Page 14 of One Pucking Destiny

I take a sip of my drink. “Well, you know what they say? Opposites attract.”

“You kid, bro,” Max scoffs. “If you wanted Betty, you would’ve done something about it by now. I think J-man is suggesting that you make it clear to her that you’ll never be interested so someone else has a chance.”

I release a small laugh. “Believe me, I have. What can I say? She’s persistent.”

“We need to find you someone else to celebrate your goal-winning victory with,” Jaden states. “Look around at all the options.”

“Nah, I’m not feeling a random hookup tonight.”

“Why not?” Max questions.

“Just not in the mood.” I take a sip of my drink.

Max leans in. “Is this still because of Book Girl?”

I shrug.

“Dude, it’s been a month. Let it go.” Jaden rolls his eyes.

“It’s not that easy,” I admit. “I told you, we had this insane connection. It was unlike anything I’ve felt before.”

“And we told you that she proceeded to sneak out while you were asleep because she didn’t want to exchange information. I’d say she was pretty clear. You need to move on.”

I hold my free hand up and nod. “I know, and I will. I am. Look… I’m just not in the mood for a hookup tonight. Plus, I’m fully capable of finding someone if I am. You two should worry less about me and more about yourselves. Okay?”

Jaden turns and sets his empty beer bottle on the bar, then motions to Betty for another. “I just think it’sweird that you haven’t hooked up with anyone since Book Girl.”

“And I think it’s weird that you care so much about my sex life. I mean, I know we’re close and all, but you two need to be less obsessed with me,” I tease.

“You know what? Screw you, Cookie. We’re just trying to help you out,” Jaden grumbles.

“I told you guys, I’m good.” Betty hands a bottle of beer to Jaden, and I turn to address her. “Hey, gorgeous, you know that offer you made me earlier? I think Jaden here would like to take you up on it.”

Betty laughs and looks at Jaden. “Sorry, babe. You’re just not my type.”

Max and I burst out in laughter as Betty retreats to the other end of the bar.

“Dicks, both of you.” Jaden frowns before he says with a huff, “How am I not her type?”

Max ruffles my hair. “I guess she likes ’em squeaky clean with butterfly tattoos like our Cookie here.”

I smack his hand away. “What can I say? When you got it, you got it?” I kid, plastering a smile on my face. Some of the other guys join us, and the conversation flows.

The night out with the guys is fun, as always, but a beautiful brunette has taken up permanent residence in my mind, filling my head with distractions, and it’s not Betty.

At this point, if I can’t have her, it’d be easier if she would vacate my brain. Yet forgetting her isn’t something I’m ready to do either.

CHAPTER

SIX

ARI

Some veterinarian students hate clinical days, but I live for them. Yes, they’re long and grueling. I’ve been up since five o’clock this morning, and my day has passed in a blur. I honestly can’t remember if I had a second to stop and eat lunch. A vague memory of stuffing a granola bar in my mouth as I hurried from one exam room to the next surfaces, but I can’t recall if that happened today or another day. This part of my schooling is seriously one big fever dream, and I love it.

The vet clinic where I work is on the outskirts of Lansing, the city that houses Michigan State University. While the city is a decent size, beyond its borders isnothing but miles of cornfields and farms, allowing me to see all manner of creatures. Today alone, I’ve seen a potbelly pig that swallowed an entire corn cob, a rooster that had part of his comb torn off in a fight with a fox, a guinea pig with a lack of appetite, a bunny that came in to get spayed, and a handful of cats and dogs with various ailments. There is never a boring day, and I get to love up on all sorts of animals. It’s a dream come true.

Only a few students were selected for this prestigious unpaid internship. The others in my class, including myself, start the school-affiliated clinicals at the university’s hospital next year, where animals come from all over Michigan and the surrounding states to be seen. The school specializes in farm animal care and surgeries, the most common being ACL tears in dog knees. I’m so grateful to gain this valuable experience in a small office setting before I move on to the big vet hospital next year.

---