Page 33 of Pucking Grey

“Perfect,” I shoot back.

“Step out so I can get dressed.”

I do as she asks without hesitation. I shut her bedroom door, waiting for her like a fucking idiot does for his girlfriend right outside in the hallway.

She opens the door shortly after in new clothes and says, “Ready to lose?”

I smirk. “Let’s go.”

As we’re getting into my truck, Maddie asks, “So, why do you have a key to the auditorium?”

She takes every piece of hair into her hands, pulling it into a high ponytail.

“Insomniac,” I mention, trying hard not to stare. She’s beautiful with her hair down but seeing it in a ponytail causes my fingers to flinch. Her neck is exposed, begging for my hand again. I would wrap my wrist around her ponytail if I could, but I’m a man with self-control. “I go at midnight most nights to practice.”

“You do?”

I nod, driving off.

“Maybe on the nights I can’t sleep, I’ll join you.”

My eyes stay on the road as I take a second to imagine that scenario. Why would she want to join me if nobody’s going to be around? We’re in a pretend relationship to fool others, not to hang out in private.

“I don’t know,” I admit. Undivided, one-on-one time more than once isn’t necessary.

She scoffs, almost laughing. “Why not? You need your private time, Cress?” She laughs. “Oh my god. You do? Do you take your hookups there?”

Wow, all of this talk makes me realize that she thinks so highly of me. Clearly, I am an object in her eyes. I need to change that.

She says, “Well, I uninvite myself.”

“We’ll just see how good you are at hockey first.”

She scoffs.

The locker room is dark and quiet. Madison has had some to drink, so she’s holding onto my arm like a child. All the touching and asking questions are getting on my nerves. This is why I don’t do relationships. Don’t get me wrong, I can handle being around Maddie. But not when she’s drunk. This version of her is annoying as hell. I much rather be around her when she’s sober. I hope she doesn’t pull some bullshit on the ice tonight. I won’t be kissing her back this time.

“It’s weird being in here at night alone,” she says as I finally unlock my locker. She sits on the bench next to me and pulls on her skates. I tie up mine.

“What do you think about period blood?” she asks.

I give her a questionable glance as I start on the other foot.

She giggles. “Michelle was dancing with that guy, and her blood stained through.”

I shrug, not picturing it because I don’t give a shit. “Every female bleeds once a month. Consider Matt lucky.”

She tilts her head in deep thought as I stand to grab the equipment we need.

“Are you always like this?” she asks.

“What?” I say, grabbing the hockey sticks.

“Straight forward. Hard to talk to.Impossible.”

I glare at her.

She says, “It’s your face. It’s like you want me to shut up.”

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