Page 56 of Good Pucking Luck

“Why is it a mess?” Mom asks, and I sit up again, making her hand fall away. I can’t even think right now.

“Too many reasons to count.”

“Just tell him how you feel,” Mom adds, and my eyeballs nearly fall out of my head.

“I can’t do that! That’s the worst advice ever. Especially not right now.” It will make Hayes run, and I’m not ready to lose him yet.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Hayes

Fun fact: whileI’m apparently good luck for Rylan, I don’t spare any for myself. My good-luck gene must have only activated when I met him because it’s not something I’ve ever had much of.

Case in point, my fellow Jilted Exes want to get together to watch Rylan’s game at Donovan’s tonight—only for them, it’s not Rylan’s game; it’s the Rebels’ game. While we haven’t made it to Anthony’s bar yet, we’ve been getting together about once a week. I’ve stopped pretending I’m not going to go, though I do still grumble to Rylan about it. The truth is, I like Donovan and Anthony. And I like feeling part of something because I never really have before.

My phone buzzes with a text as I sit in front of Donovan’s house.

Rylan: Wish me good pucking luck, cutie.

I grin. It’s such a stupid nickname, but evidently, I’m starting to enjoy stupid.

Me: Good luck.

I’mnotsaying good pucking luck. I hit Send and then feel my chest get tight, worry creeping in, so I send another text.

Me: And be careful…don’t let anyone hit you.

He comes home bruised a lot, especially along his torso. A few weeks back he’d gotten a black eye, and I might have overreacted, but it was the first time I’ve seen someone I care about hurt that way. Even though I know it’s from his game, it doesn’t feel good. It’s weird because I find myself wanting to takecare of him when stuff like that happens. It makes my chest hurt to see Rylan in pain.

Rylan: Aww, I love that you care, but it’s kinda part of the job. I’ll do my best, though. And you’re supposed to say good pucking luck.

Me: No.

Rylan: Yes.

Me: No.

Rylan: Please?

Ugh. I sigh.

Me: Good pucking luck.

Rylan: That can be our thing. We should have a thing. Talk tonight?

Why is he asking me that? We talk basically every night. When he’s on road trips like he is now, Mads always leaves the room to give us time to jerk off together. When he’s home, we often talk in the evening even when I’m not with him. It’s almost as though, for the first time in my life, I have a best friend. One who likes to have orgasms with me.

Rylan has been acting a little different the past week or two. I can’t put my finger on what it is, though. He’s just…attentive. And sometimes I’ll be sitting there petting Puck or watching TV, and I’ll catch him staring at me like I have something on my face. When I ask him what he’s looking at, he’ll make a joke and turn away or just lean in and kiss me. It’s confusing as hell.

Me: Yeah. I’m with the Jilted Exes, but I’ll be back home so we don’t miss our time.

Rylan: If you’re having fun, don’t leave just for me.

My pulse throbs against my skin. Rylan is so caring. I hate that I didn’t see it in the beginning. He’s going to make someone an awesome boyfriend one day.

Me: I’ll be home.

I’ve gotten to the point where I look forward to my conversations with Rylan. A couple of weeks back, I quizzed him with a bunch of hockey questions after his game, and he didn’t even get annoyed with me. When he noticed I was surprised, hesaid, “I like that you want to know more about the game I love.” And then we’d just sorta looked at each other before busting up laughing.

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