Page 14 of Puck Princess

Have you talked to Summer?

Are you with her?

I know you’re upset, but please call me.

By the time I’m getting in my car, I just spit it out.

She’s in trouble. Go to Pour Boys.

Summer is with Miles.

5

CALLIE

I don’t know what Kennedy was talking about, but Pour Boys is bursting at the seams. After a game like tonight’s, the place is crawling with every kind of person—fans, athletes, girls who like athletes, guys who like girls who like athletes. I’m a little relieved Kennedy decided to leave when she did. The booze is flowing by the pitcher and it’s getting rowdier by the second.

The bouncer lets me in despite the bar being well above capacity. The perks of being a young, single woman on the bar scene.

I step inside and immediately start scanning the sea of intoxicated people for Summer. But between the average height of most hockey players being two heads taller than me and the dim lighting, it’s impossible. I can’t see a thing.

“Callie!” I hear a familiar voice coming through the crowd, and I swim towards it.

I don’t care what Kennedy says—I’ve never been happier to see Lance.

I grab the front of his shirt. “Hey, have you seen?—”

“Have you seen Kennedy?” he interrupts.

“She’s at home. She left.” I answer, still tracing back and forth over the room. “Have you seen?—”

“She left?” he yells over the music.

“Yeah. She grabbed some appetizers and went home. But hey, I’m looking for?—”

“Seriously?” He shakes his head. “I swear to God, Callie. Your cousin is something else.”

I’m on the verge of asking him what’s going on between them. This is the first time we’ve ever had a chance to dive into it, and I really want to know.

Bigger fish to fry and all that.

But before I can get back on task, Lance curses under his breath. “She told me she was going to the bathroom and that I should order some appetizers to-go. She said we’d ditch this cesspool and talk over some buffalo chicken rolls.”

I can’t hide the grimace on my face. “I think she dined and dashed, Lance.”

He shoves his hands in his pockets, and I feel for the guy. But I’ll feel for him later. Right now, I’m on a mission.

“Listen, I don’t mean to be rude but?—”

“Callie!” More familiar faces separate themselves from the rabble. This time, it’s Heath and Lachlan headed our way, beers in hand.

“Long time no see. We miss you around the arena.” Lachlan squeezes my arm in a friendly gesture.

“Yeah. Thanks.” I try to smile, but seriously, this is not why I came here.

“Why did you leave?” Heath chimes in, his words slurring together like spoken cursive. “There are rumors, but I want to hear it from you.”

“Listen, I’d love to chat, but I need to find Summer.”

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