Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 51902 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 260(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51902 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 260(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
His family was a tougher nut to crack. They were all friendly enough, but I think we confused them. We were unexpected, and they weren’t sure what to think—Jett’s dad, especially. I sensed he was proud of his son but stingy with praise.
Jett didn’t seem to care anymore. He knew who he was.
He’d proved to be a valuable asset on his new team, and much to his father’s chagrin, he was well-compensated for his contribution. He still had dreams of playing in the AHL—or gosh, the NHL, but he didn’t waste time wondering about what-ifs. He was a doer, a game changer.
As my seatmate had observed, Jett Erickson had fought to put Pride back in hockey. The Spiders had gone the way of a lot of franchises and had stopped hosting Pride night, until my boyfriend had stepped up and made it happen.
Tonight’s event was the second annual, and this sold-out event had raised a ton of money for homeless LGBTQ teens. Jett battled on the ice and in the owner’s office promoting change and making a difference. I couldn’t have been more proud.
And yes, that was me screaming my lungs out when the buzzer sounded and the Spiders won.
We drove home after the postgame party, fingers linked across the console. The soft music and the fuzzy lights from oncoming traffic was hypnotic. I felt my eyes drift, but I didn’t want to fall asleep. I glanced sideways with a start…first noting that Jett was staring at me and not the road, and second—
“You’re driving like a bat out of Hades.”
Jett barked a laugh. “I am not. I’m very responsible. I have precious cargo, baby.”
I huffed. “Hmph. Well…you’re supposed to be navigating with your eyes trained on the traffic. Not on me.”
“Fine. But just so you know, I’m rolling my eyes.” He kissed our joined hands.
“Noted. You’re doing it again. Do I have something on my face?” I asked, meeting his gaze.
He shook his head. “No, you’re perfect. I saw you in the stands tonight, and my heart kind of exploded.”
I grinned. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I never thought I’d have this. I can’t believe I’m here…with you. Sometimes I can’t believe how far we’ve come and how cool my life is. Thank you.”
“For stalking you?”
Jett laughed. “Yeah. I love you, baby.”
I smiled so hard that tears leaked from the corners of my eyes. “I love you, too.”
I wasn’t the one driving, so I looked my fill, admiring Jett’s strong profile in the dark.
How unexpectedly wonderful it was to be on this journey with my best friend.
Someday we’d get married, buy a house, plant a veggie garden, get a dog…or two, and have children. Big plans that had nothing to do with our careers. We weren’t in a hurry, but it would all happen. I knew it.
We’d taken a one-time shot at love, and scored. This was forever.