Page 83 of Lucky Puck

She gives me a side-eye and I laugh. “It used to be a secret hang-out. Now it’s infamous. We may need to find a new place.”

“Why bother? Don’t you enjoy fan adulation?”

I can’t tell if she’s serious or sassing me, but we reach our table and I get enveloped by my teammates, in particular, by Ax.

Brooks gets swallowed by my friends' wives and I lose track of her for a second. When I find her across the table, down several seats, I make a point to give her a nod of encouragement and keep my eye on her for the duration.

Ax is in the process of pouring a round of beers from a pitcher when Link elbows me and says, “Look who’s here.”

I turn to follow his line of sight and let out a groan. Then I spin back to find Brooks. Her eyes are pinned on the two women pushing their way through the crowd, relentlessly heading in our direction. I see rather than hear her gulp. She turns to me with an expression like she’s in real pain.

Kara reaches me first, whispering an apology—followed by Nora Shade.

“Shit,” I mutter and rise from my stool.

Link puts himself between Nora and me and I hustle my way around the other side of the table toward Brooks. She’s already standing like she’s going to make a run for it. Can’t say I blame her, but she has the upper hand on Nora, especially after that slap, because she has me on her side.

I reach her before she gets far and wrap an arm around her. “Stay. With me.”

She stares into my eyes like she’s reading me, and we have a moment of understanding, like we’re actually communicating between our minds without words.

“Where did you think I was going?”

“To stand at my side.” I only realize it’s true as the words escape from my soul. My chest tightens, but I let the notion wash over me and chase the tension away.

She nods. The overwhelming need to kiss her, to embrace her as if I could make her part of me, part of my body, takes over and I crush her mouth with mine, owning her, communicating my appreciation, my acceptance, and especially my need, the best way I know how.

There’s a loud guffaw and the sound of silverware clinking against glass gains volume until it penetrates our bubble. Even so, I take my time ending the kiss, nibbling her lips, kissing her jaw, and sucking an earlobe, enjoying the shiver that visibly moves her.

Her eyes are glassy, and we share one last moment of our silent connection before turning our attention to my friends—our friends—as they make a fuss at our expense, laughing and whistling.

“That was some performance,” Nora says loud enough to be heard over the ruckus. I ignore her, but Link doesn’t. He doesn’t deal well with game playing. Never did, from what I know about him. Delaney is his perfect partner in that regard, a sharp-witted straight shooter. They surround Nora now, and I’m not sure what they’re saying to her, but Nora’s mouth thins to an ugly defiant line.

“I’m staying until I finish my beer,” she says too loudly.

Kara comes to her side and gives Link a don’t-you-dare look because she’s a loyal friend, a ride-or-die friend, and she’s been friends with Nora seemingly her whole life.

“We were just passing through to say hello and catch up, Link,” Kara says. He respects her, as do all the guys on the team, as a fellow hockey player, if nothing else.

He nods.

Kara raises an unclaimed glass of beer from the table. “One more beer should do it.” She sticks by Nora’s side, and the tension eases.

Ax comes around the table with another pitcher to refill our glasses.

“Who appointed you barman for the night?” I ask.

“Self-appointed. Hey, um, what’s the deal with the chick Nora? She seems… I don’t know⁠—”

“She’s an old flame,” I say.

“Ahh. That explains a lot.” He flicks a glance at Brooks and smiles. “Good thing you ditched her for the real deal.” He raises his glass, and we clink ours to his.

“Thank you, Ax. That’s really sweet of you to say.” Brooks touches his arm for emphasis, and not for the first time, I notice she’s a toucher. And I realize I love that about her as I snake my free arm around her waist.

Brooks whispers, “Nora said they were supposed to be going to a party. How did they find us here?”

“Kara knows we always end up here after games. Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle Nora if she says anything else.”