Page 50 of Pucking Grey

I jog up to Coach and ask, “Can I drive back with Maddie? She drove up here alone to surprise me.”

“What did we talk about, Cress? Did you hear what I told you about that Wilder girl? Rules are rules. Get in the bus.”

I bite down hard, grinding my teeth. “I wasn’t expecting her to travel up here, Coach. I can’t let her drive by herself. Can I, please, drive with her?”

Now it’s his turn to grind his teeth in frustration. “What did I just say?”

“Coach, she’s driving alone,” I argue, but I see it in his face that he has no patience. The old man clearly had a long day.

He looks over at Ryan and Maddie. He waves at them and reluctantly says, “This one time, Greyson. That’s it, and it’s only because Ryan is here.”

I nod, taking that into account. Ryan is on everyone’s good side. “Got it. Appreciate it, Coach. She will, too.”

When I walk back to the siblings, they’re bickering.

“I hope you’re not fighting over me,” I say, grabbing Maddie’s shoulder.

Ryan glances at my hold and scoffs, so I release her. The bus leaves and she’s pointing at it in confusion.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on the bus?” she asks.

“I’m driving with you, so you don’t have to be alone.”

Chapter 13

“Oh,” I am surprised by this turn of events. “Really?“ I glance at the bus driving away. There’s no option now. Ryan is still standing here, and it’s my turn to help Grey out. If he could get on good terms with Ryan, I know he would take that as a win. I think they used to be friends before Grey went and ruined that. I am secretly trying to help Greyson with his reputation. Now it’s his time to shine. “That’s really sweet, Greyson. Thank you.”

I grab his hand and intertwine my fingers, hoping that Ryan only sees red and doesn’t see how forced this is. “That’s so thoughtful and considerate of you. Was Coach mad?”

He tilts his head to say yes but he doesn’t want to admit it. “It’s alright. He’ll be harder on me in the rink. It’s good for me.”

Ryan clears his throat. “Okay, I’ll let you start your drive back.” He hugs Maddie and says, “I’ll see you this weekend.” He turns to me. “You’re invited but only if my sister is okay with it. Don’t forget what we talked about. I mean it.”

“I know you do,” Grey says.

Ryan gives me one last disappointed look and then he’s off to his truck. I turn to Greyson, unable to break character because I’m afraid my brother will somehow hear it. “Ready?”

Grey nods.

When we settle into my car, I am impressed by how much Greyson fills the passenger seat. “The thing to push the seat back is in the front.” He pulls the wrong lever and the seat springs forward. I laugh as he ducks his head. “Shit,” he mutters.

“Here.” I lean forward between his legs. I don’t realize that I’m pressed against him until he goes flying back and I fall with him. I laugh in reaction, blushing red.

“Are you okay to drive?” Grey asks.

“Yeah. I prefer it actually. I don’t know how good you are at driving.”

“If you change your mind, I will gladly take over. I won’t feel so emasculated too.”

His fingers press against my back, and I freeze. They tickle as he pulls at his jersey that I’m wearing. “Do I have to worry about you digging through my closet, bunny?”

A shiver takes over my body, so I blast the heater and pull out of the parking stall. It’s blasting cold air right now as I drive fast through the parking lot.

“Your brother doesn’t approve,” he mutters once we reach the freeway.

“Nope,” I confirm. “He doesn’t but it’s okay. I’m going to change his mind about you.”

“You are?”

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