Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Sitting on the integrated wooden bench, she pulled up her cleats, each movement sharp and stilted. She loved her brother. She really did but, God, he needed a good bitch slap.
Beside her, Emma eyed her curiously. “You look like you want to ram your foot into someone’s face. It would be best if you didn’t do that on the field again. Coach won’t buy it was an accident if you do it twice. What’s wrong? Is it Preston?” Emma asked, lowering her voice, referring to one of the assistant coaches. “He keeps shooting glares at you. I don’t think he’s happy that you’re mated. Did he say something? Send you a bitchy text that was overflowing with jealousy?”
“He has no reason to be jealous, he has a mate of his own.” A mate who happened to be Casey’s cousin.
Emma snorted. “You’re not dumb, Frost, you know he only started dating Mallory because you refused to give him more than a one-night stand. He wanted to hurt you and make you green with envy.”
“That was over a year ago. He cares for her.”
“He does now. But initially, he was just using her. I don’t think he expected anything to come of it. Nobody did. Mallory’s boyfriends were never in the picture long—she always got bored so quickly.”
Although Casey had been equally doubtful that the relationship would last, she had considered telling Mallory about her one-night stand with Preston. But how did you tell your cousin that, hey, the guy she really liked was only using her to hurt another female? She and Mallory didn’t get along, true, but Casey hadn’t wanted to upset her.
Emma had discouraged her from saying anything, pointing out that—being highly vain and so sure of her sexual appeal—Mallory wouldn’t have believed any male would pursue her just to hurt another woman. No, she’d have accused Casey of trying to stir shit out of bitterness that she’d lured away some of Casey’s boyfriends.
After far too many hours agonizing over it, Casey had eventually decided not to say anything. Keeping the one-night stand to herself had seemed harmless when she’d been so sure the relationship wouldn’t last. But it had lasted, and the longer she’d gone without telling Mallory, the harder it was to say anything. Then Preston and Mallory had imprinted on each other, and he’d begged Casey not to tell her.
The only person other than Emma who knew of the one-night stand was Sherryl, since she’d paid Preston a surprise visit just as Casey was leaving his house that night. Sherryl probably would have blabbed about it if she wasn’t good friends with Preston, considering how much she seemed to hate Casey.
“Although he’s happy with Mallory, he never likes hearing you have a guy in your life,” Emma added. “So, no, I don’t think he’s taking it well that you’re mated. Surely you can feel him glaring daggers at you. It’s starting to piss me off.”
Yeah, Casey could. “Ignore him. I do.”
“If it isn’t Preston that’s bothering you, what has you so wound up?”
“It’s Miles. He’s done a disappearing act again.”
“And he left you to clean up whatever mess he made.” Emma sighed. “I want to call him a selfish asshole and a bunch of other names, but he’s really not a bad person. He’s just …”
“Miles. He’s just Miles.” Lost. Aimless. Wounded. Far too sensitive for his own good.
“Well, maybe Eli can help you with this. I love that you’ve finally met your mate. Have you told Adrian yet?”
“Nope. I intend to do that after training.”
“Okay, everyone, listen up,” Coach Donahue called out. Clad in her red and blue jersey with matching track pants, she stood beside the team’s healer, Dennis.
A total softie, Dennis was always on standby during practices and games. But the rule was that healers could only help during games if the player left the field and sat out the rest of it. The rule made sense since, otherwise, the game would be repeatedly paused, and a lot of time would be taken up by players being healed.
“I don’t have to remind you that we have our first game next week,” Donahue went on, fists perched on her hips. “As Emma likes to say, shit just got serious. I’ve pushed you girls hard during practice, but now I’ll be pushing you harder—and I expect nothing but everything you’ve got and more. Before you all start whining at me to tell you who’s been picked as starters, we’ll get it out of the way.”
Mentally crossing her fingers and toes, Casey stayed very still as Donahue spoke one name after another. She knew the other forwards would want it just as much, but most were younger than her. She’d earned her spot; had worked harder and longer than they had. She deserved—
And then she heard her name. Doing a victory dance in her head, she exchanged a smile with Emma, whose name had also been called out.