Page 39 of Puck and Prejudice

“Really? I’m nervousforyou.”

He looks over his shoulder. “You’re nervous for me? I didn’t think you cared about hockey.”

I glance at the bouquet of flowers on the table. “Well… I suppose I got the bug now that the Lions are finally playing well.”

“So… you’re a fair-weather fan, then?”

“I wouldn’t say that. I’m just… anewfan.”

“Is that so? I assumed after everything that happened between Chad and Jane, and my hand in it, you’d hate the Lions.”

I look at him again. “Not everyone on the team is a jerkface, though. That wouldn’t be fair.”

His back becomes tense. “Are you referring to Wickham?”

I hadn’t thought about Gavin all this time, but since Jackson brought him up, maybe I can find out why there’s bad blood between them.

“What did Gavin ever do to you? Or should I ask, what didyoudo to him?”

“I can’t talk about it.” Jackson grabs a couple of plates and divides the omelet between them.

“Can’t, or won’t?”

He walks over carrying the plates. “Can’t. I had to sign an NDA.”

My spine goes rigid. I can’t imagine Jackson being forced to do anything he didn’t want to. “Who made you sign an NDA? Gavin?”

Jackson’s face is serious and hard. “No. And I can’t say who made me sign it. The agreement covered that too. All you need to know is that Wickham is not to be trusted.”

“Is that why you followed me the other night at Triana? So I wouldn’t spend time alone with him?”

Jackson stares at me for a couple beats, then says, “Eat your food before it gets cold.”

“God, you’re bossy.”

He goes back to the stove to fill our mugs with hot chocolate. When he returns to the table, his face isn’t as marble-like as before. “It’s why they made me captain.”

I shake my head, then take a bite of the food before me. It’s so good, I forget that he’s in the room and moan out loud.

“I guess I don’t need to ask if you like it.” He slides into the seat next to mine, and suddenly, I’m too aware of his presence.

“Don’t let that get to your head. I’m just really hungry.”

“If you say so.” He takes a bite and, like an idiot, I stare at his mouth. He notices, and after he swallows the food, asks, “What?”

I look away. “Nothing.”

We eat in silence, then I ask, “What’s your plan to get Jane and Chad back together?”

“We’re flying to Vancouver later today, so there’s really no time for them to meet beforehand.”

“Then I guess we’ll have to arrange it for when you return.” I lift the mug of hot chocolate and blow on it before taking a sip.

“Or she could come to Vancouver… actually, you should come with her.”

The hot chocolate goes down the wrong pipe, making me choke. I start to cough like crazy.

“Are you okay, there?”

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