Page 55 of Tricky Puck

“No. You’re the only one on the team who punched out a guy and got caught on camera doing it.” He squints his eyes at me. “I’ll give you one more chance, Milano. No more fuck-ups.”

The only thing I can’t control is the tick in my jaw. Otherwise I regain enough cool to hold my game face together and vow to stay on this team no matter whatever else I do.

“I have everything under control,” I say as I leave to head to the friends and family lounge to face the introduction of my fake girlfriend to our families.

I have everything under control? That has to be the biggest fucking lie I’ve told yet. And I’m starting to hate myself for it.

Eighteen

DELANEY

Iwait outside the friends and family room, far enough from the door not to be noticed with all the comings and goings. I saw them all inside, his family and mine. Granny introducing my family to his and his Grandma seeming to know Granny like they’re old pals.

That would explain things. I’ll have to have a long talk with Granny about that—when it’s all over. Right now, the less said about the matchmaking deal, the better.

Finally I see Link jump off the elevator and jog toward the lounge, so I emerge from skulking mode and pretend like I happen to be arriving at the same time.

Okay, so I’m a chicken. This one time, I need fortification and Link Milano is it. My back up, my co-conspirator in the scheme to out-foil the matchmakers—I’m including our grandmothers as official matchmakers along with their hired gun.

“Hey there,” I say, linking his arm with mine before he pushes through the door. I eye him in his sweats. “I see you dressed for the occasion.”

“I see you dressed.” He eyes my Whalers jersey and I spin around to show him his name and number on my back. “I like it.”

The low timber of his voice does something to me—and my butterflies—but I clamp down and he puts an arm around me.

“You ready?” He asks as if he knows I’m not, but I nod. “Let’s do this,” he says, sweeping me in the door to an elegant lounge fully stocked with all the food and drink my hungry brothers could ask for.

“And there he is,” says a very old and very lively woman with a gray bun and sparkling green eyes I’d recognize anywhere. Most of the crowd in the room belongs to our families as they all draw in around us.

“Delaney Collins, this is my grandma.” He draws me to meet her and she opens her arms to me, so I step in. She’s small but her hug is heartfelt and I’m feeling more comfortable as I back away, and more guilty.

“Your grandson is a delight and I can see why he adores you.”

“Didn’t I tell you she’d be perfect for you, Lincoln.”

His smile looks real to me as he hugs his grandma.

Link introduce me to the rest of his family and forget about handshakes—they all hug me and smile curiously, even reverently. Except when it comes to his sister Rose.

“My sister Rose plays hockey at UNH,” the pride in his voice is magic and I can’t help wanting some of that aimed at me. Rose shakes my hand like I might be contagious.

“How’s training going? I can’t wait to go to one of your games.”

“I have three games circled on my calendar that don’t conflict with your schedule. I’ll text you the dates.” Her smile for her brother matches his and when they embrace, he lifts her off the floor in true big brother style.

I dart a glance at my brothers who are waiting patiently for their introductions, eying Link with everything from curiosity to animosity. Oh boy. I start by introducing my Granny.

He hugs her and she laughs. “You’re bigger than I expected,” she says and she’s not joking.

I hear Rose say under her breath to her sisters, “That’s what she said just before the bed broke.” I bite my lip to stop my laugh.

I introduce him to my uncles and aunt. He holds onto me, making me feel like the lie is okay. Like maybe it’s not all fake.

But fuck no—I can’t go there. Not even soaking in all his warmth and confidence can make me cave into those feelings that creep around the edges of my consciousness. I need to keep alert and on guard at all times.

Like right now, the way he’s looking at me, the way he’s so sweet to Granny telling her how he can see how beauty runs in the family.

“Being a wise ass runs in the family too,” she says and he laughs, his eyes crinkling and his dimple showing, an authentic laugh, as if he likes Granny. For real.