Page 3 of These Pucking Boys

I flip the sheet of paper and see a list of three names. That makes me feel better. When Mrs. Carpenter asked if I could take care of her pets while she was on her three-month trip to Europe, I should have said no, but I couldn’t. She’s been talking about that trip since we moved into the building five years ago. It’s a lifelong dream that she finally gets to fulfill.

“Everything looks good. When do you leave?”

“Tonight. I’m sorry I won’t be able to see your first game of the season.”

“It’s pre-season. You’ll be back while we’re in the thick of it.” I smile.

She pats my arm. “Nevertheless. I expect you to kick ass tonight.”

“We will. Have a safe trip, Mrs. Carpenter.”

She gives me a mama-bear hug. Even though I have double her body mass, I feel the embrace in my bones.

She steps back and looks at Lachlan. “You make sure Jake stays out of trouble, okay?”

Lachlan cracks a smile—a rare sight. “I’ll do my best, Mrs. Carpenter.”

As soon as she’s gone, Lachlan starts. “Are you mental?”

I roll my eyes. “It’ll be fine.”

Ryan steps out of his room looking like a million bucks. His brown hair is sleek and carefully styled like the lawyer in his favorite TV show. No wonder he’s been named the best-dressed NHL player three years in a row and graced the cover of GQ magazine last month.

“Why is Lachy freaking out?” He veers for our state-of-the-art espresso machine.

“Shut yer face. I’m not freaking out.”

“Sure, you aren’t.” Ryan smirks, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief while he waits for his coffee to brew.

“Jake promised Mrs. Carpenter he’d look after her pets while she’s on her trip to Europe.”

Ryan laughs. He’s too laid back to be concerned about a commitmentImade. The only time he’s ever fazed is when we mess with his cooking. “Better him than me.”

“You know he’s going to fuck up, and we’ll have to help.”

“Hey! I’m not going to fuck up anything. Besides, Mrs. Carpenter’s grandson is helping too.”

Now, both Ryan and Lachlan are giving me droll looks.

“You mean that high-all-the-damn-time, good-for-nothing idiot?” Ryan arches an eyebrow. “You’re screwed.”

“No,weare screwed.” Lachlan grabs an apple from the fruit basket and takes a big bite.

Ryan drinks his coffee calmly, then replies. “Speak for yourself. I didn’t commit to anything.”

“No one is screwed, all right? If Mrs. Carpenter’s grandson doesn’t step up, I’ll call one of the pet sitters from the list.”

Ryan stands straighter, mischief shining in his blue eyes. “Can I see that list?”

“Don’t even think about it.”

“The list didn’t come with pictures, Casanova,” Lachlan retorts.

Ryan’s eyes widen innocently. “Jesus, I just wanted to see if I recognize any of the names.”

I put the list in my pocket. “Sure.”

He shrugs. “Fine, hide your list. We all know you’ll end up calling one of those numbers, and I’ll meet the pet sitter anyway.”

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