Page 86 of Puck Me Secretly

“Dad!”

The last thing I needed was to see Max naked wearing nothing but a towel.

Dad stood up. “I gave my word, so make sure Max takes part. That’s an order.”

I sagged back against the couch. God help me.

“What the hell is this?”Max sat in front of my desk, holding the sketches like they were contaminated.

“Those are your proposed outfits for the charity calendar you signed up for.”

“Likefuck I did.”

Katrina leaned towards Max and put a possessive hand on his big forearm. “Max, remember the woman’s shelter project?”

His eyes widened. “You said I’d be wearing a uniform.”

“I said you’d be in a variation of a hockey uniform.”

He sounded incredulous. “This dude is holding a helmet in front of his junk. That is not a fucking variation.”

“I think you’ll be sensational.”

He tossed the sketches on my desk. “This is bullshit. Pull me out.”

My voice was dry. “It’s for a great cause.”

Accusing blue eyes lifted to my face. “You approved this? Without asking me?”

“The GM approved it. He believes in the cause, and he wants you to do this.”

“Tell him I want out.”

“He wasn’t asking.”

Max ran a hand over his face. “Fuck me.”

“Max,” Katrina coaxed in a soothing voice. “It’ll be fine. I’ll be there to walk you through every step.”

There were days I hated my job, but right now I was enjoying myself.

Too much.

“Katrina, the GM has requested that you don’t attend this event with Max.”

Katrina’s eyes went wide. “No. I set this up. This is my project. Max needs my support. I have to go.”

“Those were his orders.”

“He needs someone to be there,” she argued. “Max can’t go to this alone.”

“He won’t be alone. Someone will accompany him.”

“Who?” Her voice was shrill. “Who is going in my place?”

I worked to keep an impassive expression on my face. “I am.”

Max winced.

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