Page 66 of These Pucking Boys

“I’m surprised you want to eat. Don’t you have a party after the game?” she asks.

“Yes. So?”

She shakes her head. “Ugh. I forget that you’re still in your twenties. If I eat any of the crap they sell here, I blow up like a balloon.”

“I’ll just grab some gummy bears and a water bottle.”

“June, if you’re hungry, eat.”

“I’m not hungry, just nervous.”

“About the party?”

I nod. “I have no idea what to expect, and if I do something stupid, Jake will suffer.”

“He’s a big boy. I’m sure he’ll be fine. Besides, you won’t do anything stupid. What are you going to wear?”

“It’s cocktail attire, so I thought about that emerald-green dress I wore to the Christmas party last year.”

“You look so good in that dress. That poor boy won’t know what hit him.”

“I’m pretty sure he’s had his fair share of gorgeous women by his side.”

“And none of them were June motherfucking Summers.”

I smirk. “Did you just use thePretty Womanline on me?”

“You know it.” She laces her arm with mine. “Come on. Let’s get you the gummies so we can watch some eye candy.”

CHAPTER 27

JAKE

Isaw June during warm-ups, but I couldn’t bring myself to acknowledge her. I had to remain focused. I’ve never had a problem getting in the zone before. I’ve had hookups come to see me play, but they were never on my radar while I was on the ice. It was different with June. I was too aware of her presence.

Winning tonight was a must. Not only did I want to impress June, but I couldn’t lose to the New York Bobcats while my father was in attendance. All the checks, hits, fights, and one swollen-shut eye were worth it. We won.

On the way home, I keep an ice bag over my eye. My right shoulder is sore, but the team physician cleared me. Everything is intact and in the right place.

“How’s yer eye, mate?” Lachy asks from the shotgun seat. I’m riding in the back.

“All right. I’ve had worse.”

“That Bobcat punk did get his worst tonight.” Ryan laughs. “I’ve never seen a guy turtle up so fast.”

“What did you expect from that bawbag? He’s been running his mouth and picking fights since the start of the season. It was about time someone taught him a lesson.”

I flex my right hand. My knuckles are a little rough after the fight. That douchebag caught me by surprise while the ref was between us. I didn’t let him touch me after. My gloves came off, and the game turned into a massive brawl, with players from both teams joining the fight. In the heat of the moment, I didn’t think. Now I worry I might have scared June.

“The charity event tonight will be interesting,” Ryan pipes up.

My stomach sours. The last thing I want to do tonight is play nice with a bunch of phonies and deal with my father. I’d much rather take June to a nice restaurant and enjoy her company.

Whoa. Where did that thought come from? I told Melissa the other day I wasn’t interested in dating June.

“No. It’ll be a nightmare,” I grumble.

“You’re in a bad mood. Maybe you shouldn’t take June,” Lachy replies.

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