Page 21 of Revenge Puck

“Do what?”

“Pretend I’m an idiot, and I can’t read your face.”

My arms fold defensively, heat crawling up my neck. “I barely know him.”

“I saw your look.”

“So?”

“You sucked in a breath when you thought he was looking at you!” he hisses as my mouth opens to immediately deny it.

Snaps closed. I had sucked in a breath.

I am an amateur…

“Jesus Christ, Juliette.” He studies me another second, then exhales through his nose. “Has he been over here talking to you?”

I scoff again. “Why would he be over here talking to me?”

Because his mouth was on my…you know. Lady business?

My brother doesn’t respond; lets his eyes stay trained on the hallway where Aaron was standing, jaw working like he’s chewing gum. Gritting his teeth.

“Would it be a problem if he had been talking to me?” I continue, unfazed by his irritation. “Aren’t you and your teammates all friends?”

He hesitates before saying, “Yeah.” Drags a hand over his face. “Jules, listen. If that guy tries to talk to you?—”

“Tries to talk to me about what?”

“Just—” He cuts himself off. Glances around like the cubicle walls might be listening. “Don’t engage, okay?”

My stomach flips.

“Engage with him about what?” I whisper conspiratorially. “Did he do something horrible that I should know about? Is he violent?”

Declan shakes his head slowly.

I study his face, searching for the brother who used to tell me everything. Who used to rant to me about bad grades but then trust me not to tell my parents he snuck out to party. Or got drunk when he was underage. Or dented the car after hitting the garage door.

We were so close, I moved to be near him once the Wolves drafted him.

“No. He hasn’t done anything horrible.” Another head shake. “But do me a favor and stay away from him, though?”

My stomach drops. “Not unless you tell me why.”

“I can’t.” His gaze drifts back down the hall. He checks his watch and pushes off the wall of my cubicle, giving it a tap. “I have to get going. Have to be on the ice in half an hour, and I’ll probably be late.”

Then he’s gone, his warning ringing in my ears.Do me a favor and stay away from him.

Too late for that.

Guilt floods the pit of my stomach but also: Why should I feel bad? I’m a grown woman. I make my own choices. What could Aaron have done to make Declan warn me off? Why is my brother acting shady?

Five minutes later, I have yet to log into the company network.

Ten minutes afterthat, I’ve done nothing but research the team’s appearance schedule.

Thirty minutes in, I’m out of my office and backtracking down the corridor, walking over the sleek marble floors toward the practice rink, folding my arms around my body when I open the ice center’s doors.