Page 50 of Pucking Bad Boys

I run a hand through my hair, so frustrated that it takes me a second to find the words to explain how I feel. “No, Gen. I don’t want to fuck you. Like I didn’t want to kiss you.”

“Why the heck not?” She looks shocked. Again.

“Because I don’t like being used as a pawn in one of your schemes.”

Gen bats her eyes, the picture of innocence. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Becks.”

“I could have believed you if you hadn’t started kissing me the second Mack refused to dance with you. I guess being treated like a means to an end is what I deserve for believing that you genuinely wanted to be my friend and help me get settled and meet new people on campus. You just asked me to the party because you thought that would make Mack jealous.”

The crazy thing is that she doesn’t even try to deny it. “So what if I did?”

“If you were truly my friend, you would have been honest about your motives. Real friends don’t use their friends.”

At last, my words hit the target. Or at least I think they do when Gen’s perfectly shaped brows knit together.

“Oh my God.” she gasps, her eyes wide with surprise. “You like the charity case. That’s why you’re so mad that I kissed you. You think I ruined your chances with Talia Prescott.”

That’s part of the problem, of course. “It isn’t just that. I don’t like being used, Gen. What you did was really shitty, Gen.”

Again, her reaction is the total opposite of what I expect.

“The thing is, Becks,” she shrugs. “That I wasn’t just trying to use you. I mean, it’s true that I thought seeing us kiss would make your brother jealous. But I would have never kissed you if I didn’t want you.”

I run a hand over my face. “You aren’t making any sense, Gen.”

She comes closer. Her movements are slow, calculated. She reminds me of a cat stalking its prey. “Think about it, Becks. We could be the hottest couple on campus. I could help your social life really take off. And I could keep you sexually satisfied. Youwouldn’t have to waste your time trying to get laid and keep your focus on your game.”

“You make it sound so transactional. What about love and attraction?”

Gen runs a finger over the edge of my jaw. “I know you’re attracted to me. You’ve had a crush on me since we were kids.”

Some of my anger wanes at the hint of doubt in her voice. Genevieve has always put on a confident, arrogant front. But she always showed me a different, softer side. The side that needed reassurance and validation. That was what made me like her even more than her obvious exterior beauty.

“Gen,” my tone softens. I’m still angry at her, but I don’t want to hurt her. “That was six years ago. I’ve moved on since then. Seeing you with Mack definitely helped me realize that my feelings for you were one-sided. A childish crush.”

More of that vulnerability flickers in her gaze. “But the physical attraction is still there. I see the way you look at me. And we’re still friends. We could really be something together. I could help you become more popular than Mack. You’re just as good as your brother on the ice. You know why there isn’t the same hype and interest around you? Because I helped him build a solid social media presence. Being great on the ice is just one part of the equation in today’s hockey. Teams want stars that will elevate their profile beyond game day. Mack was just one of many young prospects before I got involved and helped him build a brand. Then he becamethe prospect. I could help you do the same. You could get a better contract than your brother. Show the world that you’re the real star of the Shayba family. Together, we’d be a powerhouse. You would win on the ice and I would take care of all the rest for you. We both come from hockey royalty. It’s in our genes, and we could pass it on to our kids. Produce the next generation of champions. And Mack will only have himself to blame for missing out on all of that.He’s gonna want what you have for once and not the other way around.”

For one second, I picture it.

The golden contract, the fame, the fans. Even the legacy we could build beyond what our fathers achieved in their Hall of Fame careers.

We could really have it all, and finally our families and the world would stop looking at me like Macklin Shayba’s little brother.

Mack would find himself in my shadow.

But it doesn’t take long for the power-drunk haze induced by Gen’s offer to dissipate.

Mack has refused to discuss why he ended things with Gen.

For the first time, I think I might have an idea of the reason behind what looked like a sudden, reckless decision.

There is one thing that Gen never mentioned when she painted the vivid picture of our future together. She never once mentioned love.

What kind of relationship she and Mack had is none of my business; but if what they had was a brand rather than a true love connection, I would understand Mack’s choice to walk away.

Mack can be a cocky little shit, annoying as hell, but he has a big heart and his heart has always been in the right place.

If Gen was offering everything but her heart, it would be a deal breaker for him.