Page 26 of Puck Daddies
The front door opens again. Hudson walks in first, hat low, hands in his coat pockets. Then Rocco, hair pushed back. Then Oliver, eyes already scanning the room for me. They stop just inside the threshold like they’re waiting to be waved in. The women who are still here clock them and start whispering. People recognize them. We don’t make a fuss when they come, but tonight is different. They’re the first men here in a sea of women.
Hudson keeps his head down and goes to the register. “We’re late.”
“It was a women-only event. You’re right on time.”
Rocco looks at the vendor tables. “Good turnout?”
“Better than expected.”
Oliver’s warm brown eyes find mine across the room. He doesn’t move toward me. He doesn’t smile too big. He just looks. My chest goes tight and then easier. I look back. I keep my hands on the counter.
Bex watches them and smirks. “We should charge admission for this part.”
“Don’t start,” I say, but I’m smiling.
“The crowd isn’t leaving, Meg. They’re here to gawk at them.”
I snort at that. “Let them gawk. Maybe they’ll buy more stuff.”
And they do. The more the women stare at my best friends, the more they loosen their wallets. I’ll take it. It’s for the bees. Also,my ego. It’s kind of hot seeing how much other women want them, knowing I have them.
Kinda.
When we finally close, I’m beat, but happy. The community really came through for us, and we all pitched in together. It was a good day, despite Luke’s best efforts. Oliver comes to the end of the counter and stops there, leaving space. “Proud of you.”
“Thank you.” I don’t move closer. He doesn’t either. We look at each other across the two feet of counter like it’s a rule we both remember. His mouth tilts. Mine does too. It feels like a conversation.
Aqua claps her hands once. “Alright, team. Walk-through for tomorrow morning?”
I let her handle the cleanup with everyone else while I post the thanks:You turned a rough morning into a good night. $1,000+ to Save the Bees so far. Thank you to our vendors. Next Thursday: shelter fundraiser. Details tomorrow.
My phone pings. Comments roll in fast.Proud of you.We were there; it was great.Ignore the noise. We’ll be back next week.
Hudson lifts his chin toward the back. “Trash run?”
“Yeah, sure.” He grabs bags and goes. Rocco wipes down tables. Oliver checks the back door lock, looks at the hinge Rocco fixed, and nods to himself.
When there’s nothing left for the guys to do without stepping on staff tasks, they drift to the front. Oliver stays by the door. Hudson hovers near the counter. Rocco leans on the wall. They aren’t crowding me. They’re here. I feel it. But we’re being discreet.
“Thanks for coming after,” I say.
Hudson shrugs. “Didn’t want to mess up your ‘No boys allowed’ rule.”
“Appreciated.”
Rocco nods toward the speaker. “Good playlist.”
“Bex’s.”
Oliver looks down at my hands. “You need ice?”
“No. I’m good.”
He nods. He’s the only one who sees the small tremor that hasn’t faded yet. He looks away so I don’t have to comment. We finish the close. Tom hands me the deposit bag. Aqua flips off the front lights. We all stand for a second in the dark until the emergency strip glows. It’s quiet.
We walk out together. Back at the apartment, I shower and put on a soft tee. The guys are quiet in the living room. The TV is on low. I stand in the doorway for a second and watch them not look at me. It’s a relief.
They know today was a lot, and they’re giving me space. I could kiss them for that. Instead, I announce I’m going to bed. They tell me goodnight, and the last of my strength nearly goes out of my spine. It’s time for rest, and I have more than earned it. In the guest room, I turn off the light and climb under the covers to stare at the ceiling.
