Page 14 of Puck You
The sun flickered out as a cloud shifted overhead, casting shadows over the path where we stood.Tension hung thick in the air.I drew a deep breath before speaking, willing myself to remain calm.
“You wouldn’t say that if you had to practice at McKinley.The smell alone would be enough to turn you off.“Our record is as good as yours.”It was better, actually, but I didn’t think mentioning that would help the situation.“Imagine what we could do if we had decent training conditions.”
Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest and spoke in a low, firm voice.“My training isextremelyimportant.I can’t give up time on the ice or in the gym to make room for another team.It’s the same for everyone else.”
A bitter smile formed on my lips.Sebastian didn’t want to help.He didn’t care about anyone but himself; that much had been apparent from the moment we met.I needed to remember that.
“Then don’t expect me to waste another fucking breath talking to you.”
I couldn’t wait to see his face when I took the stage at the gala.He had no idea what was coming.
Chapter 5
Sebastian
There was something devious in Grace’s parting expression that set me on edge.I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was scheming something in that obnoxiously pretty head of hers.It wouldn’t surprise me, especially after her—
“Golden boy,” said a familiar voice.“How does it feel to be back on top?”
I tore my eyes away from her retreating form, confusion sweeping over me at the sight of my old teammate.Devon Bowman had graduated two years ago, right after I blew out my knee to win us a national hockey title.Since then, he’d moved to Minneapolis and started working for a sports marketing firm.And, apparently, grown a rather impressive beard.
“Hey, man,” I said.“What the hell are you doing back at Dallard?”
“Touring the campus with my little brother.He’s looking into colleges this year,” he explained.
“Great game last weekend!”someone said and clapped me on the back as they walked by.It happened so fast that I didn’t catch a glimpse of their face.
“Seems like nothing has changed since I left.You still have all your adoring fans,” Devon teased.If he’d been here last year, or even last week, he wouldn’t be saying that.“I look forward to seeing you back on the ice.If you’re ever in Minneapolis, drop me a line.Let’s catch up.”
I stood rooted to the spot as I offered Devon a halfhearted wave goodbye, still stuck on my conversation with Grace.
It was impossible to enjoy my return as king of the campus with her around.Where did Grace get off thinking she had any claim over DuLane Arena?I hadn’t been serious when I’d offered to make things up to her; I was just curious to see if there was anything she wanted from me.
For a brief moment, when her eyes had filled with the faintest spark of hope as she’d asked for my help, I’d been close to saying yes without considering the consequences.Clearly, I needed to keep Grace at arm’s length for my own sanity, because there was something about her that made me act recklessly.I admired her skill on the ice—maybe that explained some of the fascination I had for her.And even after my less than friendly welcome to school, she’d been willing to put aside her pride in asking for help.
But I couldn’t help Grace without compromising my own goals, and when she was in close proximity, I made stupid, impulsive decisions—flirting, for example.The girl was a threat to my hockey seasonandmy sanity.It was simple, really: Grace was trouble waiting to happen, which meant I needed to keep my distance.
>> <<
“Are you seriously leaving?”
My eyes flickered between the bulge in my pants and Kate, who, up until a few seconds ago, had been licking the side of my neck and exploring every inch of me with greedy hands.Now, she was frantically searching the floor for her baby-blue sweater as her phone alarm blasted through my bedroom.
“My blowout is in ten minutes,” she exclaimed, a note of panicin her voice.“I need to be in Clearwater like now, and I don’t—oh, thank God.”She plucked her sweater off the top of my dresser and silenced the alarm.We hadn’t had sex in over a week, and I must have flung it over there in my haste to get her undressed.
“You’re going to leave me like this?”
Kate’s head poked out from the neckline of her top as she righted the material over her chest.“I’m sorry,” she said, but she didn’t sound like it.In fact, she seemed entirely unbothered that neither of us had come close to finishing.“I need to look my best at the gala.The head of the UVA grad program will be there tonight.His son made the team this year.I think he’s a freshman.”
Kate had been talking about the University of Virginia’s environmental science graduate program since sophomore year.Her mom was an alumnus of the program, and she’d played a huge role in Kate’s decision to apply.
“Will you be ready by six?”I asked, glancing down at my watch.“Coach wants us there a little early, so you’ll have to wait around a bit before the event starts.”
She shook her head as she grabbed her purse.“I’ll meet you there.Macy is driving separately, so she’ll take me.”
Kate rushed over to the bed and planted a kiss on my cheek before hightailing it out of my room.I stared down at my cock for a long time after, wondering if it was worth beating one out before the gala.The answer was a resounding yes, given I was still half hard and desperate for a release.As I worked myself out in the shower, I pictured thick brown hair grasped between my fingers and a wet, hot throat swallowing me down.Just as I fell over the edge, the image shifted; the head bobbing up and down on me tilted up to meet my eyes.But it wasn’t the familiar blue I was expecting.Instead, I was greeted by the sight of widechocolate eyes glossed over with moisture, tears streaming down her face.
After finishing, I left the shower feeling worse off.I was no longer sporting a raging boner, but I felt slimy for picturing Grace when it should have been Kate.What I needed right now was a distraction, and seeing as we didn’t have to be at the gala for another two hours, I had time to kill.I set off down the long arched hallway, knocking on doors and calling for my roommates to meet me in the kitchen.Everyone was home, and in about fifteen minutes, we were seated around the kitchen table, Bryce spreading out a deck of cards in one clean line.
