Page 14 of One Pucking Wish

“Now, Dreven.”

With a sigh, I pull the leather wallet from my back pocket and place it in her hand. Without another word, she heads over to the table where the douche and his buddies sit.

Penny is in full boss-lady mode as she talks to the guys. I’ve seen her like this a million times, yet I can’t pull my eyes from her. It’s fascinating, and a side of her never directed toward me. She stands tall and, despite looking like she was in a bar fight herself with her haphazard appearance, wears a confident elegance that only she could pull off. She moves her hands as she talks and smiles at the piece of shit with the red cheek. To be fair, that was barely a punch. I held back—a lot. If I’d truly been out of control, he wouldn’t be sitting there staring at her with a goofy-as-hell grin. He deserved much worse.

She touches his arm with her perfectly manicured nails, and his smile grows. He bobs his head like a child who’s just been asked if he wants to go to Disney. Penny laughs, and while it appears completely natural, I know her well enough to see it’s all for show. However, the Canuck buys the charade hook, line, and sinker.

God, I hate him. Just the thought of his existence makes my blood boil. I hate how he’s looking at Penny as if he didn’t just violate her with his words. What a piece of shit. I want to punch him again, and this time harder. I should, too.

Frank places a glass of ice water in front of me. “Drink this.”

“I’m not drunk,” I spit out.

“Still. Drink it. You look like you’re about to cause more trouble. Your scowl resembles a wolverine gearing up for an attack.”

“Does it?” I scoff. “Seen many wolverines preparing to fight, have ya, Frank?”

“Look, big guy. I just want to go home and help my wife prepare for the storm, eh? Let’s all play nice.”

I turn away from Penny and take a chug of the water. “I’m not going to cause any more problems.”

“Good.” Frank bobs his chin, picks up the rag, and wipes the bar top.

Taking another sip of water, I throw a glance over my shoulder to see Penny typing something into her phone. The dumbass hockey fan grins at some money in his hand, American bills.

Great.

Releasing a sigh, I turn away and finish the glass of water. After a moment, Penny walks up beside me and drops my wallet on the counter.

“And?” I scowl.

“Two hundred dollars and box seats at a future Canucks game, one against someone other than us. Let’s go.”

“Two hundred of my dollars?”

She ignores my question and addresses Frank. “Thanks for your understanding, Frank. We really appreciate it. You and your family stay safe.”

“Thank you, miss,” he says before furrowing his brows. “Your plane left, eh?”

“Yeah. We’ll get a couple of hotel rooms and fly out tomorrow.”

Frank presses his lips together and scrunches his nose up before he releases a sigh. “I don’t know if either of those will be an option.”

“What do you mean?” she asks.

“Well, most of the folks in for the game have already snatched up any available hotel rooms, given the fact that no one’s traveling tonight. We also had a couple of musical events in the city today, so I’d say we’re at capacity. From what I hear, everything’s booked up, and this storm is expected to continue through tomorrow. I’d be surprised if any flights leave tomorrow either.”

Penny opens her mouth to speak as all the color drains from her face. She closes her mouth and stares at Frank. It’s rare when this woman doesn’t know what to say.

“I doubt that’s true. I guarantee there are two rooms up for grabs in this city,” I chime in.

Frank shrugs. “I’d call around before you head back out there. Don’t want to be caught out in that weather.”

Penny and I search for accommodations on our phones. A common goal at hand, we split up the list of hotels in the city and start calling. It’s all for not because Frank is correct. The city is full. We’ve called every establishment, from the one-star motels outside of town up to the five-star places. There is literally nothing.

The wind whips around outside, making an eerie sound while the bar’s lights flicker. We’re the only ones left in the joint save for Frank, who is kindly staying here for us. Douche boy and his crew headed out somewhere in the midst of our three-star hotel calls. Penny taps her thumb against the bar top and stares off as if in a trance. I can almost hear the wheels turning in her head as she tries to come up with a solution. It’s rare that she doesn’t have the answer. As annoying as it is, she always does.

I’ve put us in uncharted territory, a predicament that even little Miss Perfect Penelope Stellars can’t talk us out of. An unfamiliar sensation fills my chest, and if I have to guess, I’d say it’s something close to remorse.

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