Page 25 of Puck Block

I tap on the paper. “If you want to do this behind Emory’s back, then you’re gonna have to follow these rules.”

Taytum tucks some hair behind her ear and reads the list once more before getting up to head over to her best friend. Claire is at the bar, chatting with some of her co-workers, and I can’t help but watch Taytum’s swinging hips for the entire walk. Claire gives her a pen, and then she’s marching back over to me.

We keep eye contact the entire time, and when she’s done scribbling on the paper, she pushes it back to me and curls her mouth.

Ford’s Rules:

1. No fucking hockey players -didn’t want to in the first place.

2. No sexting hockey players -fine.

3. No flirting with hockey players -we’ll see.

4. Ford gets full approval over who Taytum chooses to pursue and when

“Then I’m not helping you.” I’m as matter-of-fact as they come. “That last one is the most important rule on the list.”

Taytum sits up a little taller. “I’m not letting you pick my boyfriends for me. That’s practically the same as it is now!”

I shrug. “Well, I’m not willing to let some guy fuck you and never talk to you again.”

She slaps the table but lowers her voice when she realizes people are looking at us. “What if that’s what I want?”

I shake my head. “It’s not.”

She’s annoyingly cute when she pouts. Her lip juts forward, and her arms cross even tighter against her chest. “And how many one-night stands haveyouhad, Ford Alexander?”

My name rolls off her tongue with distaste–yet, I still enjoy the sound of it. “That’s different.”

“No, it’s not,” Claire adds as she sits down beside her best friend.

“No, no, no,” I start, wagging my finger, “I’m not about to go up against both of you. Go on and get.” I point behind me to the door, and it’s no surprise that she doesn’t listen.

“Stop being crazy, Ford. She just wants to be a normal college student.”

I purse my lips. “You mean like you? Fake dating the hockey captain? Becausethat’snormal.”

Claire’s mouth opens wide. “Faking dating him wasyouridea!”

Oh, right.

Taytum grabs the paper after Claire makes me feel stupid and rips it in two. They both laugh, and I scowl.

“Your rules are stupid,” she says.

My immaturity gets the best of me, and instead of having some witty comeback, all I can think to say is, “Well…you’re stupid.”

Taytum laughs out loud at my lack of creativity, which causes me to chuckle.

Claire pops out of the booth and taps the table with her fingers. “Well, good luck, you two.”

Then, it’s just Taytum and me, all alone and at an impasse.

I lean back, spread my legs out under the table, and knee her to get her attention. She’s nibbling on her bottom lip, and I’m reminded again that, although she appears so damn confident with her perfect looks and assured struts around campus,she’s actually inexperienced and a little self-conscious after her diagnosis. A little sad too.

Fuck.

“Okay, fine,” I snap. “Scratch the last rule…but the others still stand. No hockey players, because this is already crossing a line. If Emory knows I’m in on this or covering for you…”

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