Page 76 of Puck Prince

Right in the middle of the bar, in the middle of it all, is Callie.

She’s at the bar top, sipping on a soda, with a burger and fries in front of her. She’s talking and laughing, surrounded by people.

“People,” meaning most of the Houston Scythes.

I was upstairs wondering where she was and concerned about whether she was okay. Meanwhile, she was down here with my teammates partying it up.

As if she forgot we are here for hockey.

As if she forgot we have a job to do.

As if she forgot she is supposed to be my girlfriend.

“Can I get you something?” A cute, brunette waitress appears next to me, a tray in her hands.

“I, uh…” I look around.

“We are kind of a full house tonight,” she says. “If you can squeeze in at the bar, go for it. But I can grab you a drink, either way.”

Squeeze in at the bar.Right. Like the way the team is squeezed around Callie right now?

“What do you have on draft?” I ask, my eyes still glued to Callie. Everyone is taking turns bantering with her. She almost can’t respond fast enough. Someone says something, and she laughs.

I’ve never seen her laugh like that with me.

Am Ijealousright now?

“I can get you a beer list if you’d like. We have twelve?—”

“Just bring me a Coors, please.” I don’t mean to be rude, but something about watching Callie with the guys—not a care in the world—has me a little unhinged.

A moment later, the waitress brings me my beer, and I down half of it while standing at a high top in the corner. Dax steps away to go to the bathroom and suddenly, there’s an empty seat.

I should go over there. I should sit next to her and remind everyone, including Callie, what we are to each other.

But then some guy with a White Strip smile andSaved By the Bellhair spins the stool before plopping down next to her. He immediately leans towards her, and I immediately take a few steps closer.

He talks; she smiles. He leans in more; she takes a sip of her soda.

Then he puts his arm around her, his hand finding its way to the small of her back and then lower.

I think I black out. Because two seconds later, I’m spinning Callie around, yanking her to her feet, and hauling her against me.

“Can I help you?” the guy asks. Everyone else seems to be suddenly very interested in their phones or the bottom of their beer glasses.

“You can back away from my girlfriend,” I growl.

“Calm down, Owen. I don’t need—” Callie starts, but I’m not entertaining it.

“You need to come with me.”

“Somebody is a little territorial,” the guy chuckles. “Maybe you should let the lady make her own decisions.”

I look at Callie. It’s a very mature move on my part because, if I look at him, I’m going to deck him. Considering the blood pumping through my veins, I’m being very responsible. We absolutely don’t need more bad press right now.

Instead, I take Callie by the hand and drag her out of the bar.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she demands as soon as we round the corner to the elevator.

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