Page 87 of Puck Block

Ford rakes a hand through his messy hair. “Lennie? Your dad hates Lennie.”

Emory snaps a finger. “Exactly. Something is up, so we’re going home, and we’re going to get to the bottom of it.”

“Em–” I start, but he interrupts me.

“You have to come. I’m supposed to be watching over you, remember?”

This again? “I’m not ten. I’m in my twenties.”

“And you nearly died just a couple of months ago. I’m not leaving you here alone.”

I look at Ford because if he stays here, I won’t be alone, but he’s silently begging me not to ask. There’s a discreet shake ofhis head, and I sigh loudly before turning back to my brother. “Fine.”

“Pack your shit, and don’t forget your insulin. Meet us at the rink after practice, and we’ll leave then.” Emory is out the door before I can protest.

Ford and I stare at each other from across my bedroom, and defiance backs me up. “Too afraid to stay at Bexley U with me without the threat of my brother walking in on us?”

His eyes narrow. “You’re playing dirty, Tay.”

I cross my arms and shrug.

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing.”

Ford’s perfect smile catches me off guard. I grab my hairbrush and chuck it at his head, knowing he’s fast enough to dodge it to begin with. His laugh echoes throughout my room. “I know what’s wrong with you.”

“You don’t know everything about me,” I jab.

He snickers, and it’s the most sarcastic noise I have ever heard. “You didn’t like my little show, did you?”

Damn him for knowing me so well.

“Better go. My brother is waiting for you.”

Ford strides across my bedroom floor leisurely. He stops when he’s right in front of me. I’m eye-level with his chest, but when he slips his finger beneath my chin, I'm forced to look at him. “If it makes you feel any better, the only reason I don’t want to stay here with you while Emory goes home is because I don’t trust myself anymore.”

He quickly backs away. There’s an obvious line drawn between us now, and it gets thicker with each step he takes.

Before he leaves me alone with my thoughts, he grins. “And don’t worry, you’re a much better kisser than she is.”

My jaw drops, and his laughter echoes all the way down the stairs and out the front door.

[ 40 ]

FORD

Coach points at Emory.“Fine, but you better be back before practice time tomorrow. I don’t want any bullshit excuses about traffic either.”

Emory nods and then skates across the rink toward the locker room. Coach yells for me, and I move across the ice casually before doing a little turn and sending him a goofy grin. “I know, I know. I heard you. Don’t worry. We’ll leave at ten.”

“Ten?” Coach shouts. “That’s only three hours before practice!”

I laugh. “I’m kidding. We’ll leave at seven so we can beat rush hour. We’ll be back by eleven at the latest.”

Coach shoots me his usual you’re-lucky-you’re-good-at-hockey glare before turning his back and gathering his things. Aasher and Theo are the only ones left on the ice, and when I follow their line of sight, I slip. My stick flies, and they both turn to see what the commotion is.

What the hell is he doing here?

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