Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Life as a member of the Pittsburgh Titans is pretty freaking fantastic. I live in one of the best cities around, get paid to play the game I love and enjoy all the perks of being a professional hockey player. While many of those perks are because of who I am, one in particular is because of who I know.
Farren Abrams wasn’t on my radar until she came to town to visit her brother Rafferty. She’s smart, sarcastic, sexy as hell and can talk hockey like a pro. So when a night out with the team became a drunken hookup with Farren, there were zero complaints from yours truly. We had our fun and then she went back home—no harm, no foul. Now she’s moved to Pittsburgh permanently and while she’s still looking for some fun, I’m starting to look for more.
The more time I spend with Farren the more I like her, but to say she’s relationship averse is an understatement. Something in her past has caused her to head for the hills whenever someone gets too close, but she shuts down whenever I push for details. When she rejects my attempts to take this thing to the next level, I’m forced to seek help from none other than Rafferty, who has no idea I’m banging his little sister. With his assistance, I set out to do the one thing none of those chumps in Farren’s past have taken the time to do—help her face her demons and give her something worth staying for
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
CHAPTER 1
Farren
The bus ride from Calgary to Pittsburgh was as miserable as I expected—sticky seats, crying babies, and the pungent scent of despair mixed with stale coffee. I should have flown, but my budget is limited and the bus was the more frugal option. None of that matters, though, because Calgary is far behind me and new adventure awaits.
The moment I stepped off the bus and inhaled the crisp December air, I knew I’d made the right decision. I need a fresh start, and where better than in Pittsburgh, with Rafferty, who will have to love me no matter what?
My two suitcases and carry-on are unwieldy as I drag them down the hall to Rafferty’s door. His condo building is sleek and modern, all polished steel and glass—so much like my big brother. He’s always been the one with his act together, while I’ve been the firecracker, lighting up and fizzling out just as fast.
I’d like to say things might be different with this fresh start, but it’s highly unlikely. New city and big adventure—still the same old Farren, and the bigger portion of me is just fine with that. I don’t need anything new… just different.
I press the buzzer and wait, bouncing on my heels with nervous energy. When the door finally swings open, Rafferty’s eyes widen in shock before narrowing suspiciously. His broad frame fills the doorway, reminding me just how much space my brother can take up, both physically and with his protective presence. Rafferty isn’t just my brother—he’s a defenseman for the Pittsburgh Titans, having joined the team back in September from the Edmonton Grizzlies. He’s been making waves ever since, known for his bone-crunching hits and no-nonsense style of play.
At six six with a broad chest and shoulders that span almost the entire doorway, Rafferty is imposing even without his gear on. But it’s his face that my eyes roam over as I take him in. High cheekbones and full lips that match my own, our biggest difference being that he’s clearly had his nose broken before and I haven’t. I’m almost twenty-four and he’s three years older, but we’re often asked if we’re twins, we look so much alike. His radiant blue eyes study me critically and though I’ve teased him endlessly about his perpetually serious expression, those eyes have always held love and loyalty when staring back at me.
A faint scar above his eyebrow and another on his chin add to his ruggedness, a reminder of the physical toll hockey takes, but they only make him more striking. He’s the picture of a protective sibling and a professional athlete rolled into one, and right now, he’s looking at me like I’ve shown up to crash his well-ordered life.
“Surprise,” I chirp, throwing my arms wide.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” he growls, even as he jerks me into an all-encompassing embrace before lifting me up and twirling me around. His tone is gruff, but the squeeze he gives me says everything—he’s happy to see me, even if he’s about to give me hell. “No, seriously… what in the fuck are you doing here?”
I grin up at him. “Does a little sister need a reason to visit her most awesome big brother?”
He arches a skeptical brow as I slide past him, thumbing back at my luggage. “Grab my bags.”
“How long are you planning on staying? An eternity?” He places my suitcases at the edge of the short hallway that leads to the guest rooms.
“Maybe.” I strut into his kitchen like I own the place, grabbing a beer and cracking it open. I’ve been here twice before and know that the garbage can slides out from a cabinet drawer to the left of his sink where I toss the bottle cap.
“Did you fly in?” he asks. “I could’ve sent a car to pick you up if you’d told me you were coming.”
I settle down on an island stool, one foot planted on the floor and the other casually swinging. “Took the bus. It was a last-minute decision. I just… needed a change of scenery.”
My gaze drops down to the bottle, hoping I sound breezy enough to satisfy him and hoping he doesn’t get overly nosy. I take a sip of beer, looking around the kitchen to avoid his gaze.
“What’s going on?” he asks, and there’s no hiding the suspicion in his voice.
I meet his gaze and hold it. “Nothing’s going on.”
“You left Calgary? Just like that? What about your job?”
Crap. He’s getting nosy and I lighten my voice, radiating a confident smile. “Oh, that.” I wave my hand. “I quit. Things with Derek got messy, and I couldn’t stand being around him anymore.”
It’s vague and nowhere near the truth. I broke up with Derek this summer and never bothered to tell my parents or my brother because I didn’t want to get another lecture on my impulsivity and unwillingness to stick with something. It was just easier letting them believe things were fine in my life.