Page 99 of A Major Puck Up

She shrugs. “I don’t know about people, but I am. So spill. When did you start doing the nasty?” She holds the door open wide.

This time she doesn’t just get a giggle from me. It’s a full-blown belly laugh. “Is this how you talk to everyone?”

Brows arched, she nods, serious. “Yes, so spill.”

“I barely know you. Five minutes ago, I was trying to decide whether you were a serial killer or a harmless delusional person.”

She shrugs, a big smile on her face, and leads me toward the elevator. “Jury’s still out. Now tell me, is he pierced? His brother is, and let me tell you, my friend is very satisfied.”

“Wait.” I gape as she presses the call button. “Brooks Langfield is pierced?”

“Oh, was I not supposed to tell people that?” She taps a finger against her pink lips. She’s like a life-size Barbie, all bright pink and bubbly. “Hmm, probably not. Brooks is pretty quiet, but Sara is a blabbermouth. You’ll love her. Just you wait and see.” She clutches my arm, and her eyes go wide. “But don’t tell her I’m living in her apartment.”

I snort as the elevator door slides open and she pushes me inside. “How does she not know?”

“She gave me a key to use one night when I was visiting, and I sorta just stayed.”

Situating the stroller to one side of the small space, I side-eye her. “When was that?”

She bites her lip. “A month ago.”

Head tipped back, I laugh. I haven’t laughed this much in months. “But why?”

When the door opens on the ground floor, she peeks her head out and scans the lobby. “All clear.”

“Who are you hiding from?”

“Sara!” she hisses, exasperated.

I scoff, even as I’m smiling. “I thought she was your best friend.”

“She is, but she’ll be all Lennox, you need to grow up. Get a real job and stand up to your family.”

“Oh, I get that. My friends are judgmental too.” Just the thought of Chrishell and Taylor sends a bitter chill rolling through me that has me tugging my jacket tighter. I haven’t thought of them since I got on the plane on New Year’s and blocked their numbers. And good fucking riddance.

Lennox turns around and gives me a far too knowing frown. “That came out wrong. Sara really is the best. She’d be right to yell at me. I do need to grow up and stand up to my family. Just need a few more days—or weeks—to lick my wounds.” She stares at me for another beat, then she spins and heads to the door.

Outside, I adjust Vivi’s hat, pull her blanket up to her chin, and adjust the canopy of her seat to block the cool wind. April in Boston is still chilly, but the sun is out, and the breeze is mild. “Where to?”

She shrugs. “I’ve barely left the apartment—too afraid to be caught. You know where to get good coffee around here?”

I pull out my phone. “I just moved here, so Google it is.”

We find a spot and head down the street, following the map on my phone.

“So Hockey Daddy?” she teases.

“Wow.” I grip the stroller and shake my head. “You’re like a dog with a bone.”

“I could take my guesses, but if I do, you might blush.” One eyebrow lifted, she smirks.

“No, please, have at it.”

She rubs her hands together in glee. “Fine. If I had to guess, you’ve done just about everything with him, and it’s not new.”

I blow out a breath to combat the tightness in my chest. “It’s definitely not new. In fact, it’s so old it’s over.”

“No it’s not.” Her smile is kind. “It may feel that way, but I’ve known Gavin most of my life.” She pulls the coffeeshop door open and holds it for me. “He’s wildly protective of his brothers, so I can only imagine he’d be far more so with his daughter. So if he’s allowing you to take care of her, to move in and be alone with her, then I promise, it’s not over.”

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