Page 23 of Forbidden Puck
“Ooh, that sounds fun. What's Radar doing tonight?”
“Uh, I think he said he's doing his own thing.”
“We should invite him out with us anyway!”
“Yeah, sure,” Lance said skeptically, and I could tell he was a bit jealous. It always amused me thatLance was allowed to hit on my friends constantly, but if I ever saidhito any of his friends in the wrong tone of voice? He went into a tizzy.
I decided to throw a little fuel on the fire.
“Radar's just such ahunk,” I said dramatically.
Right on cue, Lance shook his head at me, looking all gruff and serious. “Don't even joke about that, Ella.”
“What? I'm not supposed to notice that your teammate is hot? He's so tall and muscular and good-looking. I really think we hit it off last night. Since his name is Ryan Ryder, does anyone call him RyRy? No? I should call him RyRy. It's a cute name; cute, just like him.”
Lance was steaming. “Iknowyou're just trying to piss me off right now. It's not funny though, okay? My protective older brother instinct starts kicking in and shit and I don't like it.”
“Wait, you're implying that you actuallyhave an instinct to protect me?” I laughed.
“Fromhim?Yeah. I will if I have to.”
“What's so bad about Radar?” I asked innocently.
Of course, I didn't have to ask. Radar seemed like a nice enough guy, but let's be real. All the money and fame that comes from playing a sport professionally goesstraightto these guys' heads. So yeah, if you're into vain, self-obsessed guys with room-temperature IQs, who can barely hold a conversation unless it's about hockey, who will cheat on you the first time some big-boobed, starry-eyed bimbo gives him the look … then go ahead, knock yourself out, try to date a hockey player. Me? I wouldn't even bother. Even if he seemed like a decent guy, I was sure that Radar hadsomething fucked up about him.
“Let's not get into it,” Lance said. “I'll just say this: the guy goes through women. So don't even pretend you think he's cute. I don't want to have to worry about—ugh—anything happening.”
I rolled my eyes.Nothingwas going to happen in the first place, and I couldn't believe Lance even entertained the idea that he had something to worry about.
“You really have no idea why I'm acting like I have a crush on Radar, do you?” I asked as we sampled one couch after another.
He tilted his head at me inquisitively. “Hm?”
“Quinn?” I asked simply, trying to jog his memory.
His eyes searched upward as he searched his memory bank. “Should that name mean something to me?”
I tutted loudly. “Uh, yeah. It should.”
“Remind me.”
“Last time I visited you, two years ago, when you were living by yourself? I brought Quinn, mybest friend and roommate, to visit. And after you started blatantly hitting on her, I pleaded with youbothnot to do anything. But, you wouldn't listen—because'pussy'—and she was too blinded by the novelty of sleeping with a pro athlete. That trip was a train-wreckfor me and I'm still mad about it, honestly.”
“Ooooh,” Lance nodded gravely. “Crazy Quinn.Yeah. I remember her.”
“You call herCrazyQuinn?!” I punched his arm. “You dick-head!”
“Uh,yeah,I do! You should've the barrage of texts she sent me every day. I was afraid to reply to a single one, 'cause that would only encourage her to send me more.”
“Lance, she sent you texts because you told her you loved her and then you ghosted her. That'd make any girl go crazy …”
“I neversaid I loved her, Ella, that's bullshit.”
“I wish I could believe you.”
“I only knew her for what, three days? A man can't fall in love with a woman in three days!”
I tutted. “I wouldn't be mad if youactuallyfell in love with her. I'd be mad if you told my best friend you loved her just so you could fuck her.”
