Page 11 of Body Checked By the Defenseman

“Ah, gotcha,” Macklin answers. “But I don’t see why Ruby needs to be in the middle of that chaos.”

Knox looks thrown.

“Mack, everything is fine. Would you stop?” I ask him while pleading with my eyes for him to just back away.

“Did you guys used to date or something?” Knox asks.

A loud gasp leaves Macklin. “Hell no, bro, I’m just looking out for her.”

Knox nods but he doesn’t look like he is buying it.

“Hi, Macklin,” Annie says, coming around to his side.

Macklin gives her a nod.

Luc walks up to our group. He’s pretty drunk too.

“Rubes, please don’t tell Finn we were out drinking,” Luc pleads.

“I would never,” I assure.

“Cool,” Luc replies, completely oblivious to the tension radiating through our little interaction.

“Ruby, you want to take a walk?” Knox asks.

I look over to Briar and Annie for permission because we are here together, and I don’t want to ditch them.

They both nod for me to go.

“Sure,” I answer Knox. I don’t know if I want to take a walk with Knox, but I do know I want to get away from Macklin. He’s behaving like a crazy person.

“Ruby, wait,” Macklin says, and Luc puts up his hand and places it on his chest. Then he whispers something to him.

“Have a good night, Macklin,” I say to him. I look at Briar and Annie, who both look a little stunned by Macklin’s odd behavior. “I’ll see you guys soon.”

I say soon because I don’t want Knox to think we are going to be a while.

When we get far enough away from everyone, Knox asks, “So, are you sure there is nothing with you and Macklin? Because that dude gives off some weird vibes.”

“Absolutely nothing.” I laugh because I am tipsy. “He’s my brother’s best friend, I just think that sometimes he forgets he isn’t my brother. He’s always looked out for me because Hayden asked him to.”

“Ah, gotcha,” he says. “Good, because I like spending time with you.” His arm encircles my hip, and he draws me into him.

“I like spending time with you too,” I tell him. “I take it you and Krista were a thing.”

“Yeah,” he says. “Until I found out she was also a thing with some other guys too.”

“Ouch.” I cringe.

“I’m a one-woman kind of guy. I expect the same thing in return,” he states, and he really is kind and nice. We kiss for a while, but I can’t get Macklin’s crazy reaction out of my head. I’m going to need to speak to him about minding his own business. He needs to realize he isn’t my brother, and I don’t need him screwing up my chances of finding the right guy to give my V-card to.

CHAPTER FOUR

You Want Her

Macklin

I’m at morning skate, doing my stretches, when Luc walks up to me.

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