Page 71 of Puck Me Secretly

My shy gaze skimmed over the group. “Number 12 shoots left. And this play puts him far too deep in the pocket on the right side. It’d be an awkward angle for him. I thought we could flipor reverse the play, but if he doesn’t get the shot, and he has to send it back to the center man, the angle would be so sharp, that I doubt the center could manage a slap shot. It’d be a serious disadvantage. But,” I chewed on my pen. “It would work, if the leftie zipped around the net and took his shot on the other side.”

I fanned my face with my book and squinted at the room. Players all sat there, stock still, staring at me.

I shook my head. “It’s dumb. I wanted to ask my dad, I mean, ask the GM about it.”

Baxter had his arms crossed, and he wore a scowl on his face.

The offensive coach stepped forward. “That’s a brilliant idea. We had the same questions about #12 but we didn’t know how it’d work until we ran the play.” He stared at the whiteboard and then grinned at his two assistant coaches. “Why didn’t we think of this?”

I glanced up at Max. His head rested on his chest, and his arms were crossed. His shoulder shook. Was he laughing?

Baxter stepped forward. “Well, I guess that solves that mystery.” He sounded sour. “One more announcement, Rory.”

“Okay.”

He gestured widely to the men in the room. “On top of everything we ask you to do, the GM has come forward and asked for a volunteer to play personal bodyguard to Rory.”

My mouth parted in horror.Thatis not what Dad had meant. Had he? The way Baxter said it, he made it sound so awful.

I shook my head. “Unnecessary.”

“Yes, Rory. The GM insisted we babysit, sorry, we protect you.”

I shook my head at the room. “Total misunderstanding. I think I’m more than fine to take care of myself. In fact, my job is to take care of you. All of you.”

Baxter rubbed his hands together. “So, do we have any volunteers?”

One player spoke up. “We all have her back. That goes without saying.”

I could feel sweat rolling down my back. My face was flushed hot.

“Thank you. That was proven the other night. Thank you.”

I scrambled to my seat to grab my bag. I needed to get out of this meeting.

“I’ll do it,” a familiar voice spoke.

My back snapped up so fast, I almost gave myself whiplash. Blue eyes met mine.

“No!” I spoke with more force than necessary.

Baxter bestowed a cold smile between the two of us. “Logan, you have been assigned to ensure that Rory remains safe, as termed by the GM.”

Mortified, I picked my way over a sea of big long legs, in a desperate attempt to leave this meeting.

I’d deal with Max later. And stop this ridiculous notion that I needed to be babysat.

I got to the back of the room and glanced over my shoulder. Max’s eyes tracked me. I gave him my best “WTF” look and then fled.

CHAPTER 27

TWEET

Hockey Gurl@hockeygurl

Rory Ashford treats the hockey team like they are her personal bodyguards. She feels like the team is there to serve every one of her needs - including sexual. She makes everyone’s life a living hell, but no one dares say no to her demands. #PlayersHateHer

CHAPTER 28

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