Read Pulse: Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 6) for Free Online Page A

She motions for us to move, and Lori, Dannika and I scramble into a dressing room.
    Three styles of violet-colored dresses are hanging. Dannika says, “Let’s all try this one first.”
    We are an interesting mix of bridesmaids, with Lori being barely five feet tall and Dannika just over six feet. After parading out in all three gowns, Casey picks the one that magically works for everyone, and we order Gretchen a dress to be delivered to a shop near her on the East Coast.
    Casey says, “Okay. Crack open the bubbly, and pour me a glass. Dannika and I are about to go in.”
    She’s referring to the huge warehouse of dresses in the back. The bottle of champagne is slippery with moisture when I grab it, and the cork pops loudly. Lori holds the glasses as I pour. Dannika makes a toast. “To the beautiful bride!”
    Bubbles dance on my tongue before I swallow, and Casey hands her glass to me after one sip to say, “Let’s do it.”
    Once they’re gone, I lean back on the couch to relax. The velvet is smooth under my hand as I stroke the arm of the sofa.
    Lori says, “I don’t know about you, but all this wedding stuff with Dannika and Casey has my mind going to dangerous places.”
    I nod and ask, “Are you and Kaleb even ready for that?”
    “That’s the thing. I’m not. But I’m getting little hints that Kaleb wants to know what I’m thinking about our future.” She takes a sip of her drink, and I watch her throat work as she swallows. “Would you say anything?”
    I think about my current predicament and wonder where Nick and I would be now if he had known I couldn’t marry him. “I think it’s always good to be honest with each other.” Like I was with Nick in the beginning. Because I do want a family and children someday. “But remember, a couple years can change everything.”
    “I think you’re right. I love Kaleb, and he makes me happy. It’s fine to be in love and have a relationship that is nothing more than that for right now. It’s not like we’re old and desperate for husbands.”
    Lori has a good point. It is okay to be in a relationship that is for right now and not forever. Unfortunately, that does little to help my situation, because I’m dealing with an expiration date.

Chapter 7
    F or the past three weeks , Stacy has spent more time with Nick than I have. Bonded by their desire to make dev team, they train during the day and spend hours at night poring over video, notes, and anything they think might help their chances. I do give Nick credit though. To make sure the time he spends with Stacy isn’t a problem for me, they study at our house. I’m grateful for his consideration, even if it can’t stop my jealousy.
    The night air is crisp when I get out of the car, and my ears are cold by the time I make it to the top of the steps that lead to my apartment. Heather insisted Nick and Stacy both take a day off from everything before driving to Vail tomorrow for their exam. Nick asked me to take the day off too, and I’m looking forward to spending time together.
    The door swishes over carpet as I push it open, and Nick calls out, “Hey, babe. How was work?”
    I walk in to discover him on the floor with a leg up in the air and resting against Stacy’s torso. Heat is rising up my body as I will my green monster to stay contained. I ask, “Hamstrings tight?”
    Nick must notice my anger, because he says, “That’s enough, Stacy.”
    She releases him, and he hops up to step over and give me a quick kiss. “Missed you.”
    Stacy rolls her eyes, and I want to punch her.
    Nick wraps an arm around my waist and keeps it there when he turns back to Stacy. She says, “I should go. I’ll pick you up at four.”
    “Sounds good, thanks,” says Nick.
    As soon as the door clicks shut, he turns to me. “I wish you wouldn’t let her upset you. You’re the one I want.”
    “I know. But she’s in love with you, and as incredibly selfish as this sounds, I hate that she’ll be making her