Page 82 of Double Pucked

That’s my plan at least, but the second I head down Fillmore Street, Jasper’s by my side, keeping pace, his dumb man bun bouncing stupidly. “Monopoly money? Really? I thought you were more mature than that.”

I fume, jerking my gaze at him. “Who the hell are you to lecture me on maturity?”

“Who the hell are you to say it was wrong of me to make one mistake, then just go and take something that belonged to me? Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

Red plumes of anger billow through me. “Did you just equate cheating on me to taking your hockey tickets?”

“I did. You knew how much I wanted those tickets, and you just stole them. They’re worth a lot of money.”

The gall of him. “Did you need the money for rent, Jaspie?” I ask as we pass Effing Stuff, the mug shop. I’m fresh out of fucks to give, but I’d sure like to throw that mug at his stupid face. “Because that’s all you care about.”

“No, I care about meeting Weston and Samuels,” he says, and I want to shove a bar of soap in his mouth for having the nerve to breathe their names. He’s a little man brat, and they’re real men. “That was all I wanted. But the way I see it is we could be even, and I could just forget about it if you give the tickets back to me and I’ll go to the calendar kickoff,” he says, plastering on a nice voice.

I scoff.

But I’m mad at myself. What did I ever see in Jasper the Jackoff? “So that makes us even?”

I power walk down the block, the coffee shop in my crosshairs.

“Yes, and I think you should take my offer. Otherwise I could report you to the cops, you know.”

This guy.

I stop in my tracks in front of the shop, fueled by both righteous rage and utter disbelief. “The cops? Seriously? Do you even hear the words coming out of your mouth? Do you even listen to what you say?”

“Yeah, whatdidyou say?”

I turn around at the sound of Chase’s voice. He’s here in the doorway of the coffee shop along with Ryker, cups in hand.

Chase wears a blue Henley and jeans, his bulging muscles evident under the fabric. His brown eyes are fierce as he stares down at Jasper. Ryker is right next to him, a black T-shirt revealing all his tattoos.

“Oh!” Jasper blinks, then smooths a hand down his plaid shirt.Yes, Jasper tuck it in. That’ll impress them. “You guys are the best and I just really wanted to meet you.”

Jasper sticks out a hand. He actually offers his hand, like they’d want to shake it.

Ryker lifts a finger. “Yeah, we’re dying to meet you too. Let’s get out of the way though so we can chat some more.”

His tone is faux friendly and Jasper has no idea.

I’m flooded with anticipation as the two big, broad hockey players walk along the side of the shop to the parking lot behind it, coffee cups still in their hands.

Jasper follows them gleefully.

I do the same.

They stop on the asphalt, Jasper’s back’s to the wall of the coffee shop.

Ryker tilts his head to Jasper. “So she lifted your tickets. That sucks. What the hell?” he asks, staring at my ex with over-the-top concern.

It takes everything in me to keep a straight face as I stand a few feet away. I won’t reveal they’re on my side.

Jasper points at me,j’accusestyle. “Right? Can you believe it? She doesn’t even like hockey, and she stole my VIP experience! How could anyone do that?”

Chase shakes his head like he can’t believe it either. “Bro, that must have been so tough.”

Jasper sighs in relief. “I knew you’d understand. All I want is to come to the calendar kickoff. But hey, maybe you guys could score me some tickets. Help a fan out.”

He sounds so pathetically hopeful, and it’s wonderfully gratifying to witness. I wish I could record this to play it again.

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