Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Imagine that.
I’ll be sure to tag him in these pics shortly though.
Gianna snaps a few more photos on her phone, then I hand her my phone, too, and return to my spot between the rivals. They sling their arms around me again.
And again, I don’t mind one bit. Ryker’s arm is so big. Chase’s too. Strong arms are just extra nice.
“Perfect,” Gianna declares when she’s done, then holds up a finger. “But let me just check and make sure they’ll work.”
As Gianna busies herself swiping the screen, the guy with the killer smile turns to me. “So, who’s your favorite player, Trina? I’m guessing since you’re wearing a Weston jersey that it’s me,” Chase says, all charm and great teeth. He’s friendlier than I’d expected him to be. I’d figured a couple of pampered athletes would just smile plastically for the camera, since they’re doing this out of obligation, then focus their attention on the game, no conversation allowed.
I return his smile with one of my own. “Is that a requirement? That I have a favorite?” I ask playfully.
“Nope. But it’s likely you will when you see me play.” Someone is confident.
But Ryker scoffs.
I turn to him, curious. “Does that mean you think you’ll be my favorite instead?”
He scratches his jaw, a little aloof. “I don’t play to make favorites. I play to win,” he says with a careless shrug, but he’s not aloof with his stare, aimed right at me. His dark blue eyes are smoldering with their intensity. With a promise of what’s to come.
In the game? On the ice? Or after when we all play…Ping-Pong?
I’m not sure, but it seems like it’d be fun to wind him up. “Then maybe we should make a bet. If you’re both my favorite players after the game, I’ll buy a round. But it’s going to take a lot of convincing,” I warn, then shrug casually, ready to surprise these guys with this little nugget. I lean in and whisper, “It’s my first time…at a hockey game.”
Chase whistles. “Fuck favorite players. We have a bigger mission now for your virgin game,” he says, a little flirty. “We’re gonna make sure hockey is your new favorite sport.”
I arch a doubtful brow then say, “Good luck.”
There’s no way I plan on falling for either team, or for my ex’s favorite game for that matter. Still, I have a full night of revenge gloating ahead of me, and I plan to savor every second here at the arena and with these two guys.
“Drinks are on us when you’re convinced, and you’ll definitely be convinced,” Chase adds, full of athlete bravado.
Ryker rolls his eyes at the other guy. “Dickhead, drinks are on us. It’s part of the VIP package,” he says, and this bearded brute might as well have G-R-U-M-P written on his jersey.
But he’s not wrong. “You make a very good point too,” I say sweetly to Ryker, since grumps don’t scare me.
The man’s brow knits, like he’s taken aback by my comment. That’s fun, his reaction.
“I mean, details matter, right?” I add with a smile.
His forehead gets even tighter. “Yeah. They do,” he grumbles, but his lips twitch, like he’s fighting off a grin.
Ha. I’ve defused the big bad grump some. Yay me.
“Speaking of good points and details, I’ll be expecting a full report over drinks, Trina,” Chase says, cutting in and taking over. “Every detail on how I convinced you hockey is the best.”
I tap my temple and say, “Don’t worry. I’ll take copious notes for later.”
“And we’ll have a full review then, Trina,” he says, pausing at my name, almost like he’s enjoying the way it tastes on his tongue.
That’s unexpected, the ramp up. And I don’t have a comeback this time. Especially since both men are looking at me with competitive fire in their eyes.
For a few seconds, I feel a little wobbly under the heat of their stares. Like I’m the unexpected object of their desires. But there’s no way they’d both be staring at me like that. I’ve probably read too many books. I’m likely imagining the flames in their irises, mistaking their drive to win for, well, a drive for something else.
Besides, they probably just want to prove their dicks are bigger than the next guy’s. “I can’t wait for the full review,” I say.
“I can’t either,” Chase says, then shakes my hand, sealing our bet. As our palms connect, warmth licks my veins again. I’m not sure what to make of this sensation skimming through me. I’m in an icy arena. I should be shivering.
Instead, I’m borderline sweating.
“The pics look great. You guys nailed the friendly rivals brief,” Gianna says, interrupting my thoughts and my tingles.
I snap my gaze to her and she’s waving, beckoning me over. I let go of Chase’s hand, perhaps a little reluctantly. “See you guys later,” I say to my VIP hosts.