Page 3 of Pucking Vacation

Skyler held up her hands, as if in surrender. “All right, all right…I just don’t want you limiting your pool of suitors because of your weird prejudices against hockey.”

“They’re not weird,” I grumble. “If you’d grown up with Carson as your twin brother, you’d probably hate hockey, too.”

Skyler rolls her eyes playfully. "Fine, fine, I get it. I’m just saying, you’re looking for a good time, so you shouldn’t shoot down a hot guy who wants to bang you into next week just because he can skate and hit something with a stick."

I nod, conceding her point. "Okay, fine. I'll keep an open mind this week, but let's get one thing straight — this is just a fling. I'm not looking for anything serious or long-term."

Skyler grins devilishly. "Got it. Just a casual, fun time in Miami with a hot stranger. I can get behind that plan. I’ll wingman for you!"

“Perfect,” I reply, pushing back to my feet. “Now, come on. Get your swimsuit on so we can get down to the pool. I’m not going to find my hot guy fling in here.”

“You got it, boss!” Skyler exclaims, standing as well. “Operation Lost V-Card is underway!”

“Grace is losing her V-card?” Rylee cries out in excitement, rushing out of the bathroom with just her bikini bottoms on.

“I want to help!” Sutton follows close behind, though she’s thankfully fully dressed in her suit.

I groan and drop my head into my hand in exasperation. I need to start drinking, right the hell now.

Chapter Two

LUST AT FIRST SIGHT

JENSEN

The hot Florida sun beats down on the crowded pool area, cooking the bodies standing around or splashing in the pool without mercy. Not that anyone present is sober enough to care. I take a sip of my beer, set my bottle down, stretch my arms over my head, and relax against my lounge chair with a yawn.

“Hey, none of that,” Tyler says. “We're on vacation. Be excited.”

I glance over at the lounge chair next to mine, where my hulking brother is sprawled out. He's not looking at me, and for all I know, he's falling asleep behind those dark sunglasses of his.

“Vacation can mean resting,” I insist. “You could actually use a nap. You've been a grumpy asshole since we got here.”

Tyler turns his head and looks at me. I tilt my sunglasses down to stare back at him. My brother and I could be twins, with our dark shaggy hair and blue eyes, except he’s three years older and built like a truck. I’m not little by any means, but Tyler is a behemoth, his 6’4” height overwhelming my 6 foot even. It’s fine, though. I’m fine with not being quite the giant he is. I don’t have to hold the defensive line for the Boulder Wildcats, after all.

With a huff, Tyler lets his head fall back onto the cushions of his chair and says, “Yeah, I know. Sorry. Just stressed. There have been rumors of trade negotiations…”

“Dude, relax,” I sigh. “You had a killer first year. They’re not going to trade you. It’s going to be some other rookie. Now, come on. We haven’t seen each other in months. We’re supposed to be having fun and chilling. Okay?”

“Yeah, all right,” he grumbles.

“Besides.” I grin. “I thought your biggest concern was getting recognized and having the whole trip ruined. Doesn’t seem like that’s been a problem so far.”

He scoffs. “I’m going to be recognized way more than you when you go pro. Way more football fans than hockey fans in the world.”

I roll my eyes. “Right. You keep on thinking that.”

At that moment, two girls in skimpy bikinis walk by and eye us up and down. One of them gives me a wink and a little finger wave. I respond with a half-smile and chin jerk, but that’s it. I let her continue right on by.

“What was wrong with her?” Tyler asks, once the girls are out of earshot.

“What do you mean?”

He sits up and swings his feet around so he’s facing me fully.

“That girl was clearly flirting with you,” he says. “And she was hot, but you didn’t even look twice at her. What’s wrong with you?”

“Why are you getting on my ass about this?” I demand to know before shrugging. “Yeah, she was hot, but so what? Look around, dude. There are tons of hot girls here. What about that one girl stands out?”

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