Page 60 of Pucking Grey

“Exactly,” she says, slowly skating backwards. I press my weight forward to follow her. “You would beinthe baginthe trash.”

I stare at her. Sure, I know what that means, but I don’t understand how it has anything to do with her liking me. I mutter, “I’m not following.”

“Grey,” she mutters like she’s annoyed. “I surprised you at your game, didn’t I?”

I shrug, still not following.

“Meet me halfway here, Greyson!” She tugs at my shirt, so I grab her wrists before she makes the both of us fall. She lifts her hands in surrender, so I let go of her. “Do you want to come to my brother’s annual party this weekend?”

The change of subjects bothers me, but I nod. “I thought you didn’t want me to come.”

“I didn’t say that exactly. I just assumed, but now I just want to confirm that you’ll be there.”

I nod. “You supported me at my game, so I’ll be there.”

She taps my chest. “Don’t keep score, Grey. It breaks relationships.”

My eyes glance at her finger on my chest and then I slowly look up at her. “Okay. I won’t keep score.”

She nods. “Ready to go home?”

“Yeah.”

We clean up the little mess we made and then leave the auditorium.

When we get into bed, I keep my shirt on. “Good night, Maddie.”

“Good night, Grey.”

It’s far past midnight, and all I can think about is my unanswered question.

Chapter 17

My brother knows how to throw a fun party. Every year all the hockey players get together and play games, have a few drinks, and dance.

“This year is going to be so different because Ryan is with the Seven Devils,” I say to Sydney as we sit in the massage chairs at the nail salon while getting a pedicure. “Just think of every year how fun it was. We used to get so dolled up to flirt with all the upperclassman hockey players. Do you remember that?”

She laughs, tapping away on her phone with her fresh nails. I glance down at my new nails. Almond-shaped with a variety of pastel tips. “Yeah,” she says, finally putting her phone down. “I will never forget those times. Seriously, the best memories ever.”

“Yeah,” I smile. “And this year, the Seven Devils team will be there. I’m nervous.”

She laughs again. “Oh my god, Maddie. Don’t be nervous.”

I nod. “I’m not like nervous like worried. Just anxious to see my brother in a different light. These guys that he plays with have families, and I know it’s going to be fun. But I don’t think it’s going to be the same. It’s not just the college hockey team anymore.”

She stares at the woman painting her toes in deep thought. “You’re so right. I didn’t consider that aspect of it. We have to act like adults, not like raging college kids.”

I nod. “Exactly.”

We lock eyes and break into laughter. The unspoken words hang in the air. As long as we’re together, we’re always going to have a good time.

Sydney leaves once her pedicure is done because she has things to do, and I’m going a few doors down for my eyebrow appointment. When we part ways, she tells me how much she misses me at home and that I need to hurry back. I tell her that I miss my bed and will be back sooner than she knows it.

I enter the salon and the receptionist apologizes about my favorite brow lady being out with the flu last minute, so they booked me with someone else. The party is tomorrow, so I need to get my brows done. I’m hesitant to agree because I’m so picky about my brows but the receptionist convinces me to keep the appointment with another great brow artist. A face that I recognize walks around the corner and smiles at me. “Ready?”

I nod, following her through the salon. I can’t pinpoint where I know her from, but I’m sure it’s from campus.

I lay in the chair, and she gets right to work after I tell her I don’t like them too dark or thick. I show her a picture of my brows after my last appointment. She only nods, clearly not one to talk. I close my eyes and enjoy the chatter around the salon. Without asking, she puts cucumbers on my eyes. I enjoy the coolness of them and relax for the appointment.

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