Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
English, to be exact.
It’s become the fucking bane of my existence.
I can’t help but think that none of this would be happening if my parents had allowed me to play juniors before entering the draft instead of forcing me to attend college. I’d already be playing professional hockey. In the grand scheme of things, this class is meaningless.
It’s so damn frustrating.
Midway across campus, my phone rings. I slide the slim device from my pocket and glance at the screen before answering.
“Hey. What’s up?”
“Not much,” Dad says. “Just wanted to check in and see how practice went.”
It’s like the man has a sixth sense where his children are concerned. He’s always able to detect when there’s a disturbance in the force.
“It was fine. Coach came down on us like a hammer after the last loss.”
“Can’t blame him for that.” Dad’s deep voice simmers with humor.
I’m sure he’s thinking about all the times his coaches busted his balls back in the day. It might not have been fun at the time, but they sure seem like fond memories now.
Who knows…maybe I’ll look back and feel just as nostalgic.
Ha!
Doubtful.
“I spoke to Reed Philips earlier this afternoon.”
My feet grind to a halt as surprise creeps into my voice. “You did?”
“Yup. I had a few things to discuss with him about Wolf and Ryder.”
Dad reps both of my teammates through his sports management agency. He’s negotiated their contracts with the franchises they’ll be playing with next season.
There’s a moment of silence before he clears his throat. “He did, however, mention your English grade.”
Seriously?
It’s gradually that I suck in a deep breath before releasing it back into the atmosphere as my gaze scans the surrounding area. At this time of the evening, campus isn’t nearly as crowded. There are only a few pockets of students.
“I suppose he told you that I’ll be working with a tutor,” I grumble.
Just saying the words pisses me off all over again.
“He did. It certainly can’t hurt.”
I press my lips together in silent disagreement.
“Mav?”
I huff out a sigh. “Yeah?”
“It’s not the worst thing in the world.” There’s a pause as his voice softens. “We both understand that.”
He’s talking about Mom’s breast cancer diagnosis.
Nothing could be worse than that.
I don’t even like to think about how terrible that year was. Every time I do, a pit the size of Texas takes up residence at the bottom of my belly. Even though I try not to dwell on it, in the back of my mind, I’m always concerned that the cancer will roar back with a vengeance, and she’ll no longer be in remission.
Every time she gets a blood draw, I worry.
Every time she goes in for a mammogram, I hold my breath until the scans come back clean.
You know what I hate more than anything?
Fucking cancer.
And the way it blew our lives apart in the blink of an eye.
On the outside, everything might look like it’s returned to normal, but that’s not the case. Our family has been forever changed by this insidious disease.
“Yeah, I know,” I mumble.
“I’m just asking that you keep it in perspective, all right? Control what you have the power to change.”
His soft words leave me feeling like a sulky teenager.
From the corner of my eye, there’s movement near one of the academic buildings and my head swivels in that direction. The fine hair at the nape of my neck prickles as I narrow my eyes, straining against the setting sun.
My heart leaps before slamming against my chest.
I blink and there’s…
No one.
Whoever it was is now gone.
Or maybe I’m hallucinating.
For just a second I’d thought…
“Maverick? You still there, or have you chucked your phone into a snowbank?”
I snort out a laugh. “Totally chucked it.”
“That’s what I thought.” His voice turns serious again. “You know I struggled with the same issues in school. It wasn’t easy, but I did get through it. And you will too.”
The tension filling my muscles drains. “So you keep saying.”
“Just work as hard as you can. That’s all Mom and I can ask of you.”
“I’ll try.”
“We’ll see you tomorrow for dinner?”
“Yup.”
“Looking forward to it. Just remember that we love you and we’re proud of all you’ve accomplished, Mav.”
I drop my voice as warmth spreads through me. “Love you too, Dad.”
With that, I end the call and slip the cell back into my pocket. Some of my previous irritation at the situation melts away, leaving me feeling resigned. Talking to my dad always helps me get my head on straight.
As I pick up my pace, my gaze slides to the building where I thought I saw her.
It’s so tempting to look up River’s socials, because I’m willing to bet that I’d find the hot blonde somewhere on there.
Maybe then I could figure out who she is.
As soon as the sneaky little idea pops into my brain, I quash it.