Page 22 of In My Hockey Era
One girl—with a particularly ample chest—is wearing a T-shirt that declares her part of the Puck Bunny Social Club.
I inwardly cringe.Do people have no shame?!
“And what better way to start than with a special live discussion, co-hosted by our very own Bennett Wilder and one of our most passionate fans, Lucy Quinn!”
There’s applause.Bennett grins like this is the best thing to ever happen to him.I swallow the urge to groan.
Vivian steps aside, and suddenly all eyes are on us.Onme.
Bennett leans toward his mic.“So, Lucy, should we start with general thoughts?Maybe on how much youlovedthis book?”
I shoot him a look.“Yeah, sure.Let’s talk about themanyways this book made me want to set it on fire.”
Laughter ripples through the room.Bennett presses a hand to his chest like I’ve wounded him.“Wow.That’s how we’re starting?”
“Would you rather I lie?”
“I’d rather you admit it wasn’tthatbad.”
“Then you’re in for a long night, Wilder.”
His grin widens.“Can’t wait.”
And just like that, we’re back in it.Back to the banter, back to the bickering.Back to the way it feels like the whole room disappears when he looks at me like that—like he’s enjoying every second of this.
Like he’s enjoyingme.
God help me.
“I liked how the author balanced the emotional beats with the pacing of the game scenes,” Bennett says, leaning forward slightly.“There’s this moment where the main character realizes he loves herwhilehe’s playing, and it messes with his focus—that felt real to me.I mean, obviously, I don’t have secret, unspoken feelings for anyone that are destroying my ability to function—”
I snort, and he flicks his gaze to me, grinning.
“—but I know what it’s like when something outside of hockey gets in your head.”
I cross my arms.“So, you’re saying yourelatedto a romance novel?”
His smirk doesn’t waver.“I’m saying it was well-written.Maybe you should give the author some credit.”
The group laughs, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.But as the discussion continues, I can’t deny it—he reallydidread the book.And what’s worse, his insights aregood.Thoughtful.He actuallygetswhy people love these stories.
Which makes me incredibly annoyed.How very mature of him.
I steal a glance over at Vivian at one point, and she looks absolutely thrilled at the level of fan engagement our bickering is bringing in.
By the time the event wraps up, I’m more than ready to escape.I gather my things, slipping my phone into my bag, when I hear Bennett’s voice at my side.
“Hey, Quinn.”
I glance up, expecting more teasing, but instead, he looks… almost serious.His hands are shoved into the pockets of his jacket, his expression just a little too casual.
“Yeah?”
“You wanna grab a drink?”
I blink.“A drink?”
“Yeah.You know, liquid refreshment.Something cold.Usually served in a glass.”
