Page 33 of Pucking Only

“But,” I sigh. “I think we’re better off as friends than anything else. He’s too much of a buddy now.”

“Is it because your hook-ups have never been given the option to be your friends that you are now classifying Zander in the friend zone?” Grace asks with a slight frown. “I'm honestly not sure why you're so against relationships.”

Because being in a relationship means being vulnerable to someone - really vulnerable - and that only opens me up to getting hurt. I don’t say that, though. I can’t confess that her brother broke my heart and humiliated me so badly that I’ve refused to give anyone the chance to do so since.

Instead, I shrug and say, “It’s not that. I just don’t have time for relationships, and with Zander, well…it’d be like making out with you.”

“As if you’d be so lucky,” she giggles.

I waggle my eyebrows. “I could easily seduce you away from Jensen if I wanted.”

Grace lets out a bark of laughter.

“Oh, well, it’s good you’ve figured that out early,” she says. I narrow my eyes and study her more closely when I notice the corners of her mouth twitching, as if she’s holding back a grin. She also seems to visibly relax, her shoulders sagging slightly as if in relief.

“You seem strangely pleased that I’m not interested in Zander romantically,” I accuse, suspicion brewing within me. “Why would that be?”

“What?” Grace exclaims a little too loudly. She reaches up to play with her hair, but she seems to have forgotten it's up in a bun. She’s had that little tell since we were kids…she always plays with her hair when she’s nervous. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just glad you know where your head's at, that’s all. I’d hate for you to get involved in something that doesn’t end up working out.”

I’m not buying it. Something’s going on in that sneaky little brain of hers.

“Grace,” I say, drawing out her name. “You’re holding something back. I can tell.”

“No, really,” she insists. “I just want you to be happy. Plus, I know this will make Carson unclench his buttcheeks because he won’t have to obsess over you and one of his teammates hooking up.”

At the mention of Carson, my cheeks immediately flush and my mind is filled with memories from our kiss in the alley. The feel of his hands on me… his lips moving over mine… the heat that rushed through my body and made me melt for him.

Jesus Christ, what is wrong with me? I can’t have these thoughts about Carson! Especially not when I’m sitting right next to his sister, my best friend!

“You okay, Sky?” Grace asks, her brow furrowed in concern as she looks at me. “Your cheeks got really red all of a sudden.”

“Oh, uh, you know… the wine,” I reply.

“I’ve been with you when you drink wine,” she presses. “You’re never like this, Sky. Something else is going on. What’s up?”

I feel a spike of panic as I try to think of some excuse to give. I am saved when her phone starts buzzing on the coffee table. Relief washes over me.

“Oh, what’s that?” I say, trying to come up with some joke to distract her further from me and my red cheeks. “I thought it was girl’s night, but you’re going to ditch me for a viral emergency?”

Ew…that sucked. Not at all in line with my usual caliber of zingers.

Thankfully, Grace doesn’t seem to notice as she picks up her phone and breaks into a wide smile.

“It’s my mom!” she exclaims. Oh, yes, that would explain the huge smile. Grace and her mom have always been close. I’d be envious of their tight bond if Mrs. Monroe hadn’t also made the effort my whole life to build a bond with me as well. Grace answers the call and puts it on speaker. “Hey, mama. I’ve got you on speaker. Skyler’s here!”

“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Mrs. Monroe’s cheery voice filters into the room, wrapping around me like a fuzzy blanket. “Hello, Skyler dear! Grace had told me you were going to be visiting her. I’m so glad you’re there!”

“Hi Mrs. Monroe!” I reply, grateful for the well-timed interruption so I don’t have to keep dancing around the subject of Carson and my complicated feelings for him. “I’m glad I’m here too! I’ve missed Grace so much.”

“Well, I miss you both,” she says. “How are things, Skyler? Are you still working for that gaming company in California?”

“I am,” I nod. “That’s why I’m here, actually. I’m working on a hockey game and thought I’d come out and get some first-hand knowledge from the Night Hawks.”

“Mom, I told you all that,” Grace pipes in with a loving yet exasperated huff of breath. “She’s working with Jensen and Carson and the team for her game.”

“Oh, yes, yes,” Mrs. Monroe says. “That’s right, you did tell me. Sorry about that, Skyler. It’s the pits getting older. Information doesn’t stick quite as well as it used to.”

I chuckle. “No worries, Mrs. Monroe.”

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