Page 87 of Desperate Pucker
He grins. “Yup. Star center.”
“Way to be modest,” Ryker says behind me.
“You know I’m kidding,” Nick says to Ryker before grinning at me. “I am pretty good though.”
I can’t help but chuckle. This kid oozes cockiness and charm, but he’s also sweet. That’s a dangerous combo. I bet he slays with the female students at his college.
A twenty-something woman walks out of the gas station, her arms full of snacks. When she walks to her car, which is parked next to Nick’s, he smiles at her and offers to grab her car door.
She goes starry-eyed as she stares at him. “Such a gentleman. Thank you.”
He winks at her. “My pleasure.” He glances down at the package of candy in her arms. “Sour Patch Kids kind of night?” he asks with a smile.
She giggles. “Oh, definitely. I couldn’t resist my craving.”
“You should always give in when you’re craving something.” He winks again. “What’s your name?”
“Sofia. What’s yours?”
“Nick. You go to Hollis?”
She nods. “I’m a grad student.”
“I play on their hockey team. You should come to a game sometime.”
I hold back a laugh as they exchange numbers. This kid is way too smooth.
He shuts her car door and waves as she drives off.
Nick looks at me. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay. You gotta shoot your shot.”
He grins. “Exactly.” He fists-bumps me and I laugh even harder.
“Hey, lover boy.” Ryker says from the driver’s seat of my car. “Turn on your car.”
Nick looks at Ryker like he’s forgotten he was here too. “Oh. Right.”
He hops in his driver’s seat. A second later, his engine starts up.
“Alright!” Nick shouts. I smile and look back at Ryker. He rolls his eyes, but I can tell by the way the corner of his mouth twitches that he’s fighting a smile.
After a few minutes, Ryker and Nick disconnect the cars and put the jumper cables back.
“Drive around for a while so the alternator can charge your battery,” Ryker says to his brother. “At least twenty minutes.”
“I will.” Nick turns back to me. “Hey, would you take a photo with me? I wanna post this on my socials and show my friends.”
I smile. “Sure.”
He hands Ryker his phone. “Way to give off creepy stalker vibes, Nick.”
“He’s fine,” I say. It’s honestly really sweet how excited he is to see me. It’s been a while since I’ve had a fan interaction that was this genuine and kind. I’m so used to people sneaking pictures of me or mocking me for my breakdown.
Nick stands next to me with his arm wrapped around my shoulders. Ryker snaps a few photos and hands the phone back to his brother.
“It was so cool meeting you, Maddy,” Nick says. “Thanks again for the jump.”
