Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 88895 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88895 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
“Proof an old dog can learn new tricks.”
“I do not like what you are implying whatsoever.”
“Speaking of tricks,” segueing is followed by a small smile, “wanna learn my favorite one to do with Bear post-game?”
An intrigued brow is cocked. “You want me to help train your four-legged companion?”
“No, I’m gonna help him train my two legged one.”
“At least I’m considered a companion.”
Post stealing a small, guilty bite out of my bottom lip, I gesture to the wooded area on our left. “We play hide and seek.”
Tanner lets curiosity kick the corner of his lip upward. “Alright…”
“First,” I state upon coming to a complete stop, “you have to let him know we’re going to play.”
“How?”
“Command him to a heel by delivering one sharp tug to his leash and saying ‘Banco’.”
The sparkling eyed star of the game repeats the phrase with enough force that Bear doesn’t hesitate to act accordingly.
“Now, you’re going to say eyes in Spanish to get his attention. Once you have it, you say ‘g-a-m-e time’. This helps him understand what we’re transitioning to. Give him a reward after he barks in acknowledgment.”
“Sounds easy.” I retrieve a training treat from my pocket, transfer it into his possession, and whisper the word in his ear. The instant I’m done, Tanner firmly states, “Ojos.”
Bear tosses what can only be described as a curious look upward.
“Gameeeeeee timeeeeee!!!!”
The loud woof noise being instantly delivered has the man I have no business being this into opening his palm for my dog to feast.
“Love it,” mutters Tanner in excitement. “Next?”
“Hide!”
“Hi-” is all that manages to escape prior to Bear taking off for the nearest tree.
Thankfully, the lunge forward is more comical than violent yet still rough enough I find myself worrying about an arm injury to the team’s highest score.
Pretty sure if us fucking could get me fired – not that I’m trying to bone him – then dislocating his arm definitely would.
Plus, that’s not a headline I wanna read, even if it does beat the trashier ones.
Lowering my mouth to check in on our best wing is unfortunately interrupted by Bear who thrusts his extra-large frame against the back of the tree where I “can’t” see him, an action that results in Tanner receiving a low hanging tree limb right in the face. “Fuck!”
Not wincing over the sight isn’t an option. “You good, Tanner?”
To my surprise, he shoots me a sweet glance. “I always am when you call me by my first name.”
Ignoring the way my heart thumps harder isn’t impossible.
Just improbable.
Yet necessary.
I can’t let myself fall for his shit like some sort of new to the game rookie.
I don’t date hockey players.
And they don’t really date anyway.
They fuck.
They fuck and forget you.
That’s their own off ice game.
I’ve seen it.
I know it.
I won’t be it.
Never again.
Especially not with the one who has my twin fiending for his affections like a bitch in heat.
“What uh…” he rubs at the sore spot, “what next?”
Post banishing the misplaced warmth, I rush towards them at the same time I shout, “Seek!”
At that, Bear pops out from around the corner, front limbs spread, body hunched down, tail waggling wildly in excitement.
“Atta boy!” I coo in tandem with tossing him a treat. “And now, I hide…” Disappearing around the next tree doesn’t take much effort. “And you…”
“Seek!” calls out Tanner, crossing the short distance over with Bear who repeats the previous movement in front of me.
Another reward is thrown in the air for him to catch. “Atta boy!”
“Our turn to hide…” he rushes around to the next available tree to block him and his leash wielding side kick. “And you…”
Hustling over precedes me peering playfully around the manicured foliage on a dramatic, “Seek!”
This time when the treat falls into my pet’s mouth, Tanner finds my gaze to guarantee his words are heard as much as felt. “This old dog can learn new tricks off the ice too it seems.” He delivers a loving rub of approval to the top of Bear’s head, grin growing irresistibly sweeter. “Especially for you, Ducky.”
Chapter 9
Arden
Do I mind traveling with the boys?
No.
Do I mind having to do it more this season in order to stalk Tanner for this stupid contest my family’s company is sponsoring?
More no than yes.
Do I mind having to have major life discussions via my fucking Bluetooth hearing aid in the lobby of The Frost Luxury Hotel because my mom refuses to postpone this conversation until a more convenient for me time?
Fuck. Yes.
If only I were my twin.
Maybe then what I want would matter.
“Mom-”
“Don’t you dare ‘Mom’ me, Arden Grace,” hisses the woman notorious for being the less fun parent. “You are the one being ridiculous right now.”
“Worst pre-game prep-talk ever.” I bump fists with Potato during his stroll by to the charter bus that’s parked out front of the hotel we’re in for the night. “We’re talking even worse than the one you gave me when I volunteered to help Dad arrange a charity hockey tournament to help fund the building of a new rec center in a low-income area.”