Page 41 of Revenge Puck

“He’s not as scary now that I cleaned up his beard and cut his shaggy hair.”

“True, but he’s still big as hell. Look at the comments. Not only do women think he looks amazing with the trim, but even Bobcats fans are commending him on standing up for you. Here’s what one person said:People are assholes, sorry they said rude shit about your girl. Good on you for coming to her defense and calling them out.That’s you, Elle! You’re his girl.”

“I’m his fake girl.”

“But that is a real video threatening everyone on social media to behave when it comes to you.”

“That’s just…it’s all part of him pretending we’re dating or whatever, so he can beat Christian and get his contract extended with the Warhawks.”

And maybe he also felt a little guilty about storming in and calling me a puck bunny earlier.

“All that may be reasons that Preston’s in this fake relationship, but he posted the video because he cares about your feelings. He doesn’t want people upsetting you. It’s sweet.”

Biting my bottom lip, I confess to her, “He asked me to go to dinner with him tonight…”

“Yay!” she exclaims with a clap of her hands.

“And I was going to go with him until he stormed back in here and basically called me a slutty puck bunny. If he cared about my feelings, then why would he do that? What he assumed, he’s not much better than the jerks on Insta.”

“Girl, I’m not excusing his behavior. He was definitely out of line. But I think he was mostly just jealous. He did not like the idea of you cutting all those guys’ hair.”

“Because they play for the Bobcats and are Christian’s teammates?”

“No, silly! Because they were men.”

“We have lots of male clients.”

“Yes, we do. And we don’t sleep with any of them ever. Well, before you and Christian, so it was bullshit for him to assume such a thing. Still, the fact that he even got upset suggests that he’s catching some feelings.”

“No, he’s not.”

“And what about you? Are you still feeling-free when it comes to Preston?”

“Of course. I know where the two of us stand. Yes, the kiss with him was hot, and he’s pretty fun to hang out with, but he’s only talking to me to irk Christian. Preston will be gone in a few days, never to be seen again.”

“D.C. isn’t that far away…”

“It’s too far for me to even think about, even if Preston was actually interested in being with me. Christian lived literally blocks away and it was still too far. If he would cheat on me after being away from me for one day, then how could I trust a man who lives hundreds of miles away?”

“Not every man is a whore like Christian Riley. Someday, you’re going to have to buck up and trust a guy if you ever want to have a serious relationship.”

“Well, that’s a future problem. Not one I need to worry about now because Preston is not a real relationship, much less a serious one.”

“Fine. But I think you should go to dinner with him.”

“Really? Why?”

“Because you’re still not over the pain Christian caused you. It’s not fair that he’s probably going out and having fun while you stay home alone. You don’t have to do anything but eat a meal with Preston. Let people take a few photos and post themwhile you chat him up. Then go home. It’ll be better than sitting home all night missing that asshole, right?”

“I don’t know. It’s crazy, but I thought I could really like Preston, you know? Before he went all ‘roid rage. Now, I think it’s for the best that he acted that way.”

“Because now you don’t have to worry about actually crushing on your fake boyfriend?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, what do you have to lose by having dinner with Preston? If you’re not going to fall for him, then it’s all good. Go enjoy a free meal with a hot hockey player and make Christian crazy jealous before tomorrow’s game.”

Cringing, I ask my best friend, “Is it wrong that I don’t want Christian to win?”

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