Page 15 of Pucking Grey

He hits my hand away playfully. “I always have your back.”

I put my pinky back up because I’m serious. I don’t want Ryan to know about Greyson. Ryan hates Greyson too. I don’t think anybody likes Greyson.

He grabs my pinky with his and says, “If you like Grey, maybe he’s not as bad as everyone says.”

I release his pinky, laughing, because I don’t know about that. Greyson sure does live up to the hype, but I don’t mention it. Fixing his reputation is the least I can do for him. “He’s good at hockey. I’ll give him that.”

“Come on,” Crew says. “Better than me?”

I shrug. “Better than you and Matt.”

“Oh-ho-ho-ho,” he chuckles. “Shoving me and my boy under the bus.”

I give him dead eyes. “He’s not your boy anymore. He made a porn with some girl, cheating on me. Aren’t I like your family?” I tease, being honest yet sarcastic. I wish he didn’t just say that.

Crew tries to say something and then retracts. He exhales, “You’re right. If he’s cheating on you, then he’s not my boy anymore. Family first.”

He shows me his knuckles, so I fist bump him.

“Thank you. It’s been really hard, Crew. That video –”

“But you have Grey now, right? He’s a good rebound. No commitments or strings. Hey, I get it. That’s what happened after I broke up with my ex.”

I tap the car door to the beat of the music while nodding. “Exactly a rebound.”

Greyson Cress is my rebound. What a perfect scenario.

Chapter 4

The home that my supposed fake girlfriend resides in is fucking ridiculous. Home decor everywhere – on the walls, the couch, the table, the kitchen counters. This shit is out of control. And Crew lives here with them?

“Hey guys,” Sydney smiles. She opened the door for us, and I’m the last one in because I drove alone. It’s my escape plan in case I need to rush out. Sydney leads us to the open living room with the tall ceilings. I don’t feel too big for a house for once.

“Where’s Crew?” Wyatt asks.

“He’s gonna be here soon,” Sydney says, glancing at Matt with hatred. A look I know too well. Sydney didn’t care for me when she realized that kissing me at a party two years ago meant absolutely nothing to me. Talk about a puck bunny not willing to fuck. She’s kissed a few of us here. I guess she’s trying to find Prince Charming on the team.

I try to find where the bedrooms are so that I can get to Madison.

As I’m looking around, the front door opens, and Madison walks through. I study her body language because I can immediately tell she’s in a good mood. Her hair is down, she’s smiling, and she’s looking behind her. She has no idea I’m here. She’s laughing and comfortable with whoever she’s talking to. Crew fucking Nixon walks in behind her with the same attitude. They’re holding grocery bags and helping each other with a case of beer. She’s holding one end while he holds the other. What kind of domestic shit is this? I glance at Matt who is fuming as much as I am. His eyes flick to mine, his jaw clenched. I walk over to her and grab the box of beers from them. I can’t stand to witness this. She says to Crew, “Yeah, right. Your mom loves me. She’d never say that.”

“You’re right,” Crew beams back at her.

I drop the beer aggressively on the counter, cutting off the conversation.

Crew shakes his head, greeting the other guys.

Madison digs in the bags.

Crew points over at her. “Maddie, start those pizza bites.”

She clicks her tongue when I turn to her. Maddie? The friendly basis is on my nerves right now. I don’t believe men and women can be friends. Fuck no. He’s always going to be waiting for a piece of her. “Yes,” she replies. I hate that she’s obeying his command. What the fuck? She turns to me with her gentle expression. Crew clearly makes her happy. “Go enjoy the game, Greyson. I’ll be right there.”

“I can help,” I offer.

She shakes her head. “It’s okay. Go enjoy the game.”

I don’t move an inch as I watch her work around the kitchen, doing absolutely everything to serve us food. Sydney’s not even in here to help. I get the idea Madison likes this kind of shit.

---