Page 33 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

“June isn’t boring,” Lachy retorts. “She’s a great lass.”

“God. Your accent is so swoony. It’s like I’m talking to Jamie Fraser fromOutlander.”

My entire body becomes tense. April had better not start flirting with Lachy.

Ryan leans closer and whispers in my ear. “You’re not getting jealous, are you, Peaches?”

“No,” I murmur.

Goose bumps form on my skin. Despite needing to maintain the façade that I’m only friends with the boys, I can’t control my body’s reaction to Ryan’s hot breath on me. I’m glad that April isn’t paying attention to me now. She’s way too observant.

“If you say so,” April replies. “But she did date Bill for an eternity, and honestly, I never knew what she saw in that stuck-up guy. He thinks the sun comes up just to hear him crow. Did you know he was voted the most punchable face in high school?”

My jaw drops. “How did you know that? You were only a kid.”

“August told me.”

I throw my head back, resting it against the seat. “Of course he did. Can we please stop talking about Bill?”

“Gee. Fine.” She focuses on Ryan and then Jake. “Do you guys have girlfriends?”

Good grief, April. You’re sucking big time today.

“Yes,” they all answer at the same time, making my heart do a cartwheel. It’s me. They’re talking about me. I can’t help the smile that blossoms on my lips.

“Really?” She sounds disappointed, which makes me even more amused.

“Yeah,” Lachy replies.

“That’s too bad.”

“Why is that?” Ryan asks.

“I was hoping one of you would date June. I said she was boring, but she is a catch, you know? And God knows she needs an upgrade in the boyfriend department.”

My face becomes hot.Okay, April. I forgive you for bringing up Bill earlier.

“You’re not wrong about that,” Lachy pipes up. “Maybe one of usisdating her.”

“What?” she screeches, then turns to me. “You’re dating a hockey player and didn’t tell me?”

I ignore her and glower at the back of Lachy’s head. I can’t believe he said that after I asked them to pretend we’re just friends.

“There’s nothing to tell,” I grit out. “Lachy is kidding.”

Jake takes my hand in his. “It’s okay, Junebug. You can tell your sister.”

April doesn’t miss the gesture. She stares at Jake’s hand clasping mine for a second, then looks at me. “You’re dating Jake. I knew it! That’s why you were his date at that charity event. Jenny saidyouwere the charity case. Wait until I tell her I was right!”

Only my dear sister can compliment and humiliate me in the span of seconds.

I open my mouth to say she can’t tell anyone, but hell, I don’t have any reason to keep my relationship with Jake a secret. It’s okay for me to date one hockey player. The problem is dating Ryan and Lachy at the same time.

“We haven’t made it official yet,” Jake chimes in. “I’d ask you to wait a bit before you spread the news.”

“Yeah. I didn’t even tell Mom and Dad yet,” I add.

April’s face falls. “Oh... okay.”

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