Page 21 of He Has MVP (Boston Brawlers Hockey)
“I’ll keep the dogs out here with me and sleep on the couch.”
“You will?” She looks skeptical and I nod.
She doesn’t thank me, but she retreats to the master bedroom with her book.Fuck. I go back to the fire and stare at the dancing flames, trying to puzzle a way to redeem myself. I’m surprised when she brings back a pillow and blanket for me.
“You’ll need these things if you’re going to get any sleep out here with the dogs.” Her tone makes it clear she thinks this is where I belong. Nothank youin sight for the sacrifice.
“Is that what you think of me? That I’m like a dog?”
“No you’re notlikea dog. Youarea dog.” She flashes a sassy smile, challenging me to disagree, but I don’t bother. Then she turns on her heel and retreats to the bedroom again. This time I know it’s for good when I hear the door shut behind her and the click of the latch loud and clear.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I should be angry, right? That Pink’s not cutting me slack? But I’m not because I know I deserve her skepticism. I have a well-deserved reputation for amusing myself with puck bunnies and I know I have a long way to go to redeem myself even if I haven’t done anything douchey lately. Aside from telling Jillian I’d call her when I had no intention of calling her.
It had been an automatic response, a thoughtless throwaway line. One that feels nasty now that I’m seeing it from Pink’s perspective. She had a front-row seat to my dickhead behavior with women and I know better. Puck bunnies are women and deserve respect. More than me.
Pink is giving me the amount of respect I deserve.Shit.
