Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“I don’t really have a choice. I need to change something to change my future.”
Coach holds my gaze, and I know he probably has a lot to say but he’s refraining for some reason. “Good luck.”
I laugh. “That’s all?”
He grins at me, the crinkles in the corners of his eyes giving away his age. “Yup, that’s it, because you’ll need all the luck in the world to pull this off. You’ve got the talent, but I don’t know if there is a woman out there strong enough to deal with your bullshit.”
He isn’t wrong. “Aw, Coach, I love when you don’t hold back.”
Coach chuckles, shaking his head. “I haven’t ever, have I? I’ve always been honest with you, and as much as I want this to be successful for you, I need you to realize that it’s gonna take work.”
“I know.”
“No, I mean off the ice. A wife isn’t just a glorified girlfriend. A wife is a commitment, a vow. If she’s going to do this for you, you better be ready to do anything for her.”
I swallow. I get what he’s saying, but the fear that settles in my gut isn’t anything to bat an eye at. The feeling is foreign to me. I’ve never feared anything. I always go in headfirst and hope for the best. Coach’s eyes are dark, knowing, and not helping one bit with the fear that is threatening to suffocate me. Quietly, even though no one else is here, I say, “I don’t want a wife, Coach.”
He nods, his eyes full of understanding. He knows my story; he knows my views on marriage. Coach has been married, and when she left him for his brother, he was devastated. I watched my dad get cheated on left and right. I’ve never wanted to put myself out there, allow someone to break me like that. But that won’t be possible with this situation. For my future wife to hurt me, I’d have to fall for her, and that won’t happen. She’s just a means to an end, and I have to make sure she knows that going in.
Coach grasps my shoulder in the palm of his glove, pulling me from my thoughts as he holds my gaze. “I know. But the end goal is in sight, and I know you can make it.”
I know I can make it to the NHL, too. I can feel it. Though, I can’t help but wonder…at what cost?
CHAPTER 4
Eliza
It’s been a long damn morning.
I didn’t sleep well at all. I tossed and turned, got pissed, and deleted all the dating apps off my phone. I’ve decided I’m done with dating. I am going to focus on opening a damn coffee bar in the bookshop. I know Louisa doesn’t think it’s a good idea and doesn’t really think I can make it happen, but I want it badly. I want something for myself. Each of my sisters has their own thing, yet I’m riding Lou’s coattails, helping with a shop I’m not passionate about. I love it here, but I want my own thing.
Especially when I’ve decided I’m going to stop reading romance. Because that shit does nothing but ruin my life. I have this hope that every guy I go out with will be the one. I’m pretty damn sure my “the one” got chased by a bear and fell off the side of a mountain. Or the bear ate him. I wish a bear would eat me. Ugh. I’m so over everything at this point.
The plumber came and went, and of course, I forgot to get more cash after my shittastic date. The reminder that I gave that asshole my cash only pisses me off more, especially since I had to pay a fee for using my card. I tried not to be too rude to the plumber for the outrageous seven-dollar fee, but seven bucks? That’s highway robbery! I’m pretty sure he muttered that I was a bitch too. Being called a bitch twice within twenty-four hours is a new record for me.
To add to my ever-sucking morning, I haven’t had a chance to make it to Drippy Drip for my morning caffeine fix. I am dying, which is why I want my own spot within the bookshop. I want to serve coffee, but also this amazing drink called a lotus tea. I have so many cute ideas to name drinks after books, and I desperately want to learn and to make it happen. I have the money, and I have the determination. The only problem is I need someone to train me, to teach me. And at the only coffee shop in town, the owner isn’t really open to helping me. He doesn’t want anything to do with me, pretty much how the whole town treats my sisters and me.