Page 42 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

“Hello?”

“About fucking time you answered my call,” my father says in his pissed-off voice.

My blood runs cold. God damnit.

“What do you want now?”

“Do you think your rebellious act of walking out of the restaurant changed anything? Tell your good-for-nothing agent to start negotiations with the Bobcats. I wasn’t kidding before. I want you back in New York.”

“I don’t know how many times I need to say this to you. I don’t give a shit about what you want.”

“You made that very clear. But you should know by now I’m not a man you say no to.”

“Do you want to unseal my records? Go ahead. I’d rather smear my reputation and never play hockey again than bow to your demands.”

“Do your friends feel the same way?”

My stomach coils so tightly that it hurts. Here he goes again, threatening to come after my friends. “I know this will shock you, but they aren’t afraid of you either.”

I didn’t have the chance to ask Ryan or Lachy if they had any secrets my father could expose, but I’m not going to let the bastard know he has a hold over me.

He laughs. “Does your sweet and innocent girlfriend share their sentiment? I’d hate if she got caught in the middle of this.”

Damn everything to hell.

“Stay away from June,” I reply through clenched teeth.

“Sign the contract with the Bobcats, and your precious middle-school teacher will remain safe and sound. Keep defying me, and the Jumbotron incident will be nothing compared to what she’ll face.”

CHAPTER 19

JUNE

Maybe I spent more time than needed in the shower. My toes and fingers are pruny, but I’m feeling a million times better now that I got rid of the day’s gunk. I smell fresh, and my hair is silky smooth, all dried and not a freaking mess.

I chose to wear another pretty dress. Normally, I’d put on comfy sweatpants and a T-shirt during the week, but I’m not going up to the boys’ apartment dressed like a potato sack.

I’m humming Taylor Swift’s new song “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me” when I walk out of my room and find Jake sitting on the couch. I jump back and yelp.

He turns to me. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

My face is burning up. I can’t believe he heard me singing off-key.

“I... how long have you been here?”

He rubs his chin. “I’m not sure.”

His eyes are troubled, and I don’t know if he’s feeling bad for scaring me or if it’s something else. I walk over and take a seat next to him. “Did you want to talk to me?”

My heart is beating fast and loud. Jake and I haven’t spent time alone since he came back from the trip, and after theawkward exchange we had yesterday, I’m unsure what he wants from me. He desires sex, that much I know, but does he want more? He could have offered to be my official boyfriend for any number of reasons that have nothing to do with his feelings for me.

“Yes, but first...” He cups my cheek and leans closer. “I need to do this.” His lips brush mine, soft and electrifying, making me tingle all over.

I lean into him, opening my mouth to his sweet invasion. God, I love kissing this man. He takes control, his tongue commanding mine, and I’m more than willing to let him lead. Every cell in my body is supercharged, humming and calling out to him.

He ends the kiss too soon, leaving me panting and wanting more. I stare at his lips, trying to catch my breath.

“What did you want to talk about?” I whisper.

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