Page 13 of Puck'n Bully
Completely sated, I lie down on the bed. My muscles feel so slack, I don’t even have the energy to grab the box of tissues from my bedside table. The day’s exhaustion washes over me, forcing me to close my heavy eyelids.
I wanted a shower before bed but I don’t want to bother with one right now.
Reaching inside the pocket of my shirt, I bring out a familiar charm bracelet. The tiny silver broomsticks gleam in the glow of the bedside lamp.
I’d stolen the bracelet from Liam and kept it with me like a souvenir.
I even had it in my pocket when I played the game tonight. It was like a constant reminder of him.
But Liam is here now, my mind whispers.You don’t need this anymore to remind you of him.
Even though I know it’ll be risky, I can’t stop thinking about Liam.
I’ve never wanted anything or anyone so badly in my life.
I just have to play it smart, I decide, putting the bracelet back in my pocket. Because one way or another, Iwillhave him.
5
Hayden
My gaze scans over the cafeteria as I walk ahead, searching for a familiar face.
“Hayden, where the hell are you going?” someone calls from behind me. “We’ve already got a table right here.”
I halt, jerking over my shoulder to find my teammates gathered around our usual table. Logan Johnson, the team captain, gestures at me with an impatient look.
Hauling my gym bag over my shoulder, I drag my feet over to them.
“What’s with that look, Bastien?” Mitchikov says with a laugh.
“You’re all sweaty,” I mutter, continuing to gaze at the crowded tables in the cafeteria.
“As if you’re fresh from the shower and smelling like a meadow,” Mitchikov throws at me, grinning.
We’ve all come from an intense workout session at the gym and I’m as sweaty as the rest of my teammates. Grinding my teeth, I drop my bag and grudgingly take the empty seat beside him.
“I need some coffee,” Henderson, our left winger, groans as he rubs his eyes. “I barely got any sleep last night. I wish Coach gave us a break today.”
“He knows we were up late partying last night,” Logan says, gulping down a bottle of energy drink. “He can’t stop us from having fun, so he makes sure we regret it.”
A collective groan rises from the table.
Unlike my teammates, I slept rather well last night. I woke up feeling refreshed and thoroughly enjoyed the strength training session with Coach this morning.
“Let’s go grab some food,” Logan says, getting to his feet. “I’ve got classes to attend this afternoon.”
I stand up as well, wanting to eat quickly so I can go back to the dorm to finish up an assignment. Following Logan, I head toward the counter but just as I get closer, my eyes catch sight of a familiar figure at a nearby table.
Liam twirls a pen in his long, slender fingers while his gaze is firmly fixed on a book before him. A smile bubbles on my lips at the sight of him but it quickly fades when I see he’s not alone.
Some guy, a preppy-looking business major type, sits across from him and gazes at him with a dreamy look in his eyes. Liam writes something down on a piece of paper, unaware of the guy’s attention.
My stomach twists at the sight.
Liam points at something in the book and the guy slides closer to him to take a look. His shoulder bumps against Liam’s and he smiles.
Anger, hot and swift, surges through me.
