Page 63 of Married As Puck
Her words may have rubbed off on me the wrong way, but I was determined to make sure I get the laugh last.
24
The smell of freshly brewed coffee fills the apartment as I lean against the kitchen counter, mug in hand. The steam curls upward, fogging my vision for a second before I take a long sip. My body aches from last night’s practice, but it’s a good kind of ache. The kind that means I’m pushing harder than ever.
Brie’s heels click softly against the wooden floor before she even appears, and when she steps out of the bedroom, my chest tightens the way it always does. She’s already dressed for work, wearing a fitted blouse tucked into a pencil skirt, her hair pulled back neatly. Professional. Controlled. Untouchable and something about that just made me feel a type of way.
“Morning,” I say, my voice still gravelly.
“Morning,” she replies with a small smile as she adjusts the strap of her bag. Her tone is light, but her eyes linger on me for a second longer than necessary.
I set the mug down and rub at the back of my neck. “Sorry I was out cold by the time you got back last night. Should’ve waited up.”
She gives me that gentle shrug she always does when she’s trying to tell me not to worry. “Cameron, it’s fine. You were tired. I could tell.”
That doesn’t make me feel better. “Yeah, but you shouldn’t come home to an empty room. Next time, just call me. I’ll wait up, no matter how late it is.”
Her lips twitch like she’s hiding a smile. “And what if I come in at midnight? You’d still be sitting here half asleep, just to prove a point?”
“Maybe.” I lean back against the counter, folding my arms. “Wouldn’t be the worst thing.”
She shakes her head, amused, though a faint blush colors her cheeks. “You’re too much.”
She moves toward the door, clearly ready to escape before I can push further. But something in me doesn’t want to let her go just yet.
“Hold on,” I say, and she pauses, eyebrows raised.
“What is it?”
“Don’t I get a kiss before you run off to glower at Miranda and co?” I ask, half teasing, half serious.
Her blush deepens instantly, her eyes darting away like she’s considering whether to ignore me. “Really?” she murmurs.
“Really.”
She steps closer, her movements careful, deliberate, as if she’s negotiating with herself. Then, in one swift motion, she rises onher toes and presses her lips against mine. It’s quick but warm and sweet. The kind of kiss that lingers long after it’s over.
When she pulls back, she tries to cover her flustered expression with a smirk. “Happy now?”
“Yeah.” My voice comes out lower than I expect.
She grabs her bag and heads for the door, her posture straighter than before, like she needs the distance to catch her breath. The second the door clicks shut behind her, I realize I’m smiling. Grinning like an idiot, actually.
I shake my head and force the expression away, muttering under my breath, “Get it together, man.”
But the truth is, I don’t want to get it together. Not when it comes to her. I sigh and finish the rest of my coffee in record time. I’m supposed to be at the rink in less than two hours and I need to get ready.
The drive to the rink is quiet except for the low hum of the traffic and the steady rhythm of my fingers drumming against the steering wheel. My mind is still caught somewhere between Brie’s lips on mine and the unease that’s been gnawing at me since the dinner party. By the time I pull into the parking lot, I’m hoping practice will be enough to drown everything out.
Keith is already there, leaning against his car with his arms crossed. He’s never the early one, which is why I blink in surprise when his eyes lock onto mine the second I step out of my truck.
“You waiting for me?” I ask, pulling my duffel bag from the back seat.
“Yeah.” His tone is clipped, serious in a way that instantly puts me on edge. “Let’s walk in together.”
I arch a brow. “What is this, high school? You scared to go in alone?”
Keith doesn’t crack a smile. “Just humor me, Cam.”
