Page 65 of These Pucking Boys

Instead of going to the family lounge, Katrina and I decide to watch the players warm up. We find a place by the glass close to Lachlan’s goal. My skin is humming with excitement. I can’t believe it’s only been a couple days since the most humiliating day of my life. It feels like it’s been years.

I look at the Jumbotron screen, which is currently showing players’ highlights. It’s hard to believe I was on that screen, learning that the man I thought was the one had been cheating on me. Now I can’t even remember why I thought he was husband material.

Lights flash, and loud music explodes from the speakers when the Titans enter the ice. My pulse accelerates as I search for my guys.My guys? When did they become mine?I’m getting ahead of myself and doing exactly what I shouldn’t—becoming attached. Ugh. I’m a dumbass.

Katrina touches my arm and squeezes. “I can’t believe you were railed by those men!”

“Shhh! Do you think I want to broadcast that to the entire arena?”

“Relax. No one can hear us over all the noise.” She takes a sip of her beer.

I’m not drinking at the game, since I’m going to the charity event with Jake and the last thing I want is to show up buzzed. The goal is to avoid a disaster and not embarrass Jake in front of his peers.

Naturally, Lachlan is the first I spot on the ice. He looks like a giant in all that goalie gear. He doesn’t see me though. I think he’s in the zone already. Unfortunately, the helmet hides his beautiful face—a face that was between my legs last night. My body temperature rises.

“Do you feel hot? Why is it hot here?” I fan myself.

Katrina laughs, then thrusts her beer cup at me. “Here. Take a sip.”

I accept her offer only because I do need to cool down. “Thanks.”

I’m between gulps when a player knocks on the glass before me, and obviously, I spill the beer all over my chin. Ryan grins on the other side of the glass while I wipe my face with my sleeve. He winks and then waves before skating away to join his teammates.

“Oh my God. Was that one of your boys?” Katrina asks.

“He’s not mine,” I grit out.

“You know what I mean. He’s more handsome in person. You’re a lucky girl, June.”

The butterflies in my stomach seem to agree with Katrina, and my stupid heart as well, despite my brain telling me this is a fairytale that won’t last. It’s already on an unexpected extension.

Jake skates by us but doesn’t make eye contact with me. The quick glimpse I catch of his face reveals an entirely different man. There’s no warmth, just a cold and hard expression.

“Wow, Jake Phillips is one scary dude. I wouldn’t want to pick a fight with him.”

“He’s not like that outside of the ice though.”

“He’d better be a cinnamon roll with you, girl. I mean, asinnamon roll.” She bumps her hip with mine. “He’s scary, but he’s hot as hell.”

Other people join us, and it becomes too crowded to keep talking about the guys in such an intimate way. I’m more than okay to continue exploring this new world of pleasure with them, even if my heart receives another blow. But what I can’t allow to happen is for this secret to come out. I could lose my job, and my family would never speak to me again. It would ruin me.

Once the warm-up is over, Katrina and I head to our excellent seats. They aren’t by the glass, but a few rows up and in the middle.

“Wow, I’ve never sat so close to the action before. Let’s take a selfie with the ice in the background.”Katrina turns around and throws her arm around my shoulder. “Say, sausage party!”

“Oh my God. You’re terrible.”

“Seriously, June. Smile. You have more than one reason.” She pushes our heads together and points the camera at us.

We take a few photos before she’s satisfied. “I’ll send this to Beau. He’ll be so jealous.”

I laugh. “That’s cruel, Kat.”

“Cruel my ass. I pushed four of his giant babies through my veejay. This is nothing.”

“We still have time until the puck drop. Should we get snacks?”

“I’m not hungry but I could use another beer.” She chugs what’s left in her cup, and then we head to the food court.

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