Page 44 of Pucking Bad Boys

Fuck. She feels soft and warm, and perfect. Like she was made to be in my arms. If it’s up to me, this won’t be the last time I get to hold her this close.

Right now, she has my undivided attention. It’s as if the other couples on the dance floor didn’t even exist.

“You look gorgeous tonight. That dress is perfect on you.” The compliment slips through my lips as I press her closer to me.

“Thanks,” she whispers. “You played really well tonight.”

She complimented my playing rather than my looks. Does that mean that’s all I am to her? A hockey player?

“I’ve been meaning to text you since yesterday’s class, but time got away from me. I was wondering if you were free tomorrow morning after practice? I wanted to take a look at the chapters Professor Cantucci covered yesterday. I took a couple of the mock tests her T.A. posted this morning, but I failed them all. Hopefully, you can help me understand the material better.”

It’s a lie.

I have no problem understanding the material, and I scored ninety percent on the mock tests I took at lunchtime.

A part of me feels a little guilty pretending I need Talia’s help when I don’t. But it gives me the perfect excuse to spend time with her. So I’ll have to make amends for lying once we’re a happy couple.

“Talia?”

She’s biting her bottom lip again. Her attention isn’t where it should be—on me. Her gaze flits to our right, where Gen is practically dry humping my brother under the guise of dancing.

Irritation makes me grind my teeth, and I pull Talia closer to me so that there is no space between us. Her soft chest smashed against mine and that does the trick.

Her eyes are finally on me.

“Yeah, sorry.” She shakes her head as if to clear her mind. “I don’t have any classes tomorrow morning. We could meet at the library?”

I would have preferred her room, where we could have been alone. But the library works. “I’ll pick you up. I’ll bring breakfast too.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I know you don’t have a car, and it’s quite a walk from here to the library. Besides, we both have to eat, right?”

She giggles, and I love the sound of her laughter. I want to hear it as often as possible. “Yeah, especially you after practice.”

“Guilty as charged.” I smile. “Do you have any preference on where I should order from?”

“I’m not picky.”

The music stops at that moment, and my ex’s long, pointy nails tap on Talia’s shoulder.

“Switch,” she demands.

Talia’s eyes leave mine and land on my brother. Fuck that.

“Veto,” I bite out.

Genevieve’s eyes narrow at my refusal. “Fuck off, Vaughn.” She snarls when Vaughn and his partner ask to switch. “Veto. I’m staying with Becks. Right, sweetie?”

“What?” Becks didn’t even notice that Vaughn asked for a switch. His eyes have been trained on Talia this whole time.

“Hey!” Gen snaps. “I’m your partner and your date. Eyes on me.”

But Becks struggles to pay attention. He’s still staring at my girl.

In all the years we’ve known Genevieve, it’s been more than obvious that she’s used to being the center of attention. And when she doesn’t get it, she’s ready to do anything to put the spotlight back on herself.

My ex-girlfriend’s tone is sharp. “Becks! I’m talking to you.”