Page 105 of The Pucking Wrong Rookie

“No phones on set,” I snapped as Camden also started taking pictures.

“That was a funny joke,” said Ari as the director called for me to pick up the burger again.

“Please don’t send it to Lincoln,” I hissed as I grabbed the burger and slowly brought it to my mouth. I was probably never going to be able to eat burgers after this. I was going to be too traumatized.

Ari got a weird glint in his eye at the mention of Lincoln. “Just for that, I’m taking more.” And he started snapping away. Fuck, I shouldn’t have brought him up.

I bit into the burger and chewed. At least it didn’t taste terrible.

“Magnificent,” the director drawled, his voice going up an octave.

“I can really feel your passion,” Camden called out. I flipped him off when the director turned his back.

It continued like this for the rest of the session. Me pretending to make love to a burger, while Ari and Camden destroyed me.

The director clasped his hands together when he was finally happy with the session. “Logan, darling, you weretranscendent. Your friends were right—your passion is palpable.”

“Thanks,” I muttered, not sticking around as I all but ran back to the dressing room, Ari and Camden’s laughter following me the whole way.

* * *

The next day at practice—our last one before Game Seven, might I add—I walked into the locker room, where the whole team was gathered around the big screen, laughter echoing off the walls.

My stomach dropped. Fuck no.

There, playing on a loop for everyone to see, were the pictures Ari and Camden had taken of me in all their glory. I grimaced as one popped up of me leaning in, eyes half-closed, like I really was trying to make love to the burger.

“There’s our star now!” Camden called out, barely able to get the words out between his laughter. Ari was doubled over, clutching his sides, while Walker had actually fallen to the floor, tears in his eyes.

Lincoln leaned against the wall, grinning. “You really gave it your all, Rookie. Didn’t hold anything back.”

“Look at the way he caresses it!” Ari said between his hystericalgiggling, pointing at the screen. “Such a gentle lover!”

I groaned, running a hand over my face. “Kill me now.”

Lincoln clapped me on the back, still chuckling. “I hope it paida lot.”

“It did,” I muttered, although with everything I’d had to go through, I’d decided it wasn’t nearly enough to pay for the dignity I’d lost.

“Next time you need money, York,” Lincoln said, still grinning, “maybe just ask one of us instead of making out with a cheeseburger on national TV.”

“Noted,” I said, shaking my head. “But hey, at least I looked good,” I said hopefully.

“I’m sure Sloane will think it's very sexy,” Ari agreed mockingly.

I growled at him before moving to get dressed for practice. My only solace was that my bank account was now filled and ready to continue makingpayments.

Sloane really needed to fall in love with me soon.

CHAPTER26

LOGAN

The phone buzzed in my pocket, and when I saw the name on the screen, I didn’t want to answer. But I’d learned over the years, that only made my father more aggressive—when he didn’t feel like my first priority. I pressed the phone to my ear, already feeling the tension tightening in my chest.

“Logan.” My dad’s voice came through the line, smooth and commanding, as if he were about to announce something that everyone should stop and listen to. “I’ll be at Game Seven with a television crew. They’re making a documentary on me, and they want to capture this moment.”

I clenched my jaw, feeling the familiar knot of frustration build in my gut. I bet the cameras were on him right now. He always found a way to make everything about him. Of course, he’d be usingmyStanley Cup Final for his own spotlight. I took a breath, steadying myself before I responded.

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