Page 41 of Three Pucks and a Baby

Grayson’s expression turned into a pout. “Don’t you trust us, Viv?”

“Yes, I do.” When he opened his mouth to protest, I shook my head. “But I’m also a realist. I have work tomorrow morning, and I need to be able to get there when I need to.”

Smirking at me, Theo countered, “And there’s also a small part of you that doesn’t completely trust us.”

Since I knew there was no point in lying, I replied, “That’s also where I’m a realist. You can’t be a woman in the world and not be one.”

“Then we’ll take you to get your car,” he said.

“Good.”

Wagging his brows, he countered, “And then we’re going to follow you to our place so you can’t chicken out.”

I laughed. “That’s fine with me.”

True to their word, the guys did follow me to their place, which happened to only be about ten minutes from mine. As I got out of my car, I couldn’t help taking in the fact that they lived in a townhouse, rather than an apartment.

“Nice place,” I mused.

Grayson nodded. “Theo’s dad got it for him, and he’s nice enough to let Bennett and me mooch off of T since we can’t afford much for rent.”

Grinning at Theo, I said, “A townhouse of your own? Do you still want to claim that you’re not spoiled?”

He scowled at me. “Don’t worry. I’ll be paying my dad back once I get out of college.”

“And into the NHL?”

“That’s the dream. If not, it’ll be using my biology degree in a forensic science job.”

When we got inside, I was surprised to find it meticulously clean. Everything was in its place, and it smelled of fresh linen and bleach. “You guys have one hell of a cleaning lady.”

Shaking his head, Theo replied, “I do all the cleaning.”

“Not all of it. You make me and Bennett help.” Lowering his voice, Grayson said, “He’s a hardass about everything being neat.”

Theo’s cleaning fetish was another piece of his puzzle. Some might argue he just liked things neat. But from what I’d discovered about him, there was a desperate need for order, and it all went back to his success-driven relationship with his parents.

Bringing me out of my thoughts, Theo asked, “Would you like something to drink?”

“Water would be nice.”

Cocking his head at me, Theo asked, “Are you sure you wouldn’t like something stronger to take the edge off?”

“Why do you ask?”

He reached out to run his arms up mine. “You’re trembling.”

Heat inflamed my cheeks. “Maybe I should do a shot or two to help the nerves.”

“Tequila or vodka?”

“Surprise me.”

Theo nodded as he stepped into the sleek and modern kitchen. Grayson’s hand came to rest on my back. “Don’t be nervous.”

“I think we’ve established that it's easier said than done.”

Theo returned with three shot glasses and a bottle of vodka. After handing me and Grayson a glass, he poured us all a shot. Holding up his glass, he said, “Bottoms up.”

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