Page 52 of Of Pucking Course

An hour later, we walk into Spanky’s.

I spot Ingrid, Maya, Bella, Sophie, and Dakota sitting at our usual table.

Dakota looks at me, holding my gaze for a long moment before turning back to Sophie.

Nerves spark inside of me. I can’t stop thinking about her—the way she touched me, the things we admitted to each other just hours ago.

I made it a point not to look at where she was sitting during the whole game. She usually sits behind the Bashers’ net with Maya and Bella, and if I see her, I always wave.

Not tonight, though. I needed to stay focused. I knew that one look at her would have reminded me of everything that went down between us earlier, and my focus would have been shot.

I clear my throat and sit down at the end of the table, far away from her. I see the surprise in her big brown eyes, but then she blinks, and it’s gone.

I know it’s kind of a dick move to purposely sit far away from her…But I don’t want anyone to notice anything between us. Especially Del.

Ingrid hands me a glass of beer, and I tell her thanks. We all raise our glasses.

“To making the playoffs! Three years in a row!” Theo hollers.

We all holler and cheer as we clink our glasses together. Half the bar looks over at us. Half the bar ignores us.

Camden convinces us to do a round of shots.

“No drinking games though,” Del mutters.

“You’re such a buzzkill, dude.” Xander grins and shoves Del’s shoulder. Del just rolls his eyes.

For the next hour, we talk and joke around and drink. The whole time, I don’t speak to Dakota. I barely even look at her.

A fresh wave of guilt hits me. I’m being a dick. I know I am. But I can’t risk anyone noticing that anything is going on between us.

“I’m tired. I’m going home,” Dakota announces.

“You okay to drive?” Del asks.

“Yes.”

“You sure?”

Dakota aims an annoyed look at her brother. “Bella and I split a beer. And before you guys got here, I had a cheeseburger and fries. I’m fine to drive.”

“Where are you parked? I’ll walk you to your car,” Del says.

“I snagged a spot right out in front. I’m good.”

Dakota hugs Sophie and pats her brother’s shoulder before standing up.

“Enjoy the night, guys,” she says, her tone easy and unbothered. She walks out of the bar.

A half-hour passes before I notice how sloppy Camden is.

“Rookies can’t handle their liquor,” Theo muses.

I pull up the rideshare app on my phone and request a ride for Camden. I’d give him a ride, but he lives on the other side of the city, almost an hour away from me. Any other night, I’d drive him, but I’m exhausted after tonight’s game.

I stand up, walk over to him, and help him out of his chair.

“Let’s get you home,” I say.

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