Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 53034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
“It’s Leo’s fault,” Carter grouses. “He had one job.”
“Leo thought it was a micro pig, but it wasn’t,” I explain. “It was a gift to the girls and by the time they realized he was growing into a full-size hog, they all loved him too much to give him up.”
“I didn’t!” Carter calls out as he pedals.
“Bullshit,” I mutter. “He loves Darling.”
Her light mood quickly vanishes, and she cuts the stretching routine short, making an excuse about needing to help Melina with something.
I finish stretching with a foam roller on my own, Metallica playing over the locker room speakers. This is when lots of us want to be left alone, so we can get in the right mental zone.
I’m a visualizer, but tonight, instead of visualizing myself getting to the puck first and upsetting Vancouver’s offense, I’m picturing myself beating Macintire’s ass. I’m holding the collar of his sweater, standing while he’s on his knees, and I hit him over and over. My hands don’t even hurt. All I can see is his tortured expression as I break his face open.
I try to shake it off because I need to have a clear, focused mindset going into this game. I need to be in control.
On-ice warm-ups will start soon. I should sit somewhere alone and do some breathing exercises to calm myself, but fuck that. I’m going to find Talia.
She’s not in the locker room, and when I check Coach’s office, she’s not there either. I’m starting to wonder if she left when I glance into the equipment room.
She’s standing in the corner, her arms wrapped around herself and her head down. When she hears me come in, she looks up, her eyes wide, tears streaking down her cheeks.
“Hey,” I say softly.
She sniffs and stands up straight. “Hey, I just came in to grab something for Melina.”
“Yeah? What?”
She looks side to side. “Well ... she needed more tape. I don’t see any in here.”
I close the door to the room and walk over to her, my skate blades tapping on the concrete floor. “You don’t have to pretend. Macintire’s a worthless piece of shit. He’s not worth a single tear from you.”
Her eyes flood again.
“I know. I mean, I know I should know. I want to be able to watch this game like a badass bitch who doesn’t give a single fuck about him, but ...”
“It’s hard.”
She nods. “I said I’d go to their stupid fucking wedding next month, but like ... how?” Her voice breaks with emotion. “I’ll just cry and hide in the corner the whole time.”
I drop my brows. “Fuck them and their wedding. Why would you put yourself through that?”
She shrugs. “If I skip it, it seems like I’m not over it, and if I don’t skip it ...” She laughs as a tear trails down her cheek. “I prove I’m not over it, I guess?”
I can’t miss pregame warm-ups. But I also can’t leave this conversation.
Gloves tucked under one arm, I reach out with my free one and brush my thumb over the tear. Her eyes widen as she holds my gaze.
“Just get through tonight. You’re a beautiful, strong woman and he’s a piece of shit. If it’s hard to be in the same building as him, grab an Uber and go home. Get some ice cream. Buy yourself something you really want.”
Her shoulders drop with a deep exhale. “Yeah, that’s ... not a bad idea. I want to be able to sit in the stands and look like I don’t care, but ...”
“You’re not a soulless sack of shit like him, and you do care. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
A corner of her lips quirks into a smile. “Are you just really good at pep talks?”
“I’m not bad, but I also know Macintire. We used to play on the same team. I fucking hate him.”
“Why?”
I shift on my feet, nervous the locker room is empty out there. “Long story, and I have to hit the ice. Text me if you want to watch Severance later.”
“You want to come over to my dad’s?”
I balk. “He’d love that. I meant we can watch them at the same time. Me at my house and you at yours.”
“Oh.”
Was that flicker on her face disappointment?
She nods. “Yeah, that sounds good, actually. I don’t think I have your number, though.”
“I’ll get yours from Melina.”
“Beaumont?”
The yell in the locker room means I’m missing warm-ups. I head for the door, looking over my shoulder at Talia.
“Catch the game if you can. I think you’ll enjoy it.”
Chapter Seven
Talia
* * *
Lucien swipes a hand across his mouth, wiping away the blood running from his nose. I haven’t been able to look away from this game since I got to my dad’s house and turned it on.
The first minute Lucien and Kyle were on the ice at the same time, Lucien was chirping at him. He’s been relentless, flying toward Kyle every time he starts a shift. He’s in the penalty box for the third time tonight, and every fight has been against Kyle.