Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“Then focus on football,” Jace insists, his voice full of exasperation. “You can’t keep beating your body up like this. Especially after that concussion you had last season.”
I get what he’s saying, but it was a mild concussion.
I was only out for two weeks after getting blasted into the boards when we were fighting for the championship. The Bellevue Bullies hockey team has won the championship four times since I have been at Bellevue, but we haven’t won one as a football team. I feel like this could be the year. My accuracy is top-notch, and I have two new receivers who could catch a pea if I threw it at them. I feel it in my bones; this is our year.
Problem is, I told everyone I was going to go all in on hockey.
Hence, the staredown.
“I can do both. I’m in great shape.”
I am. I am a super health freak. I do everything from red light therapy to cryotherapy to all the therapies to keep my body healthy for the two sports I can’t bring myself to pick between. I am a very strict paleo eater, and I drink my body weight in water. When I’m not working out on the field or the ice, I’m in the gym getting stronger. I’m the picture of perfect health. “You said I had more offers for hockey than I do football?”
“Yes. So why are we worried about a championship?” Jude asks, his mouth turned down. “I swear, if you weren’t my nephew, I’d drop you as a client for the pure fucking stress you put me under.”
“And I’d kick your ass,” Dad supplies, but Jude laughs.
“I could beat your ass with my pinkie toe, and I said if he weren’t. Turn your hearing aids up,” he teases, much to Dad’s dismay. My dad is the only one of the brothers with grays. He’s convinced Jude is dyeing his hair, and honestly, I wouldn’t put it past him. He loves to look good for his wife.
“This isn’t about you two idiots. It’s about Dawson,” Jace says, setting the conversation back on track. “Do you even want to go pro?”
“Yes!” I say almost instantly. “Talk me through my offers?”
All eyes fall to Jude. He presses his lips together. “The Devils, Seattle, and the Ducks dropped their interest when they saw you were playing football this season.”
Fuck. I nod slowly. While my dream is to play for the Nashville Assassins, I’m not naïve. I have to go to a lower-ranked team, show everyone what I’ve got, then get Jude to beg Shelli Adler-Brooks, the GM of the Assassins, to trade for me. “Who do we have an interest from for football?”
He cringes. “The Jets, Bears, and Jags.” He shakes his head. “Listen, kid. The money and the fame are in hockey. You are a legacy, a household name. Give up football and focus on the sport you’re meant to be in.”
I know this. I do, but I won’t commit.
My mom says I have commitment issues.
I don’t want to agree, but since I’ve never been in a relationship, she may be onto something.
“What if you get hurt?” Dad asks, his eyes searching mine. “Then everything you’ve worked for is up in smoke.”
Like those thoughts haven’t crossed my mind. But I can get hurt walking to the bathroom. Not that I’d say it, but I wouldn’t be sad if it happened. I could focus on helping kids in sports. But I really do want to play professionally. I want to make these three proud. Hell, even my mom is a household name. Not only was she the first woman to play in the NHL, but she is also a three-time Team USA medalist in hockey for the women’s team. She’s the coach for the Bullies’ women’s team, and she’s a freaking powerhouse. Jude isn’t kidding. I am a legacy, and I’m letting everyone down.
“We have a good O-line this year. I’ll be fine. Let me get us a championship,” I try, but they all don’t seem to like the idea. I fall back into one of my mom’s vintage high-back chairs as everyone glowers at me.
Jace crouches down so that our eyes are level. “The risk of injury is too high.”
“I’ll be fine,” I promise, even though it’s a promise I really can’t make. Anything can happen at any moment. “I just want to finish my last year doing both sports.”
Jude runs his hands down his face as Dad’s head falls back.
From the kitchen, Mom reminds me, “It’s your choice, Dawson.”
She has her hair up in a high pony with a bright teal scrunchie shining in her dark locks. Her eyes are a vibrant hazel that honestly pack a punch, but they’re also so full of love. She’s wearing my dad’s old Assassins tee with a pair of cotton shorts as she meal preps for the family. I can see the concern in her eyes. She doesn’t like when they gang up on me, but she knows it’s needed.