Page 27 of Getting the Grinder
“You are for me.” She rests her chin on her hand, grinning. “By the end of this, I’ll have you posting about how you’d crawl through broken glass just to kiss my filthy, unmanicured feet.”
I glare at her across the small table. “What’s your handle? I have to follow you.”
“I’m MaraTorres19 on all of them.”
“What’s the nineteen for?”
“My favorite constitutional amendment.”
I roll my eyes. “Nerd.”
“Caveman.”
I pick up my menu. “Me hungry, so figure out what you want to order.”
“I think we need pet names for each other.”
I slump in my seat, dreading what she’ll come up with.
“Mine should be about your ass, because obviously,” she says.
I sit up straighter. “Obviously what?”
She lowers her brows. “You’re going to make me say it? It’s a great ass. There.”
“You like my pro dumper?”
She wrinkles her nose. “Why did you just ruin it?”
“No, not like that. That’s what we call a strong ass in hockey.”
“I’ve noticed other guys on the team have decent asses, but yours is exceptional. Don’t let it go to your head, though.”
“You want me to sign a picture of it for you?”
She scoffs. “No.”
“I should call you my little habanero.”
Her jaw drops. “Fucking racist. I’m about to raise my price.”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I meant like because you’re hot and spicy.”
“Uh-huh. And I’ll call you my little Neanderthal.”
I focus on the menu, fighting my urge to keep escalating the argument. That’s usually our style. We both want to get the last word in. But that’s Mara all the time, and I’m not like that with anyone but her.
Conflict gives me anxiety--unless it's with her. Weirdly, I enjoy our interactions, even when she frustrates the hell out of me. It’s kind of an outlet.
“We can easily get away without meeting each other’s families because we can say things are still new,” I say. “But I’ll need you for some holiday stuff with my team. There’s an ugly sweater party Wednesday evening. Can you make that?”
“Sure.” She meets my gaze. “As long as I get to pick out your sweater.”
I sigh softly. “Fine. You won’t be able to shock my teammates. Better pick one fast, or it won’t be here on time.”
“It’ll be fine. You can do expedited shipping.”
I guess this is my life now. Playing hockey and amusing Mara. But it won’t be forever. We can fake a hot and heavy relationship for a month and then say she dumped me and I’m devastated. That should buy me time with Anson.
