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)
Gah, he’s such a jackass. Before I can call him that, though, his dad chimes in. “Sure, but having a person to lean on makes a huge difference. Your mother and I excelled because of each other.”
Dawson waves them off, shaking his head. “Because you two were rivals and wanted to be better than the other. Being in love doesn’t matter.”
If I kick him, he won’t feel it. He has on shin guards, but kicking him is totally unprofessional. So instead, I snap, “Have you been in love?”
He scoffs like that’s the most outrageous thing I’ve ever asked. “No. I don’t have time for that.”
Now I laugh. But it’s condescending and full of mirth. “Yes, between two sports, all the females you have sucking your dick, and your huge-ass ego that you constantly have to feed, however would you have the time?”
As soon as the words leave my lips, I slap my hand across my mouth. My eyes whip to Baylor and Jayden, and their shocked faces match mine.
I actually said that out loud.
Louis and Phillipe are hooting loudly, the deep tenor of their laughter filling the space around us. Jayden snorts before looking at Baylor, who doesn’t seem the least bit impressed by my outburst.
I swallow hard, forcing myself to regain my composure. “I’m really sorry.”
Baylor waves me off. “I work here. I know my son’s reputation.”
His deep chuckle pulls my attention to him, only to find Dawson grinning as if my words were nothing but flies circling him. “So, you do know me.”
I will not let it bother me that he doesn’t remember me. I knew he wouldn’t. He was trashed that night. “I’ve seen you in action before,” I say as evenly as I can muster.
His eyes widen before the dread settles in his irises. “Wait. I’d remember being with you.”
“We didn’t hook up,” I confirm, shaking my head. “Not because you turned me down, but because I wouldn’t touch you with a hockey stick.”
His eyes dance, playfulness on his beautiful face. “I’d never turn you down, Ro.”
“It’s Ambrosia,” I correct. “And I wouldn’t give you the time of day to do so.” I vibrate with anger, but I turn to his parents. I feel the heat creeping up my face, and I know I’ve gotta get away from this situation.
Away from him.
“Are you two ready?”
Baylor nods, and Jayden holds out his hand to where I assume the meeting rooms are. Before any of us can move, Dawson says, “Love doesn’t change anything. You’re wasting your time with this. Men want to know about stats and the newest news, not if someone’s game is affected by who they’ve chosen to do life with.”
Our gazes lock, and I feel the swoop in my belly at the intensity of his look. He truly believes what he is saying, and if he weren’t such a jackass, I’d feel bad for him. I know he’s loved. It’s obvious, with the way his parents and brother look at him, and it makes me wonder why he hasn’t ever been in love. He has all the perfect displays of happy relationships around him. Not only are his parents still totally obsessed with each other, but I know Louis is in a very serious relationship. All his uncles and aunts are married, and even his oldest cousin is.
All of them committed and in love.
Okay, I know I told him I didn’t know him, but I do. He’s hockey royalty, so yeah, I know things.
Not that I’d ever tell him.
I feel myself burning from the inside out. My cheeks are probably blood red, but I don’t look away from his know-it-all eyes. He exudes confidence that has me practically salivating over him. I love a man with big dick energy, and Dawson has that in spades. I refuse to give in, though. I will not yearn for this man.
Been there, done that, got the T-shirt and the emotional trauma.
I take a step forward, which is a huge mistake. He smells like sweat and all man. The kind of smell that makes me think of huge pine trees in the mountains when my dad and I would go camping. His scent makes me feel safe, though I know Dawson is anything but.
With a glint in my eye that’s set right on him, I say as calmly as I can, “Maybe instead of wrinkling your nose at my theory…” Before I can stop myself, I flick his nose. His head jerks back, and I know people are laughing, but I’m lost in his eyes and appalled at my complete insanity at this point.
I flicked his nose.
I flicked Dawson Sinclair’s nose.
Pushing past my panic, I blurt out, “Worry about yourself. Since you’re the only one who can change your game, then you shouldn’t have an ounce of trouble picking a sport so you can stop wasting everyone’s time.”