Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Hennington has also called; however, she left a voicemail, I’ll check later.
You know.
When I’m not up to my molars in micromanaging duties due to having to disappear for an undisclosed amount of time.
I don’t care how long I need to here.
I will be.
The practice can continue to function.
I’m sure the others won’t mind a few more dollars in their accounts.
Family comes first.
It’s something Thayne and I agree on.
Thoughts of him and his needs prompt me to do a little research on the nearest rinks and renting out ice time and closest areas to buy new gear.
He’s eventually going to need the outlet.
I wanna be prepared to help provide it.
That’s what a Slayer does.
That’s what makes us more than just stick riders.
Vibrations against the table, pull my attention over to see another text from my brother.
M: PLEASE PICK UP THE PHONE.
I prepare to swipe it away when a second pops up.
M: I KNOW YOU’RE AWAKE.
Of course he knows.
Because he knows me.
Like I know him.
And that’s why he’s relentlessly messaging.
I would do the same if the situation was reversed except, I wouldn’t have made him choose between me and Mari.
I’ve never done that.
I would never do that.
Why did he have to try to do it to me?
M: JUST. PICK. UP.
M: PLEASE GILLY.
This time when the option to video chat appears on my computer screen, I pause the show on my phone, reluctantly hit answer, and flop my sweatshirt covered frame backwards into the chair. “What, M? I’m really, realllyyyyy not in the headspace for a lecture or a woe as me speech or the blame game or whatever it is you’re dying to say.”
He simply flops his face into his open palm and meekly asks, “You okay?”
Not seeing an inkling of anything other than pure, unfiltered concern successfully causes my shoulders to slump.
My heart to plummet to my stomach.
My head to slowly shake as tears struggle to not swell in my eyes.
He flashes me a sympathetic grin before investigating, “How many times have you guys met?”
“This was our first face to face, but we’ve been chatting over video since Bronny first arrived this summer.”
“She likes you, aye?”
“I’m super likeable.”
“So, she loves you.”
“Like a rookie does his first skate.”
“It’d be weird if she didn’t.”
“How weird?”
“Like a Veteran falling to the ECHL.”
“That never happens.”
“That rarely happens.”
“It’s impossible.”
“Improbable,” he corrects prior to grinning, “like not adoring you, Gilly.”
New tears threaten to arrive in my gaze yet successfully overwhelm my voice, “I don’t know how they’re gonna survive without her…”
“They’ll make it.” M leans into the camera a little closer. “They’ve got you.”
His words of encouragement grant the tears clinging to my lids permission to fall.
“How is tendy?” An immediate cringe comes across his expression. “Er…Groffee.” He repeats the facial cower. “Um…Groff? Is it Groff?” The hand not propping up his head scrubs his face. “Thayne? I should probably call him Thayne, aye?”
I offer him a small nod.
“How’s he holding up?”
“He’s…” the ache in my chest deepens, “doing the best he can.”
“Trying to put on the brave big brother face for Bronskie?”
“Yeah.”
“How is he really?”
“A wreck.”
“How bad?”
“Bill Withers.”
“Huh?”
“There will be no sunshine when she’s gone,” my other half retorts upon joining the convo. “I appreesh the reference, Gillybean.” He drags the chair on the opposite side around so that we can be side by side. “And for lettin’ me catch a few Zs.”
“Why aren’t you still catching them?” I ask the instant he’s settled in his seat.
“Grams kicked me out.”
“What?!”
“Yeah, hot bro nurse came in, so her grandson needed to go.” Short snickers shake his shoulders at the same time he winds an arm around mine. “Apparently, my cock blockin’ skills ain’t ones she’s interested in seein’.”
“Bronny knows them well.”
“That’s cause he can’t be alone for five minutes without tryin’ to whip his dick out for a broadskie.” Light laughs leave us both prior to him turning to face the camera. “Coach.”
“And as your coach, I have a responsibility to communicate to you certain information.”
Irritation trails itself up my spine, convincing me to lower my jaw in preparation of ripping my brother a new one.
“The Camelot game came to an emergency end under the guise of being rescheduled.”
Our eyebrows launch into the morning sky alongside our tandem croaking, “What?”
“Due to the altercation off the ice and the family emergency that took not only the player but the victim elsewhere, both GMs agreed with the league that rescheduling was the best option. The league – and the PA – were both informed of the situation and the charges that have been officially filed with DPD. DPD will be in contact with both of you this week via video chat – because you are not available in person – to conduct follow up interviews if necessary and maintain communication about the progress of your report. Hennington – who has left you a voicemail – wanted me to inform you both that she will not be letting this matter go unchecked. Dixon has been tasked with making sure this case is handled in a timely manner or outside sources will be tapped to ensure that it does.”