Page 1 of Puck Me Baby One More Time

Prologue

Britt

“You look amazing, Britt! I never would’ve guessed that was you under that mask and blonde wig.” My best friend Teagan playfully grabs my hand and twirls me around like a ballet dancer, taking in my plaid skirt, white buttoned-up blouse, and black knee-high socks. “You look like the perfect schoolgirl, just like Brittney Spears in her music video. I can’t believe I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“That was kind of the point,” I mumble, willing my nerves to calm down and my stomach to settle after the room stops spinning from the way she twirled me around in a circle.

This isn’t me. I don’t dress sexy, ever, but since my boyfriend broke up with me a few months ago, I’ve felt lost. I don’t miss him, but I feel like I was missing out on something I didn’t realize I needed from our relationship.

“What are you doing here? You texted me and said you had a headache and that you weren’t coming.” The concern on her face makes me feel bad. I hate lying to my best friend. “I already told my parents and brothers you weren’t going to make it this year.”

“It, um, got better.” The lie tastes bitter on my tongue, but I can’t tell her the truth.

Tonight, I’m on a mission. I’m a Halloween baby, and even though this isn’t my favorite holiday, it’s Teagan’s family’s favorite holiday. They have an annual Halloween party, and Teagan’s mom always makes a special birthday cake for her second daughter, as she calls me.

“Mom and Dad are going to be so thrilled that you made it!” Teagan’s genuine happiness at having me at the party makes this next part a little harder to say.

“Can you keep it a secret? I'm still not feeling very well, so I’m not sure how long I’m going to stay.” It’s partly true because once I carry out what I came here to do, I’ll be leaving.

Teagan's eyes bore into mine like she’s waiting for me to crack. I straighten up, throw my shoulders back, and give her my best stare. She finally concedes, “Okay, I won’t say anything to anyone about you being here tonight.”

“Thanks.” I blow out a sigh of relief. I’m not sure how Teagan recognized me with my Halloween costume on. I’d spent hours applying makeup and getting the wig on correctly. I’m even wearing my contacts instead of my glasses behind the eye mask tonight. It must have been because I used the back door like I always do when I go to her house, instead of the front door like the rest of the guests.

I wasn’t ready to face my targets for the night just yet, so I thought I would sneak in through the backdoor. Unfortunately, Teagan had to take that moment to be in the kitchen. I guess it could have been worse; one of her triplet brothers could have caught me.

“Mom made you a birthday cake.” Teagan lifts the lid on the plastic cake plate, revealing a pink and purple princess cake. “I guess she still thinks we’re six years old.” Teagan smirks, swiping her finger across the pink buttercream icing on the cake before licking it off her finger. “Delicious.”

“What are you doing in the kitchen anyway? Shouldn’t you be fighting off one of the numerous puckheads that are always trying to get in your pants?”

I know I’ve hit the mark by the sour look on her face, “Jeff is here tonight acting like he’s my boyfriend. He can’t seem to take no for an answer. I thought I would hide out in the kitchen for a while.”

She shrugs like it’s no big deal, but I’ve known Teagan for as long as I can remember, and I know it bothers her when these want-to-be hockey players try to hook up with her just because of her family connections.

“Hey babe, are you in there?” Teagan wrinkles her nose at the sound of Jeff’s voice coming from the other side of the kitchen door. She gently sets the cake lid back on its base. Then, placing a finger to her lips, she grabs my arm and pulls me into the pantry. Leaving the door open a crack, she peers into the kitchen, assessing the situation.

By the look on her face, she doesn’t want to be found by the latest amateur hockey player who wants to hook up with the daughter of Teddy Hayes, the GOAT of modern-day hockey. It’s been a curse for Teagan since she first started dating.

After a few seconds, Teagan gives me the "all clear" sign, and we leave the pantry.

“I’ve got to get out of here. Maybe change into a different costume. Something no one would suspect I’d be wearing.” She strums her index finger on the tip of her nose. “I’ve got it. I’ll dress like a male hockey player. I think Tarek has an old mustache up in the attic from when we were kids. From the year he went as a ’70s porn star for Halloween.”

“I forgot all about that,” I giggle. “How old was he?” Teagan’s mom was so mad at Tarek for dressing up like that she made him rake leaves for all the neighbors he scandalized with his portrayal. The best part is that he wore that mustache while raking their yards.

“He must have been fourteen at the time because mom almost pulled him from starting on the varsity team, and he was so excited to be starting on the varsity squad his freshman year in high school.”

I remember that night like it was yesterday. Teagan and I watched from the shadows while he walked through the house, greeting each one of their female guests with some cheesy pick-up line. He knew we were watching him, so after each line, he would pull up the collar on his shirt and wink at us with a sexy little smirk on his lips.

I think it was my favorite Halloween party ever, watching him strut around the house in his way-too-tight polyester pants, with an impressive bulge in the front that any porn star would be envious of, and a white long-sleeved shirt, with the buttons undone almost to his belly button, as the numerous gold chains tangled around his neck he borrowed from his mother’s jewelry box.

“Do you want to come upstairs and help me look?”

“Actually, I’m going to check out the party for a little bit.” Any other time, I would gladly help Teagan, but tonight, I’m on a mission. “Before my headache returns,” I add, hoping to throw her off my trail if she can’t find me later.

“Suit yourself, but my brothers are in rare form tonight. Tarek talked them all into wearing matching cowboy outfits.” I raise my eyebrows at her. They never dress alike. Not even for Halloween. The only matching thing they wear is their hockey uniforms. “I know, but Tarek paid the DJ to play that song about saving a horse and riding a cowboy. They have a whole dance routine and everything.”

“Your mom is going to freak out.” I can’t wait to see if they actually follow through with it. Torin and Talen are a little more subdued than Tarek, but he’s been known to get them to do some pretty crazy things in the past.

“I’m going to go change. I’ll talk to you later.” Teagan hugs me before bounding up the back staircase.

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