Page 18 of Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny

“When I look back on my regrets, they’re getting caught up in this kind of thing. Caring too much about hockey players and the parties.”

She shifted to the side to make way for a group who came over to make drinks. “So no parties, no dating, and no fun for the rest of the semester? That’s what you want to do with your last few months of college?”

“Well, when you put it that way…” It would be nice to get out of my head and have some fun. I nearly snorted at that, because Ryder was always claiming I had a grudge against it. Speaking of things on the guy front, ithadbeen a long time, and while I didn’t have time for a relationship, it would be nice to have someone to cuddle up with at the end of the day. To kiss. To do a little more…

Basically some carefree college fun to round out my last year.

But Ryder was too dangerous. He was tied to the former life I’d shed and promised to never go back to, so he and I would have to keep things on the friendly level.

Which meant that I needed to look at this party in a different way. I wasn’t here to meet up with Ryder, hockey player and unexpected math nerd. No, this was my chance to dip a toe back into the dating pool. Like a slow reintroduction to college parties and flirting with boys. If anything, at least I wouldn’t be totally rusty once I attempted to get back out there in the real world.

There’s nothing wrong with having a little fun before I graduate. I’ve worked hard and I need a break from the stress of my life.

And this way I’m still in control, the way I need to be.

“Fine. You want fun, party Lindsay?” I tipped back the drink, chugging as much as I could and then adding another splash of vodka to the mix. “You’re about to get her.”

Chapter Nine

Ryder

I nearly tripped over my feet when I spotted Lindsay in the middle of the floor, one hand up in the air as she swayed her hips and swung her dark hair around.

I’d never seen her look so uninhibited. My heart gave a hard thump as I took in her curves and the smile stretched across those full lips.

Whitney, Lyla, and Megan danced next to her, all of them a bit flushed, either from exertion or alcohol, or most likely a mix of both. The girls bumped against each other as they executed their sexy moves, attracting the attention of several guys in the room.

Beside me, Hudson, Dane, and Beck froze, leading me to believe they’d noticed the girls as well. Judging by the expressions that ranged from intent-to-harm to murderous, they also saw all the ogling going on.

“So glad Coach held us back to rip us a new one on the night our girls decide to put on a show for everyone at the Quad.” Hudson scowled around the room, his hands curling into fists. “I’m not liking the way several of our teammates are staring. Guess I’ll be doing some ripping of my own.”

Beck ran a hand over his face. “I swear my little sister is trying to kill me. Lyla, too. Why’d I think it’d be a good idea for them to spend time together?”

“I got it,” Dane said, moving toward Megan.

Within seconds the guys flanked the girls, marking their territory. Before I reached Lindsay, one of the onlookers stepped up behind her and gripped her hips. Heat fired through my veins, my teammates’ jealous expressions no longer striking me as amusing. I knew I had no claim on her, but I also knew that if he didn’t remove his hands, I was going to do the honors for him.

She glanced over her shoulder at him and frowned. “I don’t do that anymore.”

I wasn’t sure whatthatwas, but before things could go any further, I approached and held out my hand, fighting the urge to grab her and pull her to me. Last time she’d fled the Quad because I’d smiled at her, so I didn’t want to scare her off with some possessive caveman display, even though it took every ounce of my self-control to hold myself in check. “How about you come dance with me for a bit?”

“Oh, look, it’s my hot math tutor.” She took a step closer to me and stage whispered, “I’m ignoring the fact that you play hockey. It makes me feel better about calling you hot.”

I bit back a laugh and shot random dude a glare that made him back up. Smart guy.

Lindsay slapped her palm in my extended one, and I pulled her to me and slipped my arms around her waist.

“Having fun?” I asked.

She nodded. “Oh, yes. I drankwaymore than I should’ve. And dancing is more fun than I remembered, too. This is all Whitney’s fault, really.” As Lindsay looped her arms around my neck, I made a mental note to thank Whitney later.

I risked reaching up and brushing Lindsay’s hair out of her eyes, and she sighed, the sound reverberating through my chest and making me feel lighter. We won tonight, which would’ve felt great if afterward Coach hadn’t told us to wipe the smiles off our faces, because if we played like that during playoffs, we’d find our season cut short.

Then he’d taken it a step further, asking the starters into his office so he could tell us he especially expected more of us, and unless we wanted our asses to be glued to the benches, we better give it to him.

I could tell Dane had been about to make a crack about it, and I stepped on his foot at the same time Hudson shook his head at him. Luckily we’d convinced him to keep whatever joke to himself or we would probably still be in Coach’s office. Maybe even on the ice running drills.

“So, how was the game?” Lindsay asked.

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