Pucking Parker (Face-Off Legacy/Campus Kings 1)

“Coach probably doesn’t let her date.”

“Nah, Bex didn’t act like she’d just seen her first naked man. She seemed uncomfortable walking through the locker room, but she wasn’t terrified of all the dicks hanging out. And you heard her. Nothing she hadn’t seen before.”

“I think that comment was meant for me.”

He laughs. “Maybe. She doesn’t seem to like you very much. What did you do to get under skin already?”

“Nothing. She’s been like that with me from the second she crashed into me in the locker room.”

“Yeah. But she’s meeting your mom. She loosened up a lot after you offered to take her with you on Saturday. You forgot to mention the games last all day.” He chuckles. “Wait until she finds out she’s spending the entire day with your mom… and my dad.”

“You should come, too.” I lean over to steal a paper cup from the holder on the wall next to the water fountain and pour some for myself. “It’s going to be a long day. Bex will need someone to talk to when I’m busy helping out with the kids.”

I down the cup and fill it again, before Jamie is at my side, helping himself.

“Depends on how drunk I get on Friday night after the game.”

I frown at his comment. “Dude, we just talked about this. For a smart guy, sometimes you’re so dense. Stay in and play video games with me instead. Your dad’s new game is pretty sick.”

“Oh, I know. Right? I was playing Mage Wars last night, drunk off my ass. The graphics were insane and even better with a good buzz going.”

Jamie’s father is a video game developer. His company, Foxy Industries, is one of the largest tech companies in the world. He named the company Foxy, after the nickname he calls Jamie’s mom. His parents have weird names for each other.

Once the leg machine is free, Jamie plops down on the seat before I have the chance. But he needs it more, so I let it slide. He removes the towel hanging from his pocket and wipes down the equipment.

“We should play later,” I say, and he peeks up at me with a wicked grin.

“Think you can keep up with me?”

I throw my hand out at him and laugh. “Please. More like can you keep up with me. Seriously, though, you should stay in with me after the game, kill off a few levels with me, and come to the games on Saturday. If you’re there, Bex might lower her guard more. She’s probably thinking it’s a date or some shit.”

“I guess,” Jamie says after a long pause. “But I’m not leaving the house at the ass crack of dawn with you. I’ll meet you and Bex for the second half of the games. Maybe Bex has some hot friends she can bring along for me. And I’ll warm up to her… do some recon for you.”

I slap him on the back, and he groans. “I knew I could count on my wingman.”

He huffs. “You know, you could just ask Bex whatever you want to know. Stop acting like such a pussy.”

I let out a frustrated groan. “Whatever. I’m going to go hit the showers. I’ll catch you later.”

“I’m making dinner later,” he says, out of breath from lifting the bar. “Make sure you’re home.”

I narrow my eyes at him, confused as fuck. “You’re making dinner? In the microwave? You don’t know how to cook.”

“One of the girls I met last week is coming over after she’s done work. Since she’s making dinner for me, by extension, she’s now cooking for the entire house.”

“Sounds good. Don’t do anything stupid. I don’t want my food poisoned.”

He laughs. “Nah, Shannon is cool. You should see the body on this chick. She’s a dancer.”

“Explains a lot. So, you’re paying a stripper to make us dinner? I think I’ll take my chances with the cafeteria.”

Jamie snorts. “I’m not pathetic. Give me some credit, Prez. She’s in some dance contest this weekend at The Sixth Floor. There’s a cash prize for the best female dance group. You should come.”

I raise a curious eyebrow at him. “I don’t know. A dance competition? Sounds kind of lame.”

“It’s at a nightclub.”

“I’ve been to The Sixth Floor before.”

He grunts after his last rep, straining himself to lift the bar. “Oh, right. We went there last year for a Thirsty Thursday special. Anyway, the contest is open to the public. Don’t tell me you’re going to turn down the chance to look at a bunch of half-naked girls working their way through college.”

“Anyone we know going?”

He sets the weights down with a loud grunt. “Some of the girls from Kappa will be there. It’s a sorority thing. I think.”

“Are Drake, Tuck, and Trent going?”

He shoots me a look, as if I’m crazy. “Are you kidding? They’re all over it. You should be, too. A club full of drunk, horny girls? Who would want to miss that?”