Page 21 of Revenge Puck

“Oh.” Her shoulders slump forward and her face falls. “I haven’t had a chance to check all the messages and comments.”

“The picture of us getting a lot of attention?”

She nods her head, making her blonde ponytail sway. “It’s been crazy. I’m also getting tagged in other pictures of us, you know, kissing.”

“Right.”

“People are being assholes.” When her friend chimes in with that newsflash, I finally glance over at the brunette.

“What do you mean, people are being assholes?” I ask.

“Some people, mostly angry Bobcats’ fans and jealous women, are saying shitty things about Elle.”

I look back to the blonde, who is definitely less peppy than she was earlier today. “Who was talking shit? What did they say?”

“Some mentioned you should date someone prettier than me, and that I was not only a huge slut but stupid for dumping Christian for someone else.”

“Who said those things, Elle?” I practically growl at her.

“I don’t know them personally. It’s not a big deal.”

That’s the biggest lie I’ve ever heard. I grew up with a sensitive younger sister. I know words can cause deeper wounds that won’t heal as fast as physical ones. And if being in a damn photo with me is what caused Elle to be upset, then I want to fix it.

“If they hurt you, then I’ll hurt them.”

Now she gives me a small smile. “You can’t beat up everyone on social media.”

“I can try,” I tell her.

“Most are women. Women who think that you could do a lot better than someone like me.”

“Better than you?”

“I appreciate you going along with my stupid scheme, but I’m not sure if it’s worth the negative attention anymore.”

Shit. She’s ready to call our fake relationship quits when it hasn’t even been a day. I’m worse at fake dating than I am the real thing.

And while at first, I didn’t want any part of her ploy to piss off Riley, now I’m glad I did it. Not just because she helped me get through an entire game against the prick without a penalty or ejection, but also because I like her and want to keep spending time with her.

“Seriously, Elle, don’t let those assholes get to you. They’re a bunch of blind idiots if they can’t see how undeniably beautiful you are. Not to mention brave for having the courage to approach me out of the blue when most men go running when they see me.”

“You’re just saying all that because you’re enjoying tormenting Christian, and don’t want to let up yet.”

“I promise you, every word is the truth. I’ll even pinky promise.” I hold up my pinky and wiggle it at her through the fence. She laughs before she wraps her pinky, that’s a third of the size of mine, around it. “If you’re still not convinced, then you must have forgotten about earlier.”

“Earlier?” Elle asks, her brow furrowed all cute.

“The proof you saw and felt right out here,” I remind her. “Did that feel like a lie?”

She wets her lips as she looks up at me, obviously replaying the kiss in her head. “No. But, you admitted that it’s…been a while.”

“What is with you and all your excuses? If you really believe that, then what was Riley’s excuse?”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s with a different woman every night, and he wanted you.”

“I…I don’t really know why he wanted me. I was just convenient. Easy. I went down on him whenever he was in my chair.”

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