Page 65 of Mother Pucker

“Rowan, it’s tradition. It’s important for you to be there.”

He sighs, thinking momentarily. “Then come with me. I have no desire to go without you.”

I shake my head. “That’s not a good idea. I have no business being there tonight, and people could catch on. You know I can’t risk any rumors flying.”

Piper chimes in, getting our attention, “What if you come with me? The guys don’t really know I’m Rowan’s sister, and I could use another drink.” She winks. “Who knows, maybe I’ll find anotherhot dog.”

Rowan points at her. “No fucking hot dogs! But the rest isn’t a bad idea.”

I twist my mouth, thinking. I haven’t been to a bar in ages, and I can’t deny that a part of me wants to remember what it was like to be out without any real responsibilities waiting for me at home.

I still remember the times Jeena asked me to go out with her and her friends. I always refused, knowing Ajay wouldn’t approve or he wouldn’t be home to take care of Kai. But maybe this time I could be the one to ask her to join us.

We’d intended to meet tomorrow while Rowan was at practice, but it might be fun to change the plan a little, if she can join, too.

I look at both Piper and Rowan. “Would it be okay for me to invite my friend Jeena? She’s a little crazy, but I think you guys would really like her.”

“Did you say she’s crazy?” Piper gets a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Because crazy is my kind of people.”

Jeena scans the Bolts players across the bar, sipping her pink, sugary concoction. “Good God. Are all hockey players this hot and beefy?”

She flags down the bartender for the third time. “Hello again, kind sir. Thank you for this magnificent drink, but could I get a dash more sweetener? Simple syrup, agave, maple syrup, honey, molasses, aspartame, or good ol’ granulated sugar, perhaps?”

The bartender deadpans, “Should I get a glucose IV going for you?”

She shakes her head, taking him seriously. “That’s very kind of you, but the items I previously listed will do perfectly fine.”

The bartender mumbles something under his breath before he takes out every type of sweetener he has and slides it toward her. “Have at it.”

Jeena’s eyes sparkle with delight. “You’re a saint.” She turns back toward Piper and me, beaming. “The service here is just impeccable!”

I don’t suppress my smile. I wouldn’t trade my kooky, sugar-fiend of a best friend for the world. She’s one of the only people I know who is unabashedly herself, unintentionally funny, and unapologetically sincere. Not to mention, she’s a complete knockout.

“I don’t think you have anything to complain about, given you’re married to one of the hottest men I’ve ever seen,” I quip, answering her previous question.

“Oh, believe me, I’m not complaining. Wayland is the only man I have eyes for. Plus, have I told you about his potatoes?”

Piper leans forward, as if she may have heard incorrectly. “Hispotatoes?”

I squeeze my eyes shut. “Yes, I have heard about his potatoes ingreatdetail.” I turn to Piper. “Please don’t encourage her. You will never be able to meet her husband without blushing.”

“I’m so confused right now, but I’m going to take your word for it,” Piper says, taking another sip from her bottle.

Jeena and I giggle before she looks over her glass at the gorgeous and incredibly loud men still standing across the bar. “Speaking of hot beefcakes and their largepotatoes, yours hasn’t been able to take his eyes off you.”

“It’s been like this all evening,” Piper adds, tipping her beer back again. “I’ve never seen my brother so smitten.”

“It’s nothing like that,” I state, chancing a glance at the man in question, sitting on a barstool across the bar. Rowan’s teammates holler and take shots around him while his eyes blaze even under the dim lighting, glued to me.

“I mean, just the way they’re looking at each other . . .” Jeena gestures between Rowan and me. “It reminds me of the porcupine documentary I watched on Animal Planet where the female sprays her . . . you know,eau de vagon her chosen suitor–”

“Ew.” My nose crinkles.

“With the way he’s staring down anyone who even dares to look at you, I wouldn’t be surprised if he walks over here with a face full of needles, having fought the other porcupines, and pees on you to claim you as his.”

Piper’s brows come together. “I think my beer’s going to come back up.”

Jeena clutches her chest, batting her eyes dramatically. “Wouldn’t it be all so romantic?”

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