Page 36 of Puck'n Bully
I jump from my seat, grabbing a napkin. “Sorry—that was just—uhh, reflexes—”
“Reflexes?” He stares at me, trying to figure out what’s going on in my head. “Hayden, what’s wrong—"
“Come on,” I say, reaching Liam and yanking his arm to force him on his feet. “We’ve got to go.”
“Go where?” he demands angrily.
“Anywhere. I’ve got to hide you before he sees you.” My pulse thrums loudly in my ears. Fear and adrenaline course through me, making me focus on one thing alone.
Logan can’t know about this. He must not see me with Liam and assume the worst.
“Hayden, it’s okay,” Liam’s quiet voice makes me glance at him. He’s on his feet and staring at me with an icy expression. “You know that guy, don’t you?” He gestures toward Logan.
I swallow. I don’t want to tell him the truth but he sees it on my face.
“You don’t want anyone seeing us together.” He speaks softly but his tone is frigid. He takes a deep breath, his shoulders slumping. “I get it.”
I want to say something—anything. But before I have a chance, Liam turns around and walks away.
I want to run after him and explain to him that I can’t let my teammates know about me liking guys that way. That this has nothing to do with him.
It’s me. I’m the coward who’s afraid to lose the only thing he has in his life.
Hockey.
Liam walks toward a different section of the restaurant, ensuring he doesn’t cross paths with Logan and his girlfriend. He’s just...leaving.
Liam had just been smiling, happily telling me about his funny professors back home. And now...he’s walking away without bothering to turn around to look at me.
“You don’t want anyone seeing us together.”Liam’s voice sounds loud in my mind, choking me. I’m left standing alone, hands clenched, watching the only person who’s ever made me feel at home disappearing among a group of waiters.
“Hey, Bastian.”
Logan’s loud voice breaks the spell, snapping me back to reality. I barely have time to erase my expression when his heavy hand clamps on my shoulder.
“Didn’t know you’d be coming here,” Logan says, nodding toward the table. “Are you on a date too?”
A heavy weight sinks into my gut. My body stiffens while my brain goes into overdrive to come up with an explanation.
Liam is gone but the table is set with food for two. We’d ordered the same dishes, so there’s no way to lie about being here alone and not being caught. Liam’s chair is also pulled out, making things too obvious.
Realization spreads over Logan’s face as he notices the signs too.
“Nah, I’m too busy with shit to be dating anyone,” I say, forcing a loud, fake laugh. “I was just...uhh...studying.”
There’s not a book in sight, making it so damn obvious I’m lying to him.
“Studying?” he says slowly, meeting my gaze. “Here?”
I shrug, still forcing myself to act cool. “I just needed a change of scenery.”
“Right.” By now, both of us know I’m just spewing bullshit.
Logan glances at the second seat again, taking in the abandoned drink and a half-eaten bread roll on the plate. Taking a deep breath, he lets out a chuckle. “Damn, dude. I had no idea you took school so seriously.”
I force a grin. “Yeah. I’ve got to keep up my grades so they don’t kick me off the team.”
“Yeah, right. Like they’d ever benchyou. I might be the captain but you’re the golden kid scoring all our goals. I’d protest if they even tried to get you off the team.”
