Page 28 of Puck Block

My head tips back, and my blonde hair falls down my back. I swallow my vitamin and head for the door where Sadie and Liv are waiting. We sit in the back of the Uber while on the way to the party, and although they’re only a year younger than me, I run over theParty Girl Rulesthat every sister has to memorize in their first year of the sorority.

The idea of these rules started when one of our sisters was sexually assaulted at a party a couple of years back–by a hockey player, nonetheless. That’s the entire reason why the hockey team doesn’t have their own house on campus. The coach put an end to that real quick.

“Use the buddy system,” Sadie says, glancing at Liv.

Liv holds up her finger when she repeats another rule. “Never take a drink from someone random.”

“And...?” I ask.

“Never leave your drink unattended.”

I nod in between them and squeeze both of their hands. “Can I trust you two to get home safely without me?”

Sadie laughs softly. “We’re not the youngest in the house, you know that, right?”

The car comes to a stop, and the Uber driver, an older male who has been quiet the entire ride, speaks up. “It doesn’t matter how old you are. People make stupid choices all the time.”

“Touche,” I say, siding with him.

I peek up at him in the rearview mirror, and he smiles. “I have a daughter, and I have to say, she’d be lucky to have a friend like you.”

I smile. “Thank you. Have a good night.”

He nods and says, “Be safe.” Before pulling away.

The door to the football house is wide open when the three of us skip up the stairs. Even though it's freezing outside, it’s so congested inside that it feels hot and muggy when we enter the party. I ping-pong my gaze around the room and brace myself for the scathing look I know I’ll get from Emory, but then I feel a hand snake around my waist.

I know it’s Ford without looking.

“He’s not here,” he whispers in my ear. “You’re off the hook.”

Butterflies rush to my belly. I get a whiff of his crisp cologne when I turn slightly. His blue eyes grip me, and although he’s sporting his charming grin, his shoulders are tense.

“Enjoy your night of freedom, Taytum.”

Ford’s throat bobs, and he lingers on my face for a breath before turning and storming the dance floor. He steals a drink from an innocent bystander and tips it back before dropping the cup to the floor. I watch in silence as he runs his gaze down my outfit and then back to my face. He shakes his head slightly, but to my surprise, he turns away.

And suddenly, I’m left to my own devices.

[ 12 ]

FORD

I’m notsure what Taytum is waiting for.

I’m also not sure why I can’t just turn my back and pretend she doesn’t exist for the night. I’ve done it before, so I know it can be done. Except, this time, I’ve blatantly told her I won't interfere, and I’m pretty certain it’s messing with me.

There’s been a safety net around Taytum for years between her brother and me, but now that she’s torn some bigger holes in the net, she’s able to swim away and up the stairs into some guy’s arms if she wants to.

Berkley moves beside me on the dance floor with his hands on some girl’s waist. “You got any whiskey?”

I crook a feigned smile at him. “I always have whiskey.” I pause. “But you don’t want it. I’ve seen the way you drink after we win a game.”

His brows furrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

I chuckle. “You’ll have whiskey dick if you drink my whiskey.”

My flask is nearly empty anyway, and I don’t like to share.

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