Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“I like the sound of this. Tell me more about her.”
So I do. I snuggle in close and tell him about Aliyah, her helping me with my stage fright and opening up with people. About finally being able to perform, what it was like being part of a team. Even when I realized some of the kids didn’t like me, I still felt like I was a part of something.
Kason listens to every story I tell him, asks questions, and smiles. He makes me feel like I’m the center of his world, and despite knowing it’s something he does with everyone, in this moment, it makes me feel unique, special.
I ask him more questions about hockey and what it was like growing up. We talk late into the night, until our voices are scratchy and we can hardly keep our eyes open. And when mine do fall closed, it’s Kason who reaches over me and turns out the light, then goes right back to holding me as we drift off to sleep.
He wakes me up in the morning with soft words in my ear. “Ant…I have to go. I’ll text you later, okay?”
I yawn, stretch, try to open my eyes. “I’ll walk you out.”
“You’re fine. Stay in bed, little dancer.” He pulls the covers up around me, and that’s all it takes for me to do as he says, to let Kason be nice to me in this way not many people have ever been to me.
In that moment, I decide that despite knowing it won’t last, I’m going to enjoy this, enjoy him, while I can. And when I lose him, I’ll carry these memories of him with me to remember what it felt like to have someone I wanted to stay.
*
Donovan: Emergency meeting of the Jilted Exes’ Club needed STAT!
Hayes: What’s wrong?
Donovan: I’m fine. I’m calling it on behalf of Anthony, who won’t.
Me: LOL. Maybe that means I don’t need it?
Hayes: Or that you’re stubborn. Dono is right. You’re dating Mads and didn’t tell us! I’m supposed to be the one who doesn’t know how to talk about important things.
Donovan: I think that’s both of you…
Me: Gee, thanks.
The truth is, they’re right. I play the game a lot better than Hayes, pretend I’m this open book, but there’s so much about me they don’t know. So much about me I want to learn to share. Maybe I can start by talking to them about Kason because everything about him feels so far out of my wheelhouse, I’m destined to fuck this up sooner rather than later.
Me: I’m not going to Lush until nine tonight…
Donovan: I’m off today.
Hayes: I can get off early.
Me: Five at my place?
Donovan: I’ll bring dinner.
I look at their texts an embarrassing number of times today. The messages from Kason too. I have people, and it’s both unfamiliar and exciting.
I’m smart enough not to allow myself on social media, though. I locked down the comments on posts last night, turned off notifications on tags, and steered clear of any news or tabloid cycles. It doesn’t matter that I’m going viral for a good reason this time. I hate this kind of attention, hate having people poking in my life or wanting to know my business.
I’ve already touched base with managers and security at Lush. We came up with a plan to try and keep the paparazzi out. At this point, all we can do is hope they find a bigger story than a dancer at a bar dating a hockey player.
God, that’s weird to even think. I’m dating Kason Maddox. I’m still not quite sure if I believe it.
I do my best not to obsess about Kason, the media, or anything like that throughout the day, until there’s a knock at my door. I tense up for a moment, but then tell myself it’s just Donovan and Hayes, and I refuse to live in fear of nosy photographers and people who get their joy from other people’s lives. One peek through the peephole shows my friends on the other side, Donovan with a bag in his hand.
Once they’re inside, I ask, “Is there anyone outside my building?”
“No, thankfully,” Hayes replies. “Though it’s probably because they know the Rebels are traveling.”
“Can you try and be a little more optimistic?” I tease. “They’re already bored with the three of us and have moved on.”
His eyes widen. “That too!”
“I’m giving you shit.” I hug him and Donovan, the smell of Mexican food filling my senses. “Just what I needed.” I take the bag from him and head into the kitchen.
“So…” Donovan starts as I pull containers of rice and tacos out of the bag.
“So…how are you?” I try to play it off as if there’s nothing going on.
“Nope. You’re not getting away with that. Mads is your boyfriend?”
Wait…is Kason my boyfriend? Is that what he means by dating? I have no idea how to answer this question or if I even want to. “We’re dating,” I say, which is the safest and easiest option, but like, what the fuck? Do I have a boyfriend? Why am I so fucking bad at this? Just sex is a whole lot easier.