Page 6 of These Pucking Boys

“Oh shit,” the guy sitting next to me blurts out, reminding me that thousands of people are watching my humiliation live.

Then, the background music in the arena returns and the crowd shifts, but it seems it’s all happening from a distance.

“Who is she?” I manage to ask, but it comes out weak, almost vapor.

“It doesn’t ma?—”

“Tell me who she is, Bill. I deserve to know.” I force the words out through my choked throat.

“It’s Danika.”

Tears well up in my eyes, and the growing weight in my chest makes it hard to breathe. Just when I thought the blow couldn’t hit any harder, Bill drops this bomb on me. Danika… one of my closest friends.

Nausea hits me, and I jump out of my seat as if electrocuted. I won’t add puking in public to the list of my humiliations. I don’t know how I manage to exit my row as fast as I do, but once I hit the steps, I don’t look back. I wish a black hole would open underneath my feet and swallow me. But since that isn’t happening, I skip the line and settle for disappearing into a bathroom stall. People complain, but when they hear me emptying my guts, I don’t hear another peep aimed at me.

As I hurl and cry simultaneously, I think back on my life with Bill and my friendship with Danika. Were there signs that he was cheating on me with my friend, or was I that fucking oblivious? She was my roommate in college, and like most of my friends, she didn’t like to hang out with me when Bill was around. Maybe she was already screwing him back then. God, I feel so stupid.

With shaking hands, I grab my phone and send her a text.

How could you?

She reads the message, but leaves me on read. Bitch.

Katrina calls me, and I just stare at the phone. Oh God. She must have seen my epic fail on TV, and now she’s checking on me. But I can’t deal with her. I just want to curl into a ball and never leave this bathroom.

CHAPTER 4

LACHLAN

I’m sitting in my usual corner in the locker room, replaying the first period of the game in my head, when Melissa Sanders, the VP of Media Relations, strides in my direction.

Shit.

My spine goes rigid. I know that gleam of determination in her eyes. She wants me to give a quick interview.

“Lachlan, I nee—” she starts.

“No, no way.”

Glowering, she puts her hands on her hips. “Yes way. It isn’t negotiable. Tammy has been begging to interview you since last season, and I owe her a favor. Don’t make me look bad.”

I open my mouth to retort, but Jake beats me to the punch. “Lachy will be there, Melissa. I’ll make sure of it.” He squeezes my shoulder, his subtle way of telling me to follow along. He’s using his team-captain card. I glare at his profile but know better than to argue.

“Good. Be out in five minutes.” She turns on her heels and walks away.

“I hate you,” I tell Jake.

He laughs. “No, you don’t.”

“Why is Lachy giving you his death stare?” Ryan asks.

“Melissa wants him to give a quick interview for Tammy Reynolds.”

Ryan’s brows arch. “Ah, that explains his sour puss.”

“I’m sitting right here, you bloody eejits.” I remind them.

“Can you repeat that?” Ryan leans forward. “I can hardly understand you with that thick Scottish accent.”

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