Page 23 of Puck and Prejudice

Jesus. It’s like she drank the “hockey is the best” Kool-Aid. I open my mouth to retort, but then shouts erupt all around us.

I turn to the ice. I’m not sure what’s happening, but a bunch of players are involved in a scrum near the Lions’ goal. “What’s going on?”

Caroline curls her lips upward. “Hockey players being hockey players. That’s what I meant about them being real men, especially Jackson.”

Oh dear. Now I get what this is all about. Caroline clearly has a crush on Chad’s best friend. They’d be a perfect couple—two condescending assholes together. But I want to be sure, so I ask, “Why Jackson specifically?”

“Because he’s a beast. And I love that about a guy. He doesn’t know it yet, but we’re destined to be together.”

I want to say something, but nothing comes to mind. I’m also surprised by how her certainty makes me feel sort of down. Why do I care if that jerkface gets together with Chad’s bitchy sister? I just feel sorry that Jane will have Caroline as her sister-in-law and maybe Jackson as her brother-in-law.

It dawns on me that if Jackson marries Chad’s sister, he’ll also be inmylife forever. Son of a bitch.

ChapterTen

JACKSON

Spirits were high in the locker room. We didn’t just win our first game against the Vancouver Vikings, we conquered them. Chad got his first playoff shutout, which earned him the puck of the game.

Our next game is in two days, so tonight we’re celebrating at Triana again. Everyone loves the atmosphere, and sure, I didn’t have the best experience last time, but I’m choosing to give the place a second chance.

Chad invited Jane and Izzie to come. I thought for sure Izzie would decline. But she surprised me by tagging along, and she’s now sitting across from me, sandwiched between two of my oldest friends, Frederico Tavares, a forward for the Miami Stars Futbol Club, and Grayson Knight, the Miami Mavericks QB. Both are easy on the eye and popular with the ladies, and I find myself somewhat bothered that they’re giving Izzie far too much attention.

Caroline, who’s sitting next to me, touches my arm. “How’s your jaw, Jacks?”

“What?” I turn her, surprised by her question.

“Your jaw. That Viking thug got you good.”

I shrug. “I can’t feel a thing.”

“That’s surprising, since it’s swollen and already turning purple,” Izzie pipes up.

I didn’t know she was paying attention to me. I’m weirdly pleased.

“He most likely isn’t lying,” Grayson chimes in, sporting a smirk. “Darcy can take a beating.”

I groan. “Don’t remind me of that incident.”

“What incident?” Caroline asks. “I want to know.”

“It’s nothing.” I glare at my friend.

Grayson laughs. “Don’t give me that look. You’re the one who mentioned theincident.”

“That’s not fair,” Caroline whines. “You can’t tease me with juicy gossip about your past and not follow through.”

“I didn’t realize I was teasing you.” I take a large sip of my beer to avoid being rude to her.

Caroline’s a bit spoiled, and not great company, but I endure her from time to time for Chad’s sake.

“It happened when Darcy and Knight were visiting me in London,” Frederico chimes in. “I had just signed a contract with Arsenal, and we were out celebrating.”

“For fuck’s sake.” I pinch the bridge of my nose.

“We went pub crawling and bumped into a group of Manchester United fans. They recognized me and started being assholes. There were six of them against us three. Jackson didn’t care that we were outnumbered.” Frederico shakes his head and smiles. “Good times.”

“But what happened?” Caroline asks.

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