Page 36 of Falling for the Pucking Grump

“Another beer,” Reid says. “And can you grab her another one of those pink fruity things?”

A pink lemonade cocktail, and they are delicious.

And I also can’t overlook the way Reid has been paying attention to what he thinks I need and want. It’s almost…sweet.

“Thank you so much,” I tell the waitress, glimpsing over my shoulder so I don’t come off rude. “It looks amazing.”

Yeah, well, too busy she’s batting her eyelashes at Reid to notice.

“No problem,” she dismisses me, even though she’s beaming at the man at my side. “Can I get you anything else?”

“We’re good, thanks,” Reid says, and I slide the large plate in between us so he can help me smash everything.

“We’re doing this together,” I tell him. “Did you need any more condiments?”

“I’ve seen you eat more than this,” he replies. “You go ahead.”

I mock the waitress’s previous facial expression and bat my eyelashes. “You wouldn’t let me eat this alone, would you?”

He stares dead face at me. “Do you have something in your eye?”

The whole table erupts in laughter, and I lift a mini burger and place it on one of the beverage napkins.

“Please help me eat this,” I croon. “I won’t be able to sleep tonight if I eat it all.”

“I’ll help—” I lightly slap at Wells’s hand and scowl at him.

“You’re competition. No sharing with you.”

He pouts at me. “We haven’t even started yet.”

“And you’re teasing a woman with dessert and the prospect of taking it away from me. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

“Oh, please,” he drones. “You’ve been here two hours, and you’re hangin’ out with Reid. I’m sure you have a spine of steel in that body of yours.”

I smile at him, about to offer him whatever he wants on the plate, when Reid’s index finger lands on the edge of the plate to keep it there.

“Whatever is in her body is none of your concern, killer,” he rebuffs gruffly. “And if you buy the lady dessert with no strings attached, you can take whatever it is she’s offering you.”

Wells’s eyes flick from me to the man who’s acting hella crazy right now. However, the possessiveness really packs a punch here. I could almost imagine him seeing me outside of this whole hockey situation and maybe courting me for real.

Because, unlike Weston, Reid doesn’t beat around the bush. He’s insanely upfront and brutally honest, even if it’s mean.

“You’re gonna let me share?” Wells asks, and Reid crowds my space again to get closer to his buddy.

“You know I don’t share,” he croons in this tone that licks up my body and almost sends a shiver threatening to spill across my skin. “But, Shorty, can handle herself. I’m just here to make sure you assholes don’t take advantage of her while she’s visiting.”

“You know we wouldn’t do such a thing,” Graham states as if trying to remind everyone here at the table. “She’s more than welcome anytime to hang out and practice those lack of pool skills.” I chuckle with a roll of my eyes. “She’s always safe with us.”

Reid hums his apprehension, sounding as though he’s not fully sold on that just yet.

I’m not entirely sure why. The guys have been nothing but respectful and nice to me since the locker room, where they suggested we all hang out.

I like Reid’s friends.

I feel as though they add some color to his life to not make it so dull.

“Thank you,” I voice to keep tensions limited. I didn’t realize that Reid was going to be so protective over me, and maybe it’s because hockey is another breed of man. One that he doesn’t think I’m used to since he claims Weston is a wannabe loser. However, I feel as though I’m hanging just fine. “I feel as though I need to buy a pool table and keep up with my newly found talent.”

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