Page 80 of Pucking Secret

Someone whistles, but I don’t care. My hands tangle in her curly red strands, deepening the kiss. She melts into me, her fingers scratching against my neck, and I feel like I’m goddamn Superman. When we pull apart, her cheeks are flushed, her lips slightly swollen. She’s staring at me with clear hunger.

Fuck, this woman is going to make me lose my mind.

The song is just ending when Grace approaches us, her arm looped around a very unsteady Rylee.

“We’re heading out,” Grace says with a chuckle. “Someone had a little too much fun.”

Rylee giggles, leaning into Grace’s shoulder. “I regret nothing! You lightweights are just jealous that I can go shot-for-shot with every guy in this place!”

“Let’s not test that theory, okay babe?” Grace says, patting Rylee’s cheek affectionately. “We need to get you home before you start puking everywhere.”

“I’m not gonna puke,” Rylee insists with a wave of her hand, her words slurring. The next moment, she burps and presses her fist to her mouth.

Stacey laughs, stepping forward to hug them both. “Yeah, I think it’s time to get her home. I’m glad we got to hang out. I’ll see you when you get back to Denver.”

“Yeah, I’m glad Sky and I decided to stay an extra day,” Grace says, glancing at Rylee with a grin. “We’ll get to hang out more after Drunky McDrunkerson gets over her hangover.” She looks back at Stacey, raising a brow. “Still flying home tomorrow?”

Stacey nods. “Thankfully, Lilah was able to spend the night with Millie. I’d have had to take the red eye home tonight otherwise.”

Grace wiggles her brows as she looks between me and Stacey. “Well then, you two kids have fun, okay? We’ll talk to you when we’re home.”

Stacey chuckles and wraps her arm around mine, squeezing it. “Sounds good.”

“Are you two done chattering?” Rylee asks loudly, drawing our attention back to her. “If you wanna make out so bad, just do it!”

Grace sighs and shakes her head. “All right, time to get her out of here. You good if Skyler and I both take off with her?”

Stacey nods, smiling. “I’ll be fine. You get Rylee home in one piece, okay?”

Skyler snorts, coming up behind Grace and giving Rylee an amused once-over. “Piece is the operative word. She’s hanging by a thread.”

“I’m fine!” Rylee insists. “Look, look, look! I’ll prove it.”

She slips out of Grace’s hold and stands up straight, raising her arms on either side of her. I bite back a laugh when she starts to touch her pointer fingers to her nose, one at a time, like a field sobriety test. She manages to touch every part of her face but hernose, but when she’s done, she throws her hands in the air like a gymnast who just nailed a trick.

“Ta-da!” Rylee raises her chin, looking very pleased with herself. “Fucking perfect!”

Grinning and shaking her head, Grace reaches out to grab hold of one of Rylee’s hands.

“Yes, you did amazing,” she agrees. “Total champ at convincing us you’re not shit-faced. Let’s get you home to celebrate, yeah?”

Rylee’s green eyes suddenly go wide and she excitedly shouts, “Oh! Let’s get pizza. Have a pizza party! Come on, we’ve gotta order it before all the pizza stores close!”

She breaks free from Grace and stumbles toward the door, giggling. Grace and Skyler rush after her to try and catch her. Just as they reach the exit, the door swings open and Zander walks in.

“Hey, there he is!” I call out, raising a hand. Zander had dipped after the game to meet up with a relative who lives in the area, but had promised to meet up with us after.

Zander spots me and smiles, but before he can respond, Rylee — utterly oblivious — takes one wobbly step too close and bumps right into him. For a second, everything seems to freeze. Both of them stare into one another’s eyes silently.

Then, without warning, Rylee lurches forward and throws up all over Zander’s shoes and the front of his pants.

The bar goes quiet, but I can’t help it — I start laughing. Hard.

Rylee hiccups, swaying on her feet as she peers back up at Zander with glassy eyes.

“Oops… sorry.” She sniffs, then wrinkles her nose. “You smell. You should shower.”

Zander’s face twists into a look of pure rage, and I think he might actually lose it. I’ve never seen him blow up on anyonebefore off the ice — he’s way too good-natured and friendly. Grace jumps in, hands raised in apology before he can lay into Rylee.

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