Page 57 of One Pucking Destiny

Gorgeous or not, she’s driving me crazy. “Because.” I aim to keep my voice steady even though I’ve gone over these rules for what feels like a hundred times with mypartner, and in this game, I use that word lightly. “The bower of the same color of trump is the second-highest card in the game. Since hearts were called, the diamond bower is the second highest card.”

Ari throws her hands up. “What the fuck is a bower?”

“A jack!” Max, Jaden, and I say in unison.

She rolls her eyes. “This game is insanely dumb. It makes no sense.”

“It makes complete sense.” Jaden chuckles. “It’s not even fun for Max and me to win against you two. It’s like we’re playing with a pair of raccoons.”

“Hey.” I shoot him a glare.

He motions toward Ari. “It’s not your fault, man. You’re only as strong as your partner.”

“It’s not my fault either. This is the most confusing card game I’ve ever seen. It’s not even fun.” She tosses the rest of her hand into the pile in the center, signaling her defeat.

I set the remainder of my cards in the pile with the rest. I look across the table at Ari with a small smile. “It’s actually really fun when you understand it.”

“How have you never played? You’re from Michigan. This game is in our blood.”

She huffs out a breath. “It’s not in mine. Plus, when would I have played? It’s a four-person game, right? It was just me and my mom.”

“You would’ve played with friends. You had those, yes?” Jaden quips.

“None who wanted to playeuchre.” She spats out the name of the game as if she takes personal offense to it.

“Let’s do something else,” I offer. “This isn’t the last day of bye week vibes.”

“Definitely not.” Max leans back in his chair. “We have the pool and drinks.”

“Seems as good of a plan as any other.” I stand.

Jaden looks at me with an assessing stare. He raises his brows. “You sure you’ll be able to drink today, Cookie? Considering you about died yesterday.”

He has a point. The team likes to pick on one another for one stupid thing after the next, and it never really bothers me. Yet the complete lack of judgment I displayed yesterday is embarrassing as hell. I’m fully capable of knowing my limits and understanding that a bottle of whiskey isn’t meant to be chugged. I deserve all the shit the guys give me today.

Plus, he’s right. The last thing I want to do today isdrink alcohol. “If you must know, water is my beverage of choice today.”

He and Max exchange glances and burst out in laughter. I can’t even be annoyed with them. There’s no doubt I was quite the entertainment yesterday.

Ari gives me a look, and I can’t quite tell what she’s thinking, but she wears a mask resembling sorrow.

“Aw, Cookie.” Max punches my shoulder. “We’ve all been there.”

“Sure have.” Jaden shakes his head. “Anyway, can you guys believe we’ll be back to morning practices, drills, lifts, traveling, and games in just two days?”

I look at Jaden and Max as wide smiles spread across our faces. “Fuck yeah!” we holler.

“Can’t wait,” I say.

“Me either. I’m ready to get back to it.” Max nods.

Ariana stares blankly. “Hasn’t it only been one week?”

Jaden answers, “Yes, sweet Ari, but when you’re away from something you love, a week is a long time.”

“True story,” Max agrees, standing from the table.

The rest of us follow him, and we retrieve our beverages of choice from the bar. I stay true to my word and grab a water. Despite my choices yesterday, I normally have common sense.

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