Page 40 of Three Pucking Wedding Dates

“Sorry, ladies, but you’re not allowed in here during practice.”

“Come on, we just want to watch our friends,” I protest, trying to sound more confident than I feel.

“Rules are rules,” he says gruffly, his expression unyielding. “No one’s allowed in without proper authorization.”

“Proper authorization?” Iris scoffs, her curly red hair bouncing as she puts her hands on her hips. “Gray, Reid, and Theo are my brothers…the three best members of the team? Go and ask them.”

The security guard hesitates, seeming to consider Iris’s words before shaking his head. “So you can sneak in while I’m gone? Nice try, but I can’t let you in. Now please leave before I have to call for backup.”

“Fine,” I mutter, shooting him a glare that would’ve made my wicked stepmother proud. Iris’s eyes narrow as her plan to get past him crumbles, but my determination only grows stronger. I’m not about to let some stubborn guy ruin our plans.

Turning away from the guard, I lean toward my friends and whisper, “Follow me.”

We walk a few steps before I spot our alternative route. The door to the locker room is slightly ajar, and I can hear the distant sound of showers running. Smirking, I lead Avery and Iris toward the entrance, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves.

“Oakley, are you sure about this?” Avery asks, her blue eyes filled with concern. “What if we get caught?”

“Relax,” I reply, trying to sound more confident than I feel. “We’ll just be quick.”

I don’t give them a chance to answer, pushing open the door and slipping inside. The warmth of the locker room washes over us, and the scent of soap and sweat fills the air. Rows of lockers line the walls, and the floor is slick with water from the nearby showers.

“Okay, girls,” I say, my voice low and determined. “One of these doors leads straight to the seats.”

Avery bites her lip, looking around nervously, but Iris grins at me. “You sure do know how to keep things interesting, Oakley.”

“Never a dull moment,” I agree, flashing her a playful smile.

“Which one’s Theo’s locker?” Avery whispers, her excitement barely contained.

“I wouldn’t know,” I admit. “It’s my first time actually being in here.”

Iris frowns. “Then, how did?—”

“Long story,” I cut her off, biting my bottom lip as I think about the little fight that happened yesterday. “Why are you so infatuated with Theo anyways?”

“Who wouldn’t be?” Avery smirks. “You seem to have a lot of opinions about him. Do the two of you have some kind of history?”

“History” is a strong word for what Theo and I have—or don’t have. I lean against a nearby bench, feeling my cheeks flush slightly.Yeah, he took my virginity on my eighteenth birthday.Iris would kill me if she ever finds out that I’ve now slept with all three of her brothers. “We used to be close, that’s all. Back when he had a soft side.”

“Soft?” Avery repeats. “I knew it!”

“He’s not soft anymore, trust me.”

Avery fidgets with her ponytail, a sign that she’s nervous, before finally speaking up.

“Oakley, do you have any…feelings for Theo?” she asks hesitantly, her blue eyes searching mine for any hint of emotion.

I shake my head, surprised by her question but determined to set things straight. “No, not at all. If you want him then go for it.”

“Good! I’m a huge believer in girl code, and I wouldn’t want to step on your toes. We’re friends now, right?”

Even though I just met her today, and the thought of anything between her and Theo leaves a sour taste in my mouth, being friends with her actually is a pleasant thought to me. I smile and nod. “Yeah. Friends.”

Avery smiles, visibly relieved. “Great! Now, let’s get out of this locker room and see what our boys are up to.”

As we approach the door on the other side, I can already hear the distant sound of skates slicing through ice and the faint echo of the coach’s barked instructions.

I grip the handle and swing the door open, and the three of us step forward.

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