Page 56 of Pucks and Books

I kiss her once more, but then she’s called by Eliza. I watch as she walks away, still wearing my jersey, and my heart swells in my chest. Fuck, she looks good. I lick my lips and head toward my chair as Louisa’s and her sisters’ banter fills the shop. I sit down in my chair, and my phone rings. I pull it out to see it’s my mom.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Hello, my love. How are you?”

“Good, thanks. You?”

“Well, thank you,” she says, but I can hear the uncertainty in her voice.

“You sound off.”

“I know,” she agrees, her voice strained. “Listen, I hate to bring this up, but Mikayla and her mom won’t let me be. Mikayla wants to speak to you and is asking to come to a game.”

My whole body goes rigid. What the hell. “Block them.”

“I did, and then they called Grandma. Then I blocked them again, and they showed up at the house.”

“What the fuck,” I mutter, shaking my head. “I don’t have time for her crap.”

“I know, my love, and I’m sorry. Do you want to talk to her?”

Fuck no, but I know she won’t leave my mom alone. Mom has entirely too much to deal with since my grandma is struggling with her health. I could get the cops involved, get a restraining order, but then that will definitely have her coming here, and I don’t need that. I don’t want anything to come between Louisa and me, and knowing my ex, she’ll do something rash and over the top.

Nope. I need to nip this in the bud.

“I’ll call her.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Ignore her, and if she comes to the house, call the cops.”

“I’m sorry, honey. I know you don’t want this right now.”

My gaze falls on Louisa as she climbs the ladder to put away some books. She’s stunning, and knowing what I know now, her escaping her past and building an incredible present, I refuse to allow anything or anyone, including me, to hurt her. Or mess up her future.

I will protect her.

I will care for her.

And I will worship her.

“It’s all good. But if she tries to come at you funky, let her know I mean every word I say to her.”

My mom pauses. “What are you going to say?”

I press my lips together, looking around to make sure no one is close enough to hear me. “That I’ve been over her and want nothing to do with her. I have moved on, and nothing can touch what I have right now.”

“You moved on?” she asks, and I can hear the excitement in her voice. “As in, you’ve met someone?”

“I have,” I admit, and even I can’t fight my smile.

She squeals, and my smile turns to a smirk. “Who is she? Where did you meet her? When can I meet her?”

I chuckle softly, leaning back and crossing my ankles. “Her name is Louisa, I met her in her bookshop here in town, and as soon as possible, Mom. I know you’ll like her.”

I know my mom is over the moon, and when I feel someone watching me, I look over to see that Louisa’s eyes are trained on me as she stands on the ladder. Her brow is perked, a small smile playing on her lips, and I’m in awe of her. “She’s smart, exquisite, and looks really good in my jersey.”

Louisa’s lips curve, her eyes lusty and striking.

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