Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“If you say so,” I mutter, unsure if I believe her assessment of the situation.
Even though the music is cranked up and there are a ton of students packed into the space, the energy shifts. People crane their necks as the chatter escalates, reaching unprecedented levels. An air of anticipation fills the bar as if something is about to happen, but I’m unsure what.
Erin glances toward the backdoor as she bounces on the tips of her toes, her own excitement growing. “The hockey team just walked in.”
I reluctantly search the crowd until my attention lands on the guys. Even though I hate myself for it, I scan each face until it settles on him. Electricity sizzles through my veins when I find his steady gaze locked on mine. Even from across the distance that separates us, I feel the intensity that snaps in his green eyes.
I’ve never experienced that kind of awareness with anyone else.
It shouldn’t surprise me that it would only happen with Wolf.
Even after all these years.
As much as I wish it were possible to dismiss him, I can’t.
There’s a part of me that doesn’t think I’ll ever be able to do it. Not completely. No matter how much I wish otherwise. It would be like digging out a vital organ and trying to live without it. There’s just too much history between us.
Too much joy.
And too much heartache.
It’s all intertwined.
For better or worse, we’re intertwined.
“Are you ready?”
Erin’s question breaks into my scrambled thoughts, severing the strange connection.
“For what?”
“To wait on them, of course.” Her coffee-colored eyes sparkle with excitement.
“Oh, no.” I shake my head and take a quick step in retreat. “I don’t think—”
Before I can force out the rest, her fingers lock around my wrist, and she drags me through the thick crowd to the back of the bar where most of the team has settled. Earlier in the evening, I noticed that no one dared to sit at the long stretch of tables. Only now does it make sense. It might not be officially reserved for the team, but everyone seems to understand the unwritten rule.
Already there are girls buzzing about, looking for available laps to plunk themselves down on. Ryder McAdams is with his girlfriend, Juliette. I give her and Carina, who’s now going out with Ford Hamilton, a little wave. They smile in return.
Even though I don’t know them well, I like them. Not long ago, we all got together and hung out at Blue Vibe for a girls’ night. Riggs and Stella are also here. His arm is draped across her shoulders, and she’s leaning against him. He drops a casual kiss against the top of her head. Those two are so into each other. I get a toothache every time I’m around them.
Madden and Viola are noticeably absent. My cousin mentioned that they were going to stay in and watch a movie. After the other day, I can just imagine what else will be taking place. It was a mentally scarring experience for all involved.
All right. Maybe not Madden. He seemed unfazed by the entire episode.
Britt was also here for a while before she took off for the night. She doesn’t seem interested in hanging with the hockey players.
And that, I can appreciate.
Reluctantly my gaze returns to Wolf. He’s lounging on a chair with his long legs stretched out in front of him. His eyes are pinned to me even though there are three girls trying to capture his attention. A few of them run their hands over his bulging biceps.
It’s enough to make me grit my teeth in irritation. The urge to swat them away like the pesky flies they are thrums through me.
“Wolf Westerville is such a hottie, don’t you think?”
My gaze stays fastened to him as she whisper-yells the question over the thumping beat of music.
When I remain silent, she continues. “He’s definitely the strong and silent type. And broody. God, but I love a broody man.”
My attention slices to her.
She has a thing for Wolf?
I mean, duh…I’m sure she does. Most of these girls do.
And why wouldn’t they?
As much as I hate to admit it, he’s even more attractive than when he was in high school.
Hot.
And she’s right, the man is broody. He gives off a don’t fuck with me vibe. Which only makes him even more attractive to the fairer sex. It’s like waving around a red, pheromone-soaked cape in front of a horny bunch of bulls.
When we were younger, he wasn’t quite so sullen. He laughed and smiled all the time. At least he did around us. Only now do I realize that all the times I’ve caught sight of him on campus, there’s been an air of seriousness hanging over him. Almost as if he was mentally removed from the people around him.
Even his friends and teammates.