Page 54 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

Maya raises a brow. “Oh? Like your husband?”

Dennis’s wife gets all flustered. “I wasn’t even thinking about Dennis.” She glances at her half-full glass. “I’m getting a new drink.”

“Thanks for the assist,” I say after Dennis’s wife walks away.

“Don’t mention it. I wish I’d had someone to help me when I dipped my toes into WAG life. I was so unprepared to deal with all the cattiness.”

“It’s a little off putting to me how it doesn’t seem different than high school.”

“I didn’t have a bad experience in high school, but I didn’t attend high school in the US. Maybe that’s why.”

“Where did you go to school?”

“In the Netherlands.”

“That’s awesome. Where did you meet Banksy?”

“College. I went to Hannaford U. Simon was the hotshot hockey player, and I was the quiet girl who was assigned to tutor him.”

“A classic love story.” I grin.

She smiles back at me. “Yeah. I’ll tell you all about it one day.”

“I’d love that.”

We stay in the lounge until some of the wives with children head to the ice to watch their husbands warm up. Maya suggests we walk around the food court and people watch. I’m thankful she took the lead on that idea. I really can’t let these women intimidate me.

Unfortunately, I can’t escape them like I planned. Fiona, Wendy, and Kendall—Dennis’s wife—tag along too. Maya and I fall behind, letting the trio walk ahead of us. I’m intent on tuningthem out, but then Kendall asks Wendy about her Halloween party. I love Halloween, so that piques my interest.

“Oh, it’s going to be epic! Wait until you see my costume,” Wendy replies.

“What are you wearing?” I ask.

She looks over her shoulder with brows raised. “I can’t tell you. It’s a surprise.”

“You and Jake are coming, right?” Maya asks.

“Uh... he didn’t say anything. And I have plans already.”

Wendy stops in her tracks and spins around. “You must come to the party. It’s non-negotiable.”

I’m taken aback by her vehemence. “Why?”

“Jake never comes because he hates to celebrate his birthday,” Maya explains.

I blink fast, confused by her answer.

“You do know Jake’s birthday is on Halloween, right?” Fiona arches a brown. God, I’m starting to hate her passive-aggressive remarks.

“No, I didn’t know.”

My honest answer surprises them. Did they expect me to lie? I bet they did.

“You didn’t google him before you start to date?” Kendall presses.

I shake my head. “Nope.”

“Wow, I think you’re the first girlfriend I’ve ever met who didn’t have a full report on her guy.”

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