Page 314 of Pucking Feral: Part Two

For a few minutes, we just watch the game. And even from up here, even when I can't be down there, it makes me feel good to see my pack on the ice.

Ivy reaches into the bucket and holds a piece of popcorn up over her shoulder, offering it to me without turning around.

Just being sweet.

I stare at it.

She wiggles it.

But I can't.

The gaiter is on. And even if it weren't, I… can't. Not where she might be able to see it. I have no idea what I look like when I eat, but I'm sure it's fucking horrifying, and I've never let her watch.

Her hand stays up for another second. Then she tosses the popcorn into the air, catching it in her mouth.

"More for me," she says.

Her voice is light, but there's slight disappointment beneath it.

And the guilt is worse than any of the pain in my face.

Below us, Plague intercepts a pass and fires it across to Valek, who one-times it past the Wasps' goalie. We're going to lose, but the crowd erupts anyway. Ivy claps, whooping, and digs into the bucket for another handful.

I tap her shoulder.

"Yeah?" she asks, tilting her head back to look up at me. "Did you change your mind? It's really good."

She's already pinching up a single piece of popcorn between her fingers, holding it up to me, wiggling it in the air again like that makes it more appealing.

I swallow hard. My pulse is hammering so loud I'm sure she feels it even through the blanket and my shirt.

I reach up and hook the edge of the gaiter with one finger. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I pull it down below my jaw.

She's still batting her lashes up at me, happy and hopeful, and there isn't a hint of disgust there. She doesn't even flinch when she sees me anymore.

To her, somehow, it's just… my face.

I'm scared this will change that.

I lean forward slightly, my jaws parting. My tongue slides out through my teeth, the points grazing the softer underside, and the tip curls against her fingers and the popcorn.

I know it looks horrible.

She's staring at it, wide-eyed.

Wait. Why the fuck is she blushing?

I look away from her instinctively and catch a blurry glimpse in the tinted glass.

Jaws.

Open.

Exposed muscle stretching.

Sharp teeth glistening and a long tongue curling out between them like a fucking horror movie monster.

My brain fills with static.