Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Through my fingers, I can see Coach fighting back a grin. “Yup, and he’s your responsibility.”
“Ew, why?” I ask, dropping my hands. “We don’t like each other.”
“Sure the hell don’t,” Dawson adds, much to Coach’s dismay.
“More of a reason to mentor him, shape him into a player who can replace you.”
I grin at that. “Sir, I’m not replaceable.”
Coach’s blank look almost makes me laugh. “I want him ready to be moved up without fail by next game. You’ve got five days.”
I sling a thumb toward Dawson. “Five days to get him as good as me? I’ll need years, sir.”
“I said to play on your line. He has the skill. You two just need to find the chemistry, knowing where the other is, and trusting each other.”
“I mean this with all the respect, sir, but I don’t like him,” I say, and Dawson scoffs. “And I don’t trust him.”
“Feeling is mutual.”
“He was mad my girlfriend chose me.”
“I was not,” Dawson snaps. “I was annoyed you locked her down.”
“See? I can’t work with a jealous, bumbling buffoon.”
Dawson scoffs. “And I can’t work with a know-it-all kiss-ass who thinks everyone should bow down to him.”
I grin over at him. “Get on your knees where you belong.”
“Okay, that’s enough!” Coach yells, and we snap our lips shut. “You are teammates. Surely there is something you can find that you both like. Other than hockey.”
“He thinks my girl is hot.” I cut Dawson a look. “He’s not wrong, but she’s mine, so he can’t bond with me over her.”
Coach blinks. “Get your asses out of my office.”
I laugh at that, but bonding with Dawson isn’t anything to joke about. How in the hell am I supposed to get this kid ready when I can’t stand him? “Come on, Dawson, let’s go check the creek for our chemistry.”
When Coach cackles, my grin grows. “I told Bay people would tease him about that damn show. She didn’t care. She loved the name.”
“Yeah, thanks for fighting for me, Dad,” Dawson mutters as he follows me out of the office. Once in the hall, he falls into step with me. “So, what are we doing?”
I look over at him. “We’ll practice. Together. Go gear up.”
“Now? We just got done,” he says, and I swear the color is draining from his face.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Do you not like to work?” He mumbles something, and I watch as he walks in front of me. To his back, I say, “Don’t worry, we can cuddle and watch your namesake if you like.”
Over his shoulder, Dawson snarks, “Will Cameron be sandwiched between us?”
I have half a mind to check the kid into the wall, but I don’t. Somehow. When we enter the locker room, it’s buzzing with word of ReVerti. Apparently, he was hopped up on Molly at practice and was selling that, along with a date rape drug. Fucking awesome. Bastard. When I get to my phone, there is a message from Cameron.
Cameron: Aced my money marketing exam.
Cameron: Thanks for your notes.
Camron: I can’t wait to see you.
Cameron: Am I meeting you at the rink, or are you picking me up?
My heart swells when the last text is a bunch of hearts, kissing emojis, gymnasts doing cartwheels, and hockey sticks.
Me: That’s my girl. I’m so proud of you. I am stoked and ready to get you in my arms after 148 hours of missing the feel of your lips. I’ve got another hour here, but I can grab you after. I’ve got my clothes here, so I can come straight to you.
Cameron: Did you Google how many hours it was?
Me: I did.
Cameron: I just Googled to make sure you were right.
Me: ’Cause you’re a pain in my ass. You couldn’t just be like, Wow, how romantic.
Cameron: No, ’cause I wanted to know if you were right.
I laugh as I reach for my jersey.
Cameron: I thought you were done like twenty minutes ago?
Me: I gotta hit the ice with one of my teammates who is being moved up to my line. I can’t let him make me suck.
Cameron: I don’t feel it’s possible for you to suck.
Cameron: Okay, did you want me to come there?
Cameron: I’m bored. And maybe I can sneak a kiss real fast.
My eyes drift shut as I exhale heavily. I’m about to blow off Dawson and go get my girl.
Me: Wait like forty minutes. I don’t want you waiting and being cold.
Cameron: Okay, see you soon!
Me: Not soon enough.
And that’s the damn truth, but it’s all good. I’ll deal with Dawson, and then I’ll get my hands on my girl.
My reward to myself for a job well done.
Because I will do a good job, no matter how much I want to send Dawson down the fucking creek.
Chapter Thirty-One
Cameron
Benson may have been worried I would be cold in the rink, but his jersey keeps me warm pretty well. I pull my hat down lower on my head as I walk into the rink that I heard sounds of skates coming from. Instantly, my gaze falls on Benson. I don’t know why I’m always so surprised by how massive he is on his skates. Maybe it’s because I’m so much shorter than he is, or maybe because he moves as if he isn’t a towering 6’6” of muscle. I don’t know, but damn if I don’t love watching him play.