Page 68 of Body Checked By the Defenseman

“No,” Finn snaps. “And if you don’t stop grinning at Charlie, I will hang you up on the front porch by your boxers.”

Luc winces. “Sorry, bro. I read that wrong.”

“You sure did,” Finn retorts, shoving the grilled cheese in his mouth.

“Okay, guys, let’s enjoy these amazing grilled cheese sandwiches,” I redirect, and I get up from sitting between Finn and Charlie and I take a seat on Macklin’s lap. Everyone stays quiet and enjoys their sandwiches.

“Uh, guys, there is just one thing,” Luc interrupts. “Hayden said I could come home with you guys for the holiday. Now I’m thinking it’s going to be a bloodbath.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

I’m Fucked Five Ways to Sunday

Macklin

I spent the morning packing for a full week and a half at home with Abuela. I only started calling her place home once I turned eighteen and Leila stopped getting checks for me. She didn’t even wait for high school to end before asking me to leave. Luckily, I only had to move across the hall. Abuela had told me, long before I turned eighteen, I would always have a place with her. But it was a two-bedroom apartment. Ruby and Hayden shared a room and I took the couch. When I got the news that Riverside U wanted me, Hayden was ecstatic. Right away he told me I would have a room in the hockey house. The guy always made sure I was taken care of, and what do I do? I go and fall head over heels for his sister.

I head downstairs with my suitcase and leave it by the door. It’s a medium-sized suitcase on rollers. Luc has his suitcase packed and Ruby is nowhere in sight, which means she must still be getting ready in her room. She spent the night in my room last night but felt it was better she left before the sun came up and everyone was awake.

“Dude, you said you liked her, not that it was mutual,” Luc whispers.

“That’s because I didn’t know it was mutual at the time,” I tell him.

“Bro, Hayden is going to have a fit,” he informs me.

“You do know that I’m stressed enough as it is, right? You’re just adding to my guilt,” I snap because he clearly doesn’t have a filter.

“Well, don’t worry, I’ve got your back if he loses his shit,” Luc assures, giving my shoulder a squeeze.

“I hope it isn’t going to come to that. I don’t want to fight with Hayden. I just need him to accept Ruby and me,” I explain. Ironically, acceptance seems to be a theme in my life. When I was being passed from foster home to foster home before I landed at Leila’s, I always hoped I would find a family that would accept me and not want to give me away. Then there was Abuela, Hayden, and Ruby. They were all kind and warm from the beginning. They accepted me but then I went and developed feelings for Ruby. I believed I wasn’t good enough. A part of me still feels that way. Even though Ruby has made it clear I am everything she wants and needs, there is still a part of me that thinks Abuela is going to be pissed, and Hayden will be too, because Ruby could do a whole lot better than me.

She walks out of her room, rolling her suitcase. She’s wearing a pair of black leggings and Uggs. Her honey blond hair is blown out in soft curls and she’s wearing a white puffer jacket, but it’s the smile on her face and the warm look in her eyes that draws me in.

“All ready,” she announces, and she blows out a breath.

“Okay, I’ll call an Uber to take us to the bus station. It’s snowing outside. The bus will be a pain,” I say.

“Thanks,” Ruby replies. My gaze fixates on her plump lips and I remember those lips wrapped around my cock last night. Iblink because I’m staring. I need to get a grip but I’m so far gone on this girl.

With Luc tagging along it means we need to behave, which kind of sucks, but he doesn’t have anywhere to go for the holidays and I know what that’s like.

When we arrive to the bus station, I get a text from Hayden. Ruby’s phone buzzes at the same time as mine as we stand at the machine to buy our tickets.

Hayden:Flying into Detroit tonight. Will take Uber to Abuela’s. Don’t tell her, I want it to be a surprise. She’s expecting me in the morning.

I read the message and look over at Ruby. “It was Hayden.”

“He’s coming home tonight,” she says with a worried look on her face.

“Both of you look like there’s a funeral. I don’t see the problem. You guys are in love. I wish I could have that problem, but I’m into kinky stuff and the type of girls who like that don’t necessarily want to settle down,” Luc complains, even though I think he said it to make us feel better.

“Are you talking about threesomes again?” Macklin asks.

“Bro, not in front of the lady,” Luc says, eyeing Ruby.

We take our tickets and walk over to the platform to wait for our bus. It arrives moments later and we all get on.

“Luc, you literally just thought I was having a threesome with Charlie, who is my best friend, and Finn,” I remind him. “I’m not a prude. You can share your feelings, it’s a safe space.”

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