Page 80 of Puck Me Secretly

Dad kissed me on the temple.

I made my way to the ladies room to freshen my lipstick. Voices from behind stall doors were talking.

“Did you see the latest tweet by Hockey Gurl?”

I froze and listened.

“No what?”

“Apparently Miss Stuck Up has been fucking her way through the entire team.”

“Shut up.”

“Someone told me she threatens the players with their contracts, forcing them to service her. They said one night she had three different guys.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah, and even though she’s cute, the players hate her. They see her coming and they dread it when it’s their turn.”

“That’s disgusting.”

“Yeah, well, I heard she’s a total nymphomaniac.”

I heard a toilet flush. I tossed my lipstick in my bag and fled. Tears blinded me.Thatwas the rumor that was going around about me? Mortification washed over me. Did Dad know?

I bumped into a broad chest and lifted my head when two strong arms grabbed my shoulders.

“Rory.”

I stared up at Max’s concerned face. Did he hear these rumors? Did he believe these things about me?

“Sorry, excuse me.”

“Rory,” he took my hand and pulled me off to the side. He leaned against the wall. “Talk.”

I shook my head. “Nothing to talk about.”

“You’re upset.”

I steeled my lip, willing myself not to cry. “It’s nothing.”

“Did someone say something to you?

“Not to my face.”

“What?”

“Have you heard of Hockey Gurl?”

Max’s face darkened. “Don’t tell me you're buying into that shit.”

“You’ve heard of her?”

“Rory, everyone knows she’s some idiot spouting her mouth off.”

My shoulders sagged. “She says such terrible things about me.”

“Lies. Everyone knows they are lies.”

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