Page 41 of Pucking Obsessed

Pulling into the small parking lot of Benji’s Diner, I glance over at Madison, and the look on her face almost undoes me. Her wide blue eyes are lit with a wonder I’ve never seen before, and her lips part slightly as she takes in the retro neon sign glowing against the bright afternoon sky. She looks like she’s beentransported back to a childhood dream, and it hits me harder than it probably should if I’m going to keep my ‘I don’t give a fuck’ title.

“How did you–” she starts but cuts herself off with a shake of her head, her tone teasing. “Nevermind. Sometimes I forget that you stalk my entire life.”

I smirk, parking the truck in a spot close to the entrance. “You are my entire life, Madison. I think it’s time you realize that.” The words leave my mouth before I can think better of them, but I don’t regret it. I wouldn’t take it back for anything.

Her entire face flushes pink, the prettiest shade I’ve ever seen, and it’s not like she can hide it. I’ve studied her so much, I’d notice the smallest change in her. I feel like a fucking king making her happy.

I lean over, my hand finding her jaw, cradling her delicate face like the treasure it is. Her skin is so soft under my fingertips, and I tilt her head just slightly before brushing a kiss against her lips. “With everything going on at campus, I wasn’t about to leave you there,” I say, “And I’ve got an away game.”

She smiles, but there’s a hint of curiosity in her expression. “Don’t you have to ride on the team bus?”

I give her a look as if to say, do I ever do anything I don’t want to? Madison gives me a small nod, waiting for me to explain.

“I’d skip the game if I could, but we need to talk to Tristan’s cousin. He’s a tech wiz like Tristan, only better at it because he’s not distracted by Winter.”

Her lips purse, and I know what’s coming before she even says it. “Be nice to Winter. She’s my friend, and I like her. Do you want to go in? They have the best?—”

“Grilled cheese and tomato soup? Your favorite to get with your grandfather,” I interrupt, her expression shifting to awe again. I feel a pang in my chest at the realization that no one’sever cared enough to remember the small things about her before.

Before Madison can respond, there’s a knock at her window. I press the button to lower it, and the man outside, dressed in a crisp white apron and a 1950s diner cap, hands her a brown paper bag. She takes it, her fingers brushing the bag in surprise, before passing it to me. The man hands her a drink tray next, his eyes twinkling with familiarity.

“Come back anytime,” he says with a friendly nod. “You got a good one there.” He gestures toward me before heading back toward the diner.

Madison’s blush deepens, and she turns to me, shaking her head with a laugh. “You really know how to make a girl feel special.”

“Not any girl,” I correct, because I need her to know, “Just you.” I hold her gaze for a moment before turning back to the wheel. “Hold on, princess. I want to show you something.” I can’t help the grin tugging at my lips as I pull out of the lot.

She’s going to love this.

MADISON

The car hums softly as we drive away from Benji’s, the sunlight streaming through the windows and dappling the leather seats. Hayden hasn’t told me where we’re going, just that it’s his second favorite place in the world.

“Second favorite?” I ask, glancing over at him.

He smirks, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. “We can’t talk about my actual favorite place unless you want me to pull over and?—”

I roll my eyes, laughing despite myself. “You’re ridiculous, Hayden.”

He shrugs like it’s a compliment, and then tips his head toward the bag on my lap. “Eat your food while it’s still hot.”

I grab the drink from the cupholder and take a sip, freezing when the sweet, creamy flavor hits my tongue. “A root beer float? It has ice cream in it?” My voice comes out higher-pitched than I’d like, but I can’t help it.

Hayden shoots me a quick glance, his eyes so soft just for me. “It’s your favorite, isn’t it?”

I nod, suddenly unsure of what to say. It’s such a small thing, but it feels like so much more. I dip the edge of one of the grilledcheese sandwiches into a cup of the tomato soup and take a bite. The flavors are the most perfect mixture. The gooey cheese, crispy bread, warm, tangy soup tastes exactly like it did when my grandfather used to bring me to Benji’s when I was a kid.

I feel Hayden’s eyes on me and glance over. He’s watching me with an expression that I can’t really place, because I don’t think anyone has ever looked at me quite this way before.

“How is it?” he asks, his tone low.

“Perfect. I’d ask who you had to threaten to get my order, but I don’t want to ruin the sweet gesture.” I smile, dipping another corner of the sandwich into the soup and holding it out to him. “Here, try it.”

His eyebrow arches, letting me know that he did, in fact, threaten someone to get the information. He leans over, his lips brushing against my fingers as he takes the bite. His eyes flick to mine, holding them for just a second too long, and my stomach flips.

“Best you’ve ever had, right?” I tease, trying to sound casual even though I can feel myself getting pulled completely under the tidal wave that is Hayden Lockwood.

“Hundred percent.” His voice is rough, and the way he says it makes it clear he’s not just talking about the food.

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