Page 54 of Pucking Wild

The corner of Shelby’s mouth twitches with a smile. “You like her.”

“I don’t know her,” I admit, and fuck if that’s not the truth. Tess hasn’t told me a damn thing about what’s happening to her and why.

“Be careful with that one, Ryan” Shelby warns.

“Why?” I hear myself say.

“Because she’s not a bunny,” Shelby replies.

“You think I don’t know that? Women like Tess don’t end up with guys like me.”

Shelby tips her head to the side, appraising me. “Why do you say that?”

I go still, not realizing I said that out loud. “Come on,” I say, forcing a laugh. “Tess Owens is a total ten. She’s gorgeous and so fucking smart. She’s a high-powered corporate lawyer, Shelbs. She runs non-profits and saves endangered animals, and I’m…me,” I finish with a shrug.

Now Shelby is laughing. “Yeah, and you’rejustan NHL superstar. You’re smart and funny and handsome as heck. Oh, and in your free time, don’t you volunteer to coach youth hockey?”

“Sometimes.” I feel my cheeks heat at her praise. “I mean, when I can, I do.”

“Tess may be a ten,” Shelby goes on. “But I’m not convinced she’s WAG material.”

I glance sharply her way. “Well, if she’s not a bunny and she’s not a WAG, what is she?”

Shelby just gives me a knowing look. “She’s a cataclysm.”

I blink. “A catawhat?”

“Chaos walking,” she replies. “I have a feeling your Tess is a runner. She’s the kind of woman who loves you and leaves you in the same breath.”

“How do you know that?”

“I see the signs,” she replies. “You want my advice?”

I just shrug, knowing she’ll give it either way.

“Stay away from her, Ryan…unless you’re ready to suffer an epically broken heart.”

20

It’s all I can do to jerk the door open and climb inside the cab of the truck. My heart is racing, and I feel like I’m choking on air. Wow, this is all hitting me all at once. My body is a swirling vortex of thoughts and emotions.

“Good morning,” comes a deep voice.

Ilmari sits behind the wheel, his blond hair tied up in a knot. He wears a T-shirt and shorts like it’s not January and 55 degrees outside. Apparently, Finnish hockey players can’t feel the cold. Meanwhile, my tits are freezing. I should have added another layer.

I pull the door shut and drop my backpack down between my feet, choking on a sob. I can’t cry in front of this man. Notagain. Losing it on him the other night was bad enough. Jake is still walking around on eggshells like he’s afraid I’ll crack. He keeps offering me ice cream.

Ilmari’s eyes go wide. “Tess, what—”

“Drive,” I gasp, flailing wildly for my seatbelt as tears fill my vision.

“Tess—”

“Ilmari, drive!”

He doesn’t push me again; he just shifts the truck into reverse and pulls out of the driveway. In moments, we’re meandering through his quiet neighborhood, his gaze locked on the road.

I switch between crying and sucking down air as my phone buzzes in my pocket with more missed calls. I can’t stand the feel of it touching me. It’s as unwanted as Troy’s actual physical touch. Even from such a distance, he can still force his way on me.

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