Page 61 of Puck Right Off

Ihave no idea what I’ve done wrong to make Jordyn avoid me like this. I understood her wanting to spend time with Chelsea but thought things would change Monday morning.

I waited in our usual seats with her favorite coffee in hand. She slid in it one minute before the Professor started class, giving me a quick, grateful smile as I handed her the coffee. Then, she proceeded to ignore me the entire class.

When class was over, she said she needed to talk to Jessica about tutoring schedules and being overbooked. I waited a few minutes until Alex pulled me away, asking me what was happening with her. I shrugged, looking over my shoulder before I said, “No idea, man. She’s avoiding me, but I can’t figure out why.”

After practice, my phone beeped with a notification. She canceled my tutoring session with her with a note stating Jessica could assist if I needed help.

I marched home, but she wasn’t there. I paced the floors, waiting for her to arrive. She finally did, but of course,Josh was there, and she headed straight to her room, claiming she’d had a long day and was tired. I tried to sneak into her room, but she locked the door. I could’ve gotten in but decided to leave her alone for the night.

I woke up the next day, determined to talk to her, but she was gone before I left for the gym. I texted her but didn’t receive a response, which really pissed me off.

“What’s up with you?You look like you could kill anyone who glances at you.” Alex falls in step with me in front of the rec center.

Opening the door, I gesture for him to go first, then step in behind him. “Jordyn’s avoiding me.”

Alex stops, his brows furrowing. “Why?”

“No idea. But it’s pissing me off.”

Alex opens the door and gestures for me to head inside. The front desk attendant opens the door to let us in, and as we head down the hallway, he asks, “How long has this been going on?”

“Since we returned from the away game. Chelsea was there, so I gave them some space. But you saw how late she was to class yesterday. Then, she made an excuse to talk to the other tutor, Jessica. She canceled my tutoring session with her last night with a note that said Jessica could help if I needed assistance and has ghosted me ever since.”

“Are you tracking her phone?”

I stare at Alex in surprise. “What?”

“Oh, Jesus.” He shakes his head. “The way you’re so nuts over that girl, I figured you’d be tracking it.”

“Sounds kinda obsessive.”

Alex raises his brows. “Aren’t you?”

“Yeah, maybe I’m obsessed. But tracking her seems out of line.”

As we head up the steps, Alex says, “Does it feel out of line now that you have no idea where she is?”

“You’re right. I’m tracking her phone as soon as our workout is done.”

CHAPTER 36

Tristan

Once again, I could barely focus on practice, which cost me. Coach Jensen put me through the wringer, making me run through drills repeatedly. Alex smirked at me and whispered at me to get my head in the game and off pussy. I tried unsuccessfully to focus.

As I skate off the ice, anxiety courses through me. The fear of Jordyn being a distraction is coming true. I don’t like it, but I can’t walk away from her.

As soon as practice ends, I rush through my shower and change into sweatpants and a long-sleeved tee before racing out. Alex shakes his head but knows better than to say anything, especially with Josh suddenly paying attention to me. During practice, he commented about me being distracted and asked what was wrong. I lied and told him I was struggling because of the anniversary of my parents and sister’s deaths, which was only a week away. Thankfully, he seemed to accept my response.

I stare at the dot on the app, which shows Jordyn’s phone’s location. I rush inside the rec center and head toward the room offering a group fitness class. Jordyn’sblonde hair glistens beneath the fluorescent lighting as she heads toward the restrooms. I drag her into the first available room, which happens to be one of the supply closets.

“Jordyn, I need to know what the hell is going on.” Running a hand through my hair, my breaths rasp from my lungs from sprinting over here. “Why are you avoiding me?”

Her eyes drop to my chest. Crossing her arms over her chest, she chews on her bottom lip, not saying a word.

“Did I do something wrong?”

Her gaze lifts to mine, and the sadness in her aqua eyes guts me. “No.” She shakes her head, her blonde ponytail whipping back and forth. “It’s just… I think we’re moving too fast.”

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