Page 30 of Playing the Pucking Game
Casey walks away while I’m deep in thought, and it’s not until she speaks again that I come back to myself.
“Look after my girl.”
I turn around to see Casey giving Linc the look. She’s known him just as long as I have, but they don’t have the love-hate relationship we have. I guess it helps that Linc didn’t used to team up with her big brother with the sole intention of tormenting her.
I shake my head, refusing to think about those times.
We’re not kids anymore. A lot has changed.
Like the fact that you’re currently living with him.
There was a time when he showed me another side of himself. A time I’ve fought so fucking hard to forget. But in only a few hours, it’s becoming painfully obvious that it’s still there.
Lincoln Storm might be an egotistical, self-absorbed asshole. But he’s not just those things. He can also be sweet, supportive, and…as much as I hate to admit it, a good friend.
After another round of goodbyes, Casey, Kodie, and Sutton leave.
The silence that descends is deafening.
“What?” Linc asks, and it’s only when his voice hits me that I realize I’m staring at him. “You’re looking at me like I’m a stranger.”
I think you might be.
“S-sorry. Everything is just…a lot, you know?”
“Yeah,” he muses, rubbing the back of his neck again.
It’s a move he’s done when nervous for as long as I can remember. I also remember thinking it was incredibly hot once upon a time.
Not now, though.
Nope. Not hot at all…
“Did hanging out with Casey help?”
I smile. “Hanging out with Casey always helps. Thank you for calling her. She tried to convince me to move in with them.”
“Are you?” Linc asks a little too quickly.
I knew he didn’t want me here, but seeing that reaction, that hope that I might be leaving, is like a slap to the face.
“Not if I can help it. Casey suggested talking to Hailee to see if she knows of anyone who needs a roommate.”
“If anyone will know, it’ll be her. Maybe one of the girls in the front office is looking.”
“Yeah, maybe,” I muse, hating how much I hate the idea of living with a stranger. What if they have really annoying habits or a dog that barks at night or?—
I cut my own thoughts off. I shouldn’t be talking myself out of this.
“I can ask around as well, if you want. The sooner you get your own space, the better, right?”
“Uh-huh. Yep. So, what’s in the bags?”
“Umm…” He starts rubbing his neck again, and my curiosity builds. “If any of it is wrong, tell me and I can exchange it. Casey gave me a list, but honestly, I had no idea what the fuck I was looking at. Sutton helped a bit, but…” He trails off as I peer into the first bag.
“Linc,” I breathe as shock rocks through me.
“Are they right?” he asks nervously as I stare at the bottles.
