Page 30 of Puck You Very Much

“No,” she stated simply, “I’m not sleeping my way through Los Angeles, I never told any child to drop out of school, and I have yet to give any journalist the middle finger. So different rules apply to me.”

“No, I don’t think so. The way I see it, Lucy, you’re at my mercy,” he replied, in a voice that was unsettlingly friendly. “I’ve behaved for the last week and Leslie must be incredibly happy about it. However, I’m fickle and who knows how things might be next week?” He sighed theatrically. “You simply can’t rely on me.”

Lucy pursed her lips. “I’m sure I’ll regret asking, but what the hell do you want from me, exactly?”

“Nice of you to ask.” He grinned broadly before stating matter-of-factly, “It’s simple: If I’m not allowed to date, then you’re not either.”

An awkward laugh escaped her lips. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. It’s only fair.”

She flipped him off. “What utter nonsense. I can do whatever I want.”

“No,” was his simple reply and he leaned forward with his eyes narrowed. “You want me to be a good boy and it’s up to you to help me. It’s like, on the flip side, men who give up red meat and alcohol for their pregnant wives.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief. “But you’re not pregnant and I’m not your husband!”

He waved his hand. “A technicality. The same principle should apply here.”

“Why?” she asked in disbelief.

“Because it distracts me.”

“It distracts you when I date?”

“I’m distracted by the thought that someone is dating and I can’t.”

“Oh, good God.” She let her head fall against the backrest behind her. “You’re absolutely ridiculous and I’m sticking with my original statement: I can do whatever I want. But, if it’ll make you feel better, I’m not dating Jack, of course, because he’s a player and I don’t date players.”

“Right,” Dax murmured, tilting his head thoughtfully. He opened his mouth…but said nothing, just stared at her indecisively for a while. Finally, he asked quietly, “Would you go out with him if things were different?”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Um…I don’t know. Why is that relevant?”

He suddenly turned his face away and leaned back into the seat. “It’s not,” he replied tersely.

Confused, she stared at his profile. “So,” she said slowly, when the silence between them grew too thick, “since you were speaking about last week, I wanted you to know I’m actually grateful. You were fantastic. At the hospital. At the meet-and-greet. That helped me out immensely.” The corners of her mouth twitched. “But I still won’t be celibate just because you have to be.”

“Mm-hm,” he said again before turning his face back to her, frowning. “What were you two talking about?”

“What? Who?” she asked innocently, although it was immediately clear to her what Dax was getting at.

He looked at her darkly. “You and Jack. At practice last week.”

“Oh, that.” She nodded and smiled. “Mostly, we talked about you.”

He bolted upright. “What?”

Her smile broadened. “You’re an interesting topic of conversation, Dax. And now, would you be kind enough to move? I want to finish writing this press release.” She gestured to her laptop.

“What did you say about me?” he replied, ignoring her request.

“This and that,” she said vaguely. “But, Dax, you should concentrate on tomorrow, not what I talk about or what I do behind closed doors with the men of my choosing…” She raised her eyebrows meaningfully. “You shouldn’t think about anything other than the fact that tomorrow is the first game of the season. The first game you play alongside Jack West, your declared nemesis. That you have to harmonize with Jack so that no one can say management made the wrong decision. And how you’re going to fall in line.”

Dax didn’t answer. His brow was furrowed and his chin lowered. He looked…tense.

“Oh,” she said quietly, her heart sinking a notch. “You’re already thinking about nothing else, aren’t you?”

He raised the corners of his mouth cynically. “There’s not much else to keep me busy, is there?” he asked, his voice harder than before. “After all, every day someone reminds me how important tomorrow’s game is.”

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