Page 34 of Pucking my Enemy Boss

“Morning, sunshine,” Ryan’s voice is annoyingly chipper. “You coming to the gym? We’ve got a lot to go over.”

I hesitate, glancing at the clock. Normally, I’d be there already, but today... “I think I’ll stay home this morning.”

There’s a pause on the other end of the line. “Wait, what? You, skipping the gym? Is the world ending?”

I roll my eyes, though I know he can’t see it. “I just need to stay home, that’s all.”

Ryan’s voice is full of suspicion. “What’s going on, Ethan? You’re not one to skip out on training. Is something up?”

I sigh, knowing I can’t dodge his questions forever. “I need to talk to my housemate.”

“Your housemate?” Ryan’s tone is incredulous. “Since when do you have a housemate?”

“It’s been two weeks,” I say, walking upstairs through the house, looking for any sign of Holly. “She’s the new event manager.”

“Holly Bennett?” Ryan’s voice takes on a different tone—one that’s both curious and a bit amused. “Wait, Holly Bennett is your housemate? How did I miss this?”

I don’t bother answering as I check the kitchen, the living room, and then head to the hallway. But there’s nothing. Just the familiar quiet of the house.She’s gone again.

“Yeah, she’s been staying here,” I mumble into the phone, more to myself than to Ryan. “Apparently she needed a place to stay so Lauren offered her my empty place upstairs.”

“That’s David’s space,” Ryan gasps. “You never let anyone in there.”

“I do now, but I doubt she stays there that much,” I grunt.

“What do you mean?”

“She’s not here now. She rarely is these days.”

“So, let me get this straight,” Ryan says, his voice taking on a teasing edge. “You’re skipping the gym to talk to your housemate, who’s also the new event manager, who is not home, and you’re disappointed?”

“Shut up, Ryan,” I mutter, but the irritation in my voice is more directed at myself than at him.

“Seriously, man, what’s going on?” Ryan’s tone shifts to something more serious. “Is everything okay?”

I hesitate, the words sticking in my throat. It’s been six days since that fight in the locker room, six days of Holly avoiding me at every turn. She’s been coming home late, leaving early, and barely giving me more than a few words when we do cross paths.And every time I try to talk to her, she brushes me off like I’m not even there.

“She’s avoiding me,” I finally admit, my voice low.

“Why?” Ryan asks, genuinely curious.

“I don’t know,” I say, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “I mean, I have an idea, but she won’t even give me the chance to talk to her.”

Ryan hums thoughtfully. “So, what’s the plan? You gonna keep chasing after her?”

“I’m not chasing after her,” I snap, but the words feel hollow, even to me.

“Sure sounds like it,” Ryan retorts, but there’s no malice in his voice, just that infuriating sense of understanding that only comes from knowing someone too well.

I walk back into the kitchen, feeling the weight of my own confusion pressing down on me. Holly’s made breakfast again, as usual—scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, and whole-grain toast. It’s exactly the kind of meal someone in my profession would have, and I can’t help but wonder if she asked Lauren about it. She’s doing everything she can to take care of the practical stuff, everything except actually seeing me.

I pick up the note she’s left beside the plate. It’s short, to the point, like all the others she’s left this week.

“Ethan, we’re out of milk.

I’ll pick some up later.

I’ve got an event today, so don’t wait up.”

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