Page 50 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

“Only you would want to stuff your face after almost dying from eating,” Melissa pipes up. “Jake, you’d better call Coach. I’m sure he’s heard the news by now. And get Lachy home. The longer he stays at the hospital, the wilder the theories about him will get.”

“Right. I’ll call him now.” Jake pulls out his cell phone.

“June, I’ll give you a ride home. It’s better if you don’t leave with the boys.”

“Oh... okay. Yeah. Good idea.” June turns to me. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

“You can’t leave without giving me a goodbye kiss,” I say.

Her cheeks turn bright pink, but she comes closer. “Only because you almost died.”

She presses her lips against mine, a chaste peck—at least, that was her intention. But I cup the back of her head to keep her in place, and coax her lips open with my tongue, needing a proper taste. I don’t care that Melissa is in the room.

“Good morning,” an unfamiliar female voice says.

June jumps back, and her face is now redder than before. She avoids making eye contact with the nurse who just came in. The woman stares at June for a beat with her brows furrowed, then fleetingly glances at Jake. Melissa looks downright pissed off.

Bloody hell. I think I just fucked up.

CHAPTER 22

JUNE

Melissa has been quiet since we left the hospital, her face a cold mask. At first, I leave her alone, but as the silence stretches, I get more and more uncomfortable.

“Are you angry with me?” I finally blurt out.

“No.” She keeps staring straight ahead.

“But youareangry.”

“Angryis not the correct word. I’m annoyed. I have a lot on my plate right now, and I don’t have the spoons to worry about players acting like children.”

I wince, regretting opening my big mouth. “I’m sorry.”

She sighs. “No. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. And I don’t really think Lachy, Jake, and Ryan are immature. They’re just in love and not thinking with their heads.”

“You’re worried the nurse will blabber.”

“Yes. She looked stunned to see you kissing Lachy so passionately. I’m guessing you were also affectionate with Jake in public?”

My face becomes warm, and I look out the window so she won’t see my reaction. “Yeah. We weren’t hiding that we’re together.”

“Did you kiss Ryan in public too?”

I shake my head. “No, but I hugged him.”

“Well... friends do hug. Anyway, I know last night you were all worried and stressed. But you must be more careful, especially when you go to San Diego with the boys.”

“I know, I will. You don’t have to worry. I’m sorry that we’re stressing you out.”

“It’s not only the job that’s making me edgy. I have some shit going on in my life.”

“Oh...” I study her. She looks the same as always, but she could be a master at hiding her emotions. “I know we haven’t known each other for long, but if you need to talk...”

She glances at me quickly. “Thank you. You have enough on your plate. You don’t need to worry about my personal problems. Besides, they’ll sort themselves out one way or another.”

“Thanks for giving me a ride home,” I say after a moment.

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