Page 80 of Zero Pucks

I had no idea what that was like. My parents were hands-off, even when I needed them desperately. I wasn’t sure how I would have survived without my sister, and I was pretty sure we were as put together as we were by sheer luck.

“Does anyone know?” I asked.

“Hugo,” Boden said with a scoff. “Jacob. He’s the owner,” he clarified when I frowned. “Hugo has connections with the PPHL committee. My dad thinks he can convince Hugo to throw his weight around and get me drafted to a professional team. Or, if that fails, at least get me back in the Paralympics.”

“Isn’t that what you want?”

Boden thumped himself on the chest. “On my merits. Not his. It’s bad enough I was born a disappointment to him. I had to go and fuck up my chance to be great. And then Hugo had to be there at the fucking bar when—” He stopped abruptly and shook his head. “Shit, I’m so sorry. I don’t need to dump this on you.”

I waved him off. “I asked.”

His face shifted, sobering, and he gave me a long, considering look before changing the subject. “Are you really going to leave soon?”

I felt a little off-kilter at the abrupt question, but I found myself shrugging. “That was the plan.”

“Was?”

He caught that, did he? I glanced behind me and still didn’t see Tucker anywhere. “Canyoukeep a secret?”

Boden nodded.

“If he asked me to stay, I probably would. I don’t have anything left back there for me except my job, and even that’s kind of shit. I could do IT here. I could find a job anywhere I want to live. I just…I guess I want to be somewhere I’m wanted. But please don’t tell him that. He’ll ask me even if he doesn’t want it.”

Boden bit the insides of his cheeks, making them hollow, then let go. “I get it. But maybe drop a hint or two. Tucker isn’t used to people who like him as much as you do. He’s not always very kind to himself. A little push won’t hurt.Ifyou really think this could be something,” he added.

I hoped it could. I was desperate for it, in fact. But I was also afraid to get my hopes up only to have them crushed.

“He’s coming,” I said when I heard Tucker’s footsteps. “I can hear him.”

The front door opened a second later, and Tucker appeared, looking a little frantic. He cast an accusing stare at Boden, then walked over, gripped me by the chin, and kissed me. I saw stars, my ears buzzed, and my heart began to thunder in my ears from the force of it.

When he pulled back, Boden was already walking up the ramp and through the front door.

“Trying to sneak out on me, sweetheart?”

I rolled my eyes as I shifted over and made room for him. He nestled beside me, folding his metal ankles together as he rocked us gently back and forth. “I wanted to help. He looked sad. Really sad.”

“I’msad,” Tucker said, pouting his lower lip.

I laughed and leaned in, giving it a small peck. “Yes, and I like you best. But I also know what it’s like to be completely alone. I was trying to be nice.”

Tucker stared at me, eyes wide, expression unsure. He let out a breath, then said, “Stay.”

My heart sped up. Was he asking? Was he really wanting me to?—

“I want to wake up with you tomorrow.”

Ah. For the night. My heart crashed down, but the sting only lasted a second, and I smiled, nodding. “I’m here for as long as you want me.”

He licked his lips, then picked up my hand and kissed the center of my palm. “Come on. I have a promise to fulfill. Your ass, my dick. Lots of lube and a box of condoms.”

My body heated like I was about to spontaneously combust, and it was with shaking legs and a weak grip that I stood up, let him take my arm, and tug me back into the house.

CHAPTERNINETEEN

TUCKER

In bedwith Amedeo was the only place I wanted to be ever again. Nothing compared to the way his skin felt against mine. We took our time, moving slowly to undress and trading easy kisses as I peeled away his shirt and pants.

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