Page 246 of Wrong Pucking Player

She looks surprised at my open arms before she shyly admits, “I’m… not used to hugs.”

“You’re not?” I blink a few times. “Do you not like being touched?”

“Not necessarily…” She hesitantly looks back at me before she swallows. “Just… as long as it’s not a long hug. Those make me panic since…”

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, Katherine. It’s fine.”

She shakes her head and uncrosses her arms.

Taking a deep breath, she lets it out.

“Frankie used to bandage me up in restraining jackets and shit. I won’t dive into it. Loads of trauma to unpack, but it makes it hard for me to enjoy hugs.”

Oh, Katherine…

“W-We don’t have to—”

“No. I want to. I… don’t…” Seeing her struggle for words is so rare to witness. “I don’t want to lose you as a friend, Andrews.”

“You won’t lose me as a friend, Katherine. You’ve supported me in any way you can and even revealed things no one else would have taken the initiative to share. I want you to believe that I’m here for you as you are here for me. You’re not losing me as a friend. Trust me,” I vow and offer her my pinky. “Why don’t we start with a pinky hug?”

“Pinky hug?” she whispers. “I can do that.”

“Then pinky hug it is,” I declare just as she reaches up with her lifted pinky to wrap around mine. “See. It’s nice, right?” I give her the biggest smile.

“Yeah.” Her smile makes her whole face light up. “Can’t wait for all of this to be over. Maybe then we can enjoy a vacation all together.”

“That would be awesome.” Heck, maybe I can go to Moscow and find my family. “Group trip it is. Once the season is done.”

She nods and reaches for her purse to pull out a pink flask.

“Now, time to drink my sorrows away and wardrobe change.”

“You brought a flask? How did that get through security?” I exclaim. “What’s in there.”

The way she grins makes me arch an eyebrow.

“Strong shit,” she warns. “It’ll make you either completely wasted or a badass bitch.”

“I seek the badass bitch path, please,” I announce with a raise of my hand. “Matched with the second dress I brought, I want Armani and Cyrus Jr. salivating.”

That makes her laugh.

“Alright, just drink a swig of it. You’ll feel it in a bit, but I’ve noticed you handle alcohol pretty well, so you shouldn’t land in the ER.”

“Now I’m nervous.” I laugh, but I reach for the pink flask and close my eyes. “Let me not be Mary-Had-A-Little-Lamb drunk but a badass bitch. Amen.”

Caren snickers.

“Lord help us all.”

We both take swigs and leave the stressful truth of our pasts behind.

YOUR DEMISE IF YOU LAY A FINGER ON HER

~OSCAR~

“So, you changed?” I ask when I see Wyatt reach our private booth.

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