Page 71 of Three Pucks and a Baby

After shooting Grayson a scowl, Theo said, “Fine. She was afraid of catching feelings if we continued.”

Winching, I replied, “Oh, man, that’s the worst.”

“Tell me about it,” Theo grunted as he wriggled on his chest protector.

“At the same time, I can’t say I’m surprised.”

Theo paused. “Why do you say that?”

“Vivian is different. Of course, she’s not goin’ to be just down with fuckin’.”

“A lot of the other girls weren’t either,” he argued.

“That’s because they wanted to say they were datin’ a player. They would have cared less about you as a person–it was all status.” Shaking my head, I replied, “But that’s not Vivian. She truly wants to feel somethin’ with the person she’s with.”

“No, it isn’t,” Theo murmured. After appearing momentarily contemplative, he shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. She made her choice.”

“We could always try for more,” I offered.

Grayson and Theo froze. “What are you saying, Bennie? That the three of us could try dating her?” Theo asked.

Shrugging, I replied, “I mean, we wouldn’t have to do it all at one time. We could each take her out.”

Shaking his head, Theo replied, “That might work for you two, but I’m not interested in a relationship.”

“Me either,” Grayson replied.

“Not even with Vivian?”

Rubbing his chin in thought, Grayson replied, “If anyone could lasso me into a relationship, it would be her.”

“Speak for yourself. No one is tying me down,” Theo replied.

His words caused an ache deep in my chest. They reiterated once again just how unattainable he was. Pushing those thoughts from my mind, I once again focused on Vivian. “Well, if you two don’t mind, maybe I will ask her out.”

Considering how they’d just spoken, I expected them to quickly give their consent. Especially Theo. But both of them kept their mouths shut. Before I could repeat my request, it was time to go out to warm-ups.

If they thought I wouldn’t press the issue, they were wrong. As we made our way through the tunnel to the rink, I noticed that neither Theo nor Grayson were talking. They were uncharacteristically quiet.

The moment I hit the ice a strange sense of awareness pricked over my skin. It was a feeling I only got when someone I cared about was close by. Had my mother finally come to see me play? My eyes began frantically scanning the crowd for her. Or maybe Hannah had snuck off and flown up to see me.

But when my gaze fell on flame-red hair in the front row, my heart shuddered to a stop. A gasp wheezed out of me as I tried catching my breath. “Holy shit,” I muttered.

After I remained frozen to the spot, Theo knocked my shoulder with his. “What’s your problem?”

“Vivian.”

“Not that bullshit again.”

“No. She’s here,” I replied, pointing to her spot in the stands.

Theo stiffened beside me. “Fuck,” he muttered.

Grayson skated over to us. “Why the hell are you two standing around like statues?”

“Vivian’s here,” I repeated.

His face lit up. “Seriously? Where?”

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