Pucked Over (Pucked 3)

As Tash and I step out onto the deck in the backyard, her heel catches between two boards. I catch her before she can go down.

“Oh, crap! These shoes were a stupid idea.”

“You’re fine. I got you.”

She puts a hand on my shoulder and twists around so she can see what’s keeping her locked to the deck.

“Damn it. It’s really stuck!” She jerks her foot a couple of times.

“Let me see if I can get it.”

Just as I bend down, I spot Lily. She’s wearing a little blue dress, her lean legs on display. It reminds me of her figure skating outfits. It’s light and flowy, covering everything and not enough at the same time. And fucking Kirk is talking to her. He’s a dog.

I hold onto Tash’s ankle and tug. Her heel slips free, and her elbow comes up fast. I don’t have enough time to react. She connects with my nose.

“Ah, fuck!” I grunt and fold forward.

“Oh, shit!” Off balance from the unexpected freedom, Tash stumbles into me, her drink splashing on my shoe.

I’d like to care, but my face is throbbing, and my eyes are watering, so the drink isn’t nearly the issue it would be otherwise.

“Are you okay?” Tash takes my glass and sets it on the deck.

I’m surprised I was still holding it. All I can do is make a groaning sound.

“Do you have words?” She takes my face in her hands. “Randy?”

This time more than noise comes out. “Fuuuuuuuuuck.”

“I’m so sorry.”

I straighten and try to shake it off. “I’m dying.”

She laughs, but man, an uppercut to the nose hurts.

“Hey, guys—” Lance’s voice permeates the haze of pain. I turn to look at him, processing his confusion as it turns quickly to anger, which he aims at Tash. “The fuck is going on?”

All of the sudden it’s quiet on the deck.

Tash rolls her eyes. “Calm yourself, Lance.”

He points a hand in my direction. “Why are you all up on Ballistic?”

“I banged him.”

Lance seems more upset by this revelation than necessary. “You what? When?”

“Like two seconds ago,” Tash replies.

“How’s that possible?” He looks from me to her. “You make a pit stop in a bathroom before you came out here?”

“What?” Tash looks confused.

“Huh?” All I want is to lie down with an icepack on my face. These people are crazy.

“You’re a real piece of work, Tash. I can’t leave you alone for five minutes without you jumping someone.”

Tash’s eyes go wide, and her mouth drops. Her hand rises in smack mode.

I get in front of her before she can follow through with the bitch slap, which Lance may actually deserve. “That’s not what she meant by banged,” I tell him. “She elbowed me in the nose, by accident.”

“What?” Lance grabs the back of his neck.

Tash shakes her head. “I knew this was a bad idea.”

She pushes past him and goes back inside.

“Fuck. Shit. Tash, wait.” He goes after her.

Well, I guess Miller called it. There’s definitely something going on there. Or was.Chapter 8What’s Up with Bathrooms?LILYThis creepy dude named Kirk won’t leave me alone. I don’t know where Sunny went. Or Miller. I scan the crowd again as he goes on and on about how amazing he is. He’s old, or older anyway. He’s got a few gray hairs at his temples and some creases around his eyes. I think he might be balding, but I can’t be sure because I’m a lot shorter than he is. I’d put him in his mid-thirties. But he’s not wearing a wedding ring, so I could be wrong about that, too.

Right about now I’d glom onto Momma Two if it meant I could lose this guy. Commotion on the deck pulls my already divided attention away from his monologue. Randy’s standing outside the French doors. Oh, God. He looks so, so good. He’s wearing black pants and a dark button-down shirt. It’s blue—almost the same color as my dress. We match, and we didn’t even plan it.

Then there’s this tall, incredibly built, very pretty woman with her hands on his face. She looks concerned. He looks—other than hot—intense. His hand is on her shoulder, and they’re close-talking.

I get that feeling—the same one I get when I make a mistake in competition. My whole body heats up and cools down at the same time. My stomach knots.

“I’m sorry.” I turn to Kirk, who’s still talking. “You’ll have to excuse me.”

I don’t wait for his response. I turn toward the house. Fortunately, I don’t have to pass Randy on the way inside since there’s another door. I enter through the kitchen and run into Sunny.

“There you are! I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” she exclaims.

Miller’s leaning against the counter, stuffing appetizers into his mouth. He’s got a satisfied look on his face. I bet they disappeared somewhere to get it on. They’ve been doing that all day.