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

“Really?” Her eyebrows rise. “I find that hard to believe.”

“It’s true. JP is more like my mom in almost every way. He never took to hockey, at least not the way I did, and he hates the cold.”

She laughs. “That’s interesting. I would have thought hockey was a mandatory requirement in your family.”

“He’s the brains—”

“And you’re the beauty,” she finishes for me, laughing.

“No, that wasn’t what I was going to say. But... thanks, I guess.”

I want more of Bex. More time. More of her mouth. My brain and body are in complete agreement, with my body winning out. I need to see her again, preferably off-campus and away from her father. Saturday cannot come fast enough.

She stares at me, biting her cut lip. I strip the glove from my hand and touch her cheek, moving my thumb over her lip.

“How did this happen?”

“I took one for the team,” she says with a straight face.

“Bex likes it rough,” her friend chimes.

I laugh, my mind now wandering to dirty places. Her friend’s comment makes me think of sex. Regardless of Bex’s cracked lip, I want to take it between my teeth so fucking bad. She taunts me without even realizing she’s doing it. Fucking tease.

A long pause ensues between us before Bex says, “You stink, Parker. Go take a shower.”

I laugh. “Is that a yes?”

“It’s not a no.”

My God, I love her mouth.

“What about your dad?” her friend asks.

“Oh, right. We’re supposed to have dinner with my dad. I can’t. But I’ll see you on Friday.”

“Can I call you?”

She dismisses the idea with a quick shake of her head. “No, I don’t like talking on the phone.”

“Texts, then?”

She shrugs. “Umm…” Bex looks at her friend for confirmation this is okay, which strikes me as odd.

Why does her friend give a shit if I text her?

“Yeah,” her friend says. “Text her later.”

I hold out my hand. “We haven’t met. I’m Preston Parker. And you are?”

“Taylor Bradshaw. Bex’s roommate.”

“You forgot teammate,” Bex says, now looking at me. “Taylor is also my best friend.”

“Nice to meet you, Taylor.” I shove the glove back on my hand. “Nice seeing you, Bex. I’ll text you later, okay?”

She nods.

I leave Bex and Taylor behind and head toward the locker room to catch up with the rest of my team.

“Parker.” Coach Bryant summons me with a stern look on his face. “Can I have a word?”

Shit.

“Yeah, Coach.”

“Stay away from Bex,” he growls. “She’s not like other girls.”

“That’s a good thing,” I admit.

It’s also the reason I have trouble staying away from her.

“I mean, she’s not like the girls you date… if you catch my drift.”

“I’m taking her to meet my mom on Saturday. Is that not okay?”

His expression softens, the corners of his mouth slowly turning up into a smile. “Yes, that’s fine and nice of you to arrange. Promise me you will keep it at that. Someday, you’ll be a star—just like your dad. Bex won’t fit into that equation. She’s had enough disappointments in her life, she doesn’t need another one.” He pats me on the back. “You get what I’m saying, right?”

“Sure,” I mutter, somewhat annoyed. “I got it, Coach.”

Sitting on the edge of the mattress, with my cell phone in hand, I call my mom.

On the first ring, her voice blares through the speaker. “You’ve got Coach.”

My mom is all business, all the time.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Oh, hey, sweetie. I didn’t realize it was you. I’m driving over the Brooklyn Bridge right now to see a client. I didn’t even look at the Caller ID. Is everything okay?” She sounds worried. “How come you’re calling on my business line?”

“I didn’t even notice,” I confess. “I hit the first number on my speed dial.”

“So, what’s up? Everything okay at school?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine, Mom.” I lay back on my bed, holding the phone to my ear. “I’m bringing someone with me on Saturday.”

“Who is it? Do I know him?”

“No. It’s a girl.”

“Ooh, this is great.” She can’t contain her excitement, her voice rising to a higher octave. “You’re finally letting me meet a girl you’re dating. About time.”

I laugh. “No, Mom, it’s nothing like that. You know I don’t date.”

She chuckles. “Like father, like son. Maybe this girl will be the one to change your mind. I did that for your dad.”

I make a gagging sound, and she laughs.

My parents are so sappy, still so madly in love after twenty-five years together. They showed me a love like theirs is possible. But I’m not ready for all of that. I have my career to worry about.

“She’s not the one, Mom. Her dad is my coach. Coach Bryant already gave me the lecture about dating his daughter. She plays basketball for Strick U. She’s a big fan of yours.”

“Well, I would love to meet Coach Bryant’s daughter. He’s doing an incredible job with you and the team.” I can almost hear the smile crossing her lips. “What’s her name?”