Page 27 of Pucking Obsessed

My face burns as I stand, holding Hayden’s jersey in one hand. I stalk toward the plexiglass, tossing his jersey over the top before stripping off the one I’m wearing. The cool air of the arena brushes against my bare arms as I stand there in my graytank top and jeans. I don’t have a bra on and by the way his eyes flick down to my chest, I’m sure my nipples are poking through and I know Hayden well enough that he hates and loves that all at the same time.

Hayden’s eyes are locked on mine, his jaw tight, his chest heaving. Maybe that girl had a point about the hate fucking, because I’m very much baiting him right now.

I cut my eyes at him one last time before spinning on my heel and heading toward the exit. I don’t know where I’m going, but I know I need to get out of here. This is getting out of control. Hayden is getting under my skin in ways I can’t ignore, and it scares me how much I want him to follow me tonight.

I know we can’t be together long term. I know this thing between us is messy and impossible. We need to get each other out of our systems so we can move on. I can’t imagine anyone else being my first, even though it can’t work out.

The only problem is, Hayden has made it very clear he wants to be my last, too.

HAYDEN

Ican’t fucking find her.

My phone vibrates in my hand again, but it’s not my girl. It’s just another notification from Callum asking where the hell I went after storming off the ice. I don’t answer. None of it matters if I don’t know where Madison is or if she’s safe. She’s only in that little tank top and it’s cold as fuck out here tonight.

I stalk across campus, my steps quick and heavy. My body feels wired, my blood humming with anger and frustration.

Kirsten. Of course it was Kirsten. She gave Madison that jersey, knowing exactly what it would do to me. And I let it get to me. I lashed out at her like a fucking idiot.

I can’t keep doing this.

I changed out of my hockey gear in record time, barely bothering to pull on a clean hoodie and jeans.

I glance down at my screen, the call log full of unanswered calls and unread texts I’ve been frantically sending her since she walked out of the arena.

Madison, please answer me.

You’re not safe without me.

Please, baby. Let me apologize.

Nothing.

My teeth grind as I shove the phone back into my pocket. I’ve already checked her room, the café, and the library. I’ve been to every spot on campus she might’ve gone.

But I know her. I know how she thinks, how she moves.

The woods just off the side of where the vigil was held for our parents pops into my head. The place where we kissed for the first time. If she’s there, it’s because she wants me to find her. We’re supposed to be having a bonfire there after the game. I could be wrong, but I don’t think I am. My feet are moving before I can second-guess it. I know a shortcut through the cemetery, just past the woods.

The woods are dark except for the flashlight on my phone. It’s so quiet and it’s hard to believe she’s out here alone, but then I see her.

She’s leaning against a tree, her arms crossed over her chest, her face tilted up toward the sky. The moonlight casts a soft glow over her, illuminating her skin and making her hair shine like gold.

My breath catches, and for a moment, all I can do is stand there and stare.

She’s everything.

The anger, the frustration, the worry all melt away, replaced by something deeper, something raw and primal that claws at my chest and makes my entire body burn.

I move toward her, and her eyes meet mine as I reach her, and I see the flicker of defiance there, the challenge. She’s still mad at me for yelling at her, and she has every right to be.I cansee it in the way her lips press together, the way her shoulders stiffen. I have to fix this. There’s no other option.

Without a word, I grab her, pulling her against me as my mouth crashes down on hers. The kiss is hard and demanding, my hands gripping her waist as if I’m afraid she’ll disappear if I let go.

Her gasp is muffled against my lips, her body arching closer to mine as I push her back against the tree. My hands find hers, pinning them above her head, and I grind against her, letting her feel just how badly I need her. There’s no more waiting. I wanted the first time to be perfectly planned, but it has to be now.

Her breath hitches, her chest rising and falling quickly as she whispers, “We’re both going insane. We need this. Just do it. The wedding is soon. Just do it now so we can get it out of our systems before we can’t anymore.”

Her words send a jolt through me, and I lean in closer, my breath heavy against her mouth. I slide my free hand up her stomach, pushing her tank top up and cupping her breast in my hand. God, I fucking need her like I’ve never needed anything in my life.“If you think the wedding will keep me from being inside you every fucking night,” I whisper, my voice rough, “You’re in for a fun surprise, princess.”

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