The Workaholic and the Realist (New Hampshire Bears #2) Read Online Free Page A

check on you. Is it in her editing contract to check on you when you’re ill?”
    I knew she wanted me to marry and have children, but I’ve told her, just like with the topic of my parents, I didn’t want to get married nor have children.
    “Harlow’s nice. Nothing else.”
    Grams stifled a laugh. “I’m old, not blind. I can see there’s something more.”
    “It could be because you think you see something and there’s nothing.”
    “Keep thinking that way, Keaton Michael.”
     

     
    Practice was the best I’d had in a long time until Coach showed up. His foul mood ruined it and put us all in the same mood.
    Remington invited me to lunch afterward, and since I was ahead on my schoolwork and my edits, I could spare some time for lunch.
    “I’ve not seen you in forever.” Remington slid into the booth.
    “Busy healing.” I lightly pat my ribs. They were sore, but nothing like they were a few days ago.
    “I bet. How’s it going with Harlow?”
    I shrugged and picked up the menu. “I told you she and I are just friends.”
    “Dude, I’ve never known you to have female friends. What gives?”
    Before I could answer, the waitress came back and took our orders. I needed to come up with something to say or change the topic.
    “How’s the chick you were seeing?” Changing the topic seemed like the easier idea.
    “I’ve not been with anyone since I’ve been in Manchester.”
    “What?” I could have sworn I’d heard him on his cell talking to a female more than once.
    “What, what?”
    “Dude, I thought you had a girl?”
    “No,” he said firmly.
    “Then what about Maxima?”
    “There’s nothing going on there,” he stated.
    “Oh, but you want there to be.” I knew what his tone meant.
    “She’s a nice person. Nothing else.”
    “So, you say.”
    I let it go because I could see his face getting red. Even though I liked ragging on him, I didn’t want to pry into his personal life. I wouldn’t want anyone in mine. I get enough from Grams.
    I changed the topic to hockey and our standings. We also talked about our goalie, Teo Elgin. He had a good personality, but his game had been way off lately. Really bad, actually. I knew Coach had been riding his ass worse than ours.
    “He’ll probably be traded soon or dropped back to the farm.” Remington dived into his food.
    I’ve done my time in the minors, aka the farm. A lot of good players from the PHL have been there.
    “I say he goes farming.” I bit into my burger.
    “He’s a nice guy.”
    “Nice doesn’t matter if he can’t stop the pucks. You and Kyson can put shit in the back of the net all three periods, but if Teo can’t stop any then what’s the point?”
    Remington nodded in agreement, and we went back to eating. Once we finished everything, we headed off in our different directions to get ready for the game.
    I stopped at the store and grabbed a few things for Grams and ran them over to her. I made sure Grams’ places, when we changed towns, were something simple and small, the way she liked it. I told her she didn’t have to follow me, but I loved she does.
    “Grams,” I announced myself coming through the door.
    “In here,” she called from the kitchen.
    “I brought you a few things since it’s supposed to snow again tonight.”
    Grams sat at her kitchen table, having a cup of warm tea. “I don’t think I’m going to the game tonight, Keaton Michael.”
    After I put everything up, I sat across from her. “Are you okay?”
    “I’m fine, but I don’t feel like driving.” She patted my hand lovingly.
    “Okay, do you need me to get anything else for you?” I’d go to the moon and back for her if she needed me to.
    “Why don’t you go home and start on the project for school? Don’t worry about me.”
    “I’ll always worry about you. You’re a little too rebellious, and I’ve got to keep you in line,” I joked with her.
    Grans laughed, and I felt better seeing her smile. “You’re such a good boy,