Page 132 of Triple Pucked
The locals love this grungy slice of town with its tacky floors, dance floor, and stained wooden walls that are covered with paintings of Neve’s favorite Emo bands.
Freedom is a town with two sides: the wealthy, including the tourists, and those who are struggling but working hard.
Merchant’s Inn is at the heart of the working side of town.
Neve owns Merchant’s Inn.
I have been best friends with her since high school. She still wears the emerald and silver friendship bracelet that I made for her. She didn’t make one back. On the other hand, I know that if D’Angelo ever broke my heart, she’d be the first to turn up with a shovel in order to bury him.
And something sharp to cut off his dick.
I wrinkle my nose.
Actually, she has sent several graphic hand drawn stickmen pictures of exactly that scenario as a warning for D’Angelo.
Everybody needs a best friend who will go to dick war for them.
I guess that it’s not surprising that D’Angelo and her are still frosty with each other.
I seriously admire her, however, because she’s the type of tough person I only am in my dreams.
Once an outcast from this town and family simply for being bisexual — simply for being Neve — she didn’t run or hide.
She bought Merchant’s Inn and became the town’s fucking success story.
I glance over at the bar, where Neve is having to work tonight rather than being able to join us because her tiny but feisty bartender, Tom, is down with the flu. She is pulling beers like a pro.
Neve is my age with chestnut eyes and spiky midnight hair. She wears large, horn-rimmed glasses. Her rich brown skin glows bronze on her cheeks.
Neve is dressed in skinny jeans with a studded belt. Also, a black t-shirt with the wordsI LOVE EMO GIRLSwritten across it in red with a heart that’s dripping with blood.
Is that pretty, curvy blond, who is chatting to Neve at the bar, the nurse who Neve has been dating for months now? The first serious relationship she has had but still hasn’t introduced to us?
Lucy?
I catch Neve’s eye, before pointing at the hot blond questioningly. I give an approving thumbs up.
Neve quirks her brow, before giving me the finger.
I chuckle and give it back.
I can’t wait to meet Lucy, the adrenaline junkie who has managed to drag the least outdoorsy person I have known kayaking, mountain biking, and swimming with sharks.
When you love someone, you want to see the world from their eyes.
Even if that’s falling 120 miles per hour from a plane.
I’m scared that Lucy will givemyhot blond adrenaline junkie, Shay, ideas.
Neve has a resilience in everything she does that I admire. She doesn’t give a shit what people think about her or her life choices. I need to be the same with the haters, anti-fans, and everybody who would tear down my relationship with my men and the Bay Rebels.
I’llout-Nevethem.
I grin, trying to look tough.
How do I get my Neve on…?
I run my hand through my hair, pushing it back from my face. I’m dressed in a cotton turquoise dress and black heels.
