Page 24 of Puck'n Bully
“Meyers is very hardworking,” Hayden says with a serious look in his eyes. “Without him, I’d be failing my subjects. Do you know what happens if I do?”
Liz shakes her head, looking concerned immediately.
“I lose my place on the team.”
Liz’s eyes widen like it’s the most terrible thing she can imagine. “We can’t let that happen,” she gasps. “No one scores goals the way you do. The Knights would lose without you!”
Hayden nods, looking grim. “Meyers has been spending hours bringing me up to speed. I want to return the favor and invite him for a meal. Would that be okay?”
Liz nods, getting to her feet. “Of course, it’s fine. It’ll be a few more hours before the place gets filled anyway.” She grabs the tray from my hand and pulls up the chair she just vacated. “Go on, Liam. Order whatever you like. It’s on me.”
My brain short-circuits. Did Hayden just manipulate my boss into buying me dinner?
“Are you sure—” I try to say but she starts pushing me into the chair.
“I’m sure,” Liz says. “Just make sure you take care of Hayden.” She smiles brightly at him before walking away.
I sink into the chair, face burning, feeling completely and utterly defeated.
I glare daggers at Hayden while he grins at me like a bastard.
“I guess sweet-talking your boss is the best way to get you on a date,” Hayden says, his gray eyes burning with intensity.
“This isn’t a date.”
“It sure feels like one,” he says, sliding the glass of milkshake toward me. “This is your favorite, isn’t it?”
Before I can tell him to fuck off, Sarah comes to the table. She glances at Hayden before fixing her attention on me. “Liz asked me to take your order,” she says, smiling confusedly.
“Sorry, I’ll get back to work soon,” I mutter.
“Do you want burgers or steak?” Hayden asks, perusing the menu.
“Whatever you want,” I grate through clenched teeth.
“You know what? Maybe I’ll get both. Our study sessions have gotten me starving for a good meal.”
“Wait, you’re tutoring him?” Sarah asks, her voice taking on a sudden high pitch. “Oh my!”
“Oh, I don’t know what I’d do without him,” Hayden says with a serious look on his face. “Ineedhim to help me.”
I glare at him. He’s damn good at making up stories to garner sympathy. That’s how he got his coach to force me into becoming his tutor and now, he’s doing the same thing with the people at the diner.
“Don’t worry about a thing,” Sarah says. “I’ll make sure you’re both fed well tonight. Would you like a milkshake too?”
“Sure,” Hayden says. “Can I get a chocolate milkshake too?”
“Yeah, I’ll get you one right away.” Sarah smiles at him before hurrying toward the kitchen.
“You’re a damn good liar,” I hiss as soon as we’re alone.
“It’s the only way I know to protect myself,” Hayden whispers, a sudden darkness shadowing his eyes.
“Why are you doing this?” I ask him.
“I wanted to spend some time with you.”
My heart stutters, and then starts racing at a hundred miles per hour.
