Page 48 of Heartless Pucker in Love

“Right. Because that makes you look like less of a manwhore.”

“You know what, Jeff? Fuck you. I’m trying to change my image.” I glared at him, which only boosted his amusement. All I could do was sulk because, damn, he was on to something. Why would a sweet, wholesome woman like April trust a man glamorized in the media as a philanderer?

“I know. Hey, don’t take any offense. I was just messing around.”

“Yeah, but you’re right.”

He shrugged. “I know how it is. People see some glamorous snapshots on social media and think they know the real story.”

“Yeah,” I grumbled, ready to get off the topic of my dating history. I was all about one woman now. “Even if April saw me as someone she could trust, she isn’t ready to settle down.”

“How do you know? Have you asked her?”

“No.” I knew the deal, though. Something about her mother trying to brainwash her and her sisters against relationships. Apparently, she had a lot of doubts to work through. But Jeff didn’t need to know the things April shared with me.

Snorting, Jeff shook his head. “Don’t tell me you’re so pussy-whipped that you've lost your good senses, Grayson. That’s something you discuss with the woman you’re dating.”

I blew out a breath. Why bother to remind him that April and I weren’t dating? Well, we were in my eyes. Maybe I should man up, tell her what I wanted from our relationship, then ask her what she wanted. Then again, I didn’t want to scare her off.

“You kids nowadays,” Jeff grumbled, shaking his head with disappointment. “You don’t communicate.”

I snorted. April and I communicated plenty. In the last few weeks, I had opened up to her more than I had with anyone else. She shared a lot with me too. However, we both kept shying away from discussing what exactly we were doing together. “Kids? You’re a measly eight years older than I am. You’re talking like you’re a grandpa.”

Groaning, he rolled his right shoulder and winced. “I feel like a grandpa after these practices. It’s definitely time for me to hang up my ice skates. This is my last year doing this shit. I love the game, but it’s starting to be a real bitch to me.”

Chuckling, I eyed the poor bastard with sympathy. The game even took a toll on guys much younger. Sometimes after a game, I felt like I was in a boxing ring rather than in an ice rink. I even suffered about two concussions last season. “Yeah, I think…” I almost blurted out that I was thinking of retiring too but stopped myself. I wasn’t quite sure yet so I should keep it to myself. “I think you put in enough years, old man,” I said instead.

Jeff bellowed. “I’ve made enough money to sit at home and take up knitting or whatever retired folks do.”

Picturing burly Jeff knitting made me snicker. “Yeah, okay, grandma. I’ll get you a rocking chair as a retirement gift.”

Jeff roared, taking the teasing good-naturedly. He clapped me on the shoulder. “I’ll see you later, Grayson.”

* * *

My conversation with Jeff, especially his questions, played in my mind for days. He’d asked how I knew if April wasn’t up for something serious with me. Every moment I spent with her, I was tempted to ask her if she wanted something more. Of course, I chickened out every time. Because my mind was completely consumed by all things April, I was crashing and burning big time for the season’s opening game. In fact, I was doing so horribly that I was currently sprawled on a bed in the medical room.

Blinking, the darkness that had engulfed me cleared and the face of an angel came into view. A very worried angel it seemed. I groaned and tried to smile but it probably looked more like a grimace. “Damn, if I’m going to wake up to your lovely face, I should get knocked out cold more often.”

April sighed. “I can’t believe you're joking around at a time like this.” Her lovely features were creased with lines of worry. “You’re crazy.”

“Crazy about you,” I said under my breath. I wasn’t sure if she heard me. Exhaling long and deep, I tried to sit up but she planted a hand on my chest.

“No, don’t get up.”

That was good advice because the room was spinning. I flopped back down. “This isn’t how I hoped to start the season.” Talk about humiliating. April fussing over me was a plus, though. She placed her soft palm on my forehead and brushed away a lock of my hair, then she palmed my cheek, her eyes searching my face. “How do you feel? Does your head hurt?”

I shamelessly basked in her touch and her attention. “It hurts. Perhaps if I got to lay my head on your perfect bosom for a minute, I'd feel much better.” I rolled towards the mentioned perfect bosom and April socked me on the arm. “Ouch, woman, I’ve taken enough hits today.”

“Yet, your concern is to get near my bosom. You’re such a...guy.”

My lips twisted into a sheepish smile. “How about a kiss then?”

“Julian.”

Sighing, I abandoned my efforts...for the time being.

“Your mother and Andy are watching the game. She called, worried about you. I guess I can tell them that you're just fine since you’re back to flirting and trying to cop a feel of my tits,” she said with disgust as she tapped out something on her phone.

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