Page 11 of Puck Me Baby One More Time

It’s a short drive to the bar. We probably could have walked, but Teagan wanted to show us her new purple Jeep. Most rookie athletes spend outrageous amounts of money on an expensive luxury car after they sign their pro contract, but not Teagan and her guys. They stuck to the more durable trucks and, of course, Teagan’s Jeep.

The bar is busier than I expected for a Tuesday night. Luckily, we find a larger high-top table in the back of the room, which seems to be quieter than the rest of the bar.

"Finally, a girls' night out." Teagan signals for the server, ordering four different kinds of appetizers and three ice waters. Ice water for them because they're both in training and ice water for me since I don't drink alcohol.

We make small talk as we wait for our food and drinks to arrive. Gemma gives limited information about herself, so we don't press her for more. Our food and drinks arrive, and instead of diving into the cheeseballs like she normally does, Teagan glances over my shoulder.

“What are you guys doing here?”

I follow Teagan’s gaze, turning my head to look behind me.

Torin, Talen, and Tarek approach our table as stealthy as Teagan was in the arena. They come to a stop, positioning themselves behind me.

“Fin told us about the bar. We thought we'd check it out.” Tarek leans down, grazing my shoulder with his arm as he sets his drink on the table.

His breath caresses my cheek with his answer. I hold back a shiver from his closeness as a flood of moisture destroys my panties. This is a common occurrence now that I’m living and working with my crushes.

It’s supposed to be girls’ night out, but I wouldn’t put it past Fin, Royal, and Coulter to show up, making sure to keep guys away from Teagan. But I never expected Torin, Talen, and Tarek to show up, too.

Before I can finish my thought, Fin, Royal, and Coulter appear behind Teagan like clockwork, each taking turns kissing her cheek. I look away, not wanting to get caught staring at their show of public affection.

I hate that I’m jealous of my best friend's happiness. It must be being so close to my crushes that’s making me testy today. I sigh, wishing I had done things differently that fateful night, but it’s too late now.

“Is everything okay, Britt?”

I jump at the sound of Colt’s voice.

Damn, the whole Hayes family should be trained assassins instead of hockey players. My head swings to Colt, finding him standing behind Gemma, with his two business partners, Mr. Thorson and Mr. James, flanking his sides.

“Everything’s fine,” I squeak out, feeling the heat of Torin’s, Talen’s, and Tarek’s bodies on my back.

Colt wrinkles his brow and inhales sharply, his eyes darting behind Teagan.

“Why do you all smell like Teagan?”

Gemma chokes on the water she was sipping as Tarek says, “I know! Let me answer that one for you.”

“Put your hand down, Tarek, and get your mind out of the gutter,” Torin hisses, and I fight the urge to giggle at their banter.

“What? Uncle Colt asked. I was just trying to be polite and answer him.”

I take a peek at Colt standing behind Gemma. He looks concerned as he watches her regain her normal breathing. My eyes shift to his two business partners, and they both have the same concerned look on their faces.

“Stop worrying about who smells like me.” Teagan slaps at Tarek’s still-up-stretched arm. “We need to find Gemma and Britt some hot guys for the night.”

Our private circle erupts in a chorus of angry growls, and my heart drops when I realize all the guys except Royal, Fin, and Coulter want Gemma. Why else would they all respond to Teagan’s words like that?

I blink back the tears. I knew that this day would come. The day Torin, Talen, and Tarek would find someone who would be a part of our little circle of friends—having to watch as they attend all their hockey games and family functions. I’ll become an outsider, slowly slipping into the background. The worst part is I really like Gemma. I think the two of us could have become great friends.

Of course, all the guys would want Gemma, with her long blonde hair, blue eyes, and curvy body; who wouldn’t want her? And, of course, she will fall for Torin, Talen, or Tarek. Or heaven forbid she falls for all of them as I did. Maybe she will be strong enough to hold on to all of them and not hide behind a mask.

“Whoa, back down. What’s gotten into the six of you?” I follow Teagan’s eyes as they move from Colt to Mr. James to Mr. Thorson to Torin, Talen, and finally Tarek.

“Nothing," one of them replies, but I’m lost in my own little self-pity party to care which one.

I lift my glass of ice water to my lips, trying to rinse the sour taste of jealousy out of my mouth, when Teagan grabs my arm, causing some of the water from the glass to splash out and soak through my top.

"Let's dance." Teagan reaches for Gemma's arm and pulls us both to the dance floor, leaving the guys behind at the table.

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