Page 91 of Pucking Bad Boys

After being rooted to this spot, my feet choose this moment to start working again.

“Hey Talia,” I greet her as I round the corner and come into her view.

“Becks.”

Her eyes search my face. Is she wondering how long was I standing here? I think she is because she blushes.

I thank all the hockey gods that I changed into jeans rather than sweatpants after practice, despite having to go to the gym with Vaughn later. I dropped tomato sauce on my sweatpants at lunch, and I didn’t want to go to the library in dirty clothes.

My klutziness is a godsend because I’m still hard but it’s a little less noticeable in jeans.

“I came to check if you and Mack needed help carry any books back to our table.”

It’s a stupid excuse since my brother was with her and the library has carts to help students move books from the shelves to their tables. But if Talia thinks I’m full of shit, she doesn’t give it away.

“Thank you, but there weren’t that many books about garum. Mack is carrying most of them. I was still checking out this one.” She picks up a book that was left open on the cart.

“How are things?” I ask. “I’ve been meaning to come to Joe’s for a drink, hoping to see you there, but I’ve been way too tired after practice.”

She smiles and I can’t help but love the way it lights up her entire face. “It would have been nice to see you, but I hope you understand I still wouldn’t serve you.” Her blue eyes shine with mischief. “Beavis.”

I hate when my teammates call me Beavis, but I don’t care if Talia does. It’s like an inside joke between us.

“That’s right.” I chuckle. “I should get myself a fake ID with a more credible name. Like you suggested the night we met.”

Talia shakes her head. “I still couldn’t serve you because I would know it’s fake. But it might be useful if you go anywhere else in town, or if you get a different bartender at Joe’s.”

It’s my turn to tease her. “Really? You wouldn’t blow me?” Fuck, what am I saying? “I mean, my cover.” I force out at lightning speed. “I meant if you wouldn’t blow my cover.”

Talia doesn’t take offense at my verbal slip up. Thank fuck.

“No. I grew up with Tucker and three more brothers. Trust me, I know what happens to snitches.”

“Yeah?” I tease her. “What happens to them?”

She rolls her eyes, laughing. “They get stitches and end up in ditches. Especially if they’re little bitches.”

“I’ve never heard that last part.”

“Because it’s my family’s version. I can’t remember which one of my brothers came up with it one time when I told on them.”

Without thinking, I reach out and tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. “I would never. I could never hurt one hair on you, pretty girl.”

Shit. What the fuck am I doing? First, I watched my crush getting finger banged by my brother, and now I flirt with her?

I should really stop thinking about Talia as my crush and remind myself that she’s my brother’s girlfriend.

“Thank you.” She whispers and she doesn’t shy away from my touch.

We hold each other’s gazes for a long moment; the air between us is crackling with electricity, like the night we met.

If she weren’t dating my brother, this would be my second chance to kiss her.

But Talia isn’t mine, and it doesn’t matter how much I want her. How much I think I could make her happier than he can. She isn’t mine. I have to remember that.

“Let’s go back to our table.” I sigh, dropping my hands. “I have to meet Vaughn for an extra workout soon, and we should get as much work done as we can when we’re all together.”

“Ok.”