecessary attention to my situation. Only a few more months...
I take my spot with the rest of the coaches behind the player bench and wave when I spot the girls in the box with Dred, Tally, Hammer, Rix, Hemi, and Shilpa.
“Your sisters have been at the games a lot lately,” Boxer observes.
“The home weekend ones, yeah,” I agree.
“I guess it saves on babysitting, eh?” Thomas quips.
I can’t tell if that’s a jab or I’m being extra paranoid. “Tally and Fee are friends.”