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

I sigh. “I know, Coach. Sorry, I’m a little off my game today.”

He nods. “You can say that.”

“I’ll be on my A game,” I promise.

“I hope so,” he says, and then his eyes shift to the rest of the group. “Okay, ladies, I want to see the last two teams on the court right now.”

The six of us, who were on the court, walk over to the bench, dead tired. We’ve been going at it for hours non-stop and with little breaks.

Mental note—no more drinking the night before practice.

I never do stupid shit like this. I also never hook up with disgustingly sexy hockey players either. So, there’s that. I have to purge Preston from my system… if possible.

“You okay?” Taylor asks me.

I take a sip from my water bottle. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired. Late night.”

“You look like hell.”

I roll my eyes at her, and then drizzle some of the water over my head. “Thanks a lot. You know, we all can’t be like you and drink all night and crush it.”

“My hangover cure works every time. You should stop doubting my methods and try it sometime.”

I stick my tongue out. “Gross. Blended raw vegetables and protein powder? Nah, I’m good.”

“It’s more than that.” She shrugs. “Don’t knock it until you try it.”

“I’d rather not drink. Like ever again.” I plop down on the bench next to Taylor, letting out a loud groan. “That should take care of the problem.”

“So…” She gives me an odd look. “What happened last night with you know who?”

Taylor knows better than to say his name around the rest of the team.

“What do you think happened?”

Her eyes widen, and she covers her mouth with her hand, surprised. She slowly lowers her hand, speaking between her fingers. “You guys hooked up. Wow! How was he? Does he live up to his reputation?”

I nod. “Oh, yeah. In every way.”

“Lucky girl. When are you seeing him again?”

“It was a one-time thing. He knows the deal.”

She raises her eyebrows. “Are you insane? You need to make it a permanent thing.”

“Things got weird this morning in front of his team.” I keep my voice low enough so the other girls on the bench with us can’t overhear. “He asked me about Kellan.”

“You told him?”

“Well, no, but Shannon was there. She made us all breakfast. My dad’s rules came up, and when Shannon asked about them, she guessed the reason behind them. He looked like he was going to jump out of his skin when I told him he knows the guy.”

“What did you tell him?”

“It was awkward. I kinda yelled at him in front of his friends and then brushed it off, like I would tell him later.”

“Are you going to tell him?”

“No need to. We’re not together. I don’t owe him an explanation about my past. It’s none of his business.”

“If he knew the truth, he would probably beat the shit out of Kellan. Wouldn’t that make you feel better?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. It was so long ago. I’m over it now. There’s no reason to dig up the past. I just want to move on with my life, you know.”

“Yeah, I get that.” She lifts a towel from the bench and wipes her face. “If you never get close to anyone, you never have to tell them anything. Isn’t that the Bex Bryant way?”

“It’s for the best. Don’t you think?”

She frowns. “If you say so.”

I say so.

Chapter Thirteen

Preston

I think Bex broke my dick. It’s been four days since we had sex, and now I get hard every time I think about her. She’s across the cafeteria with her teammates. But she has no idea I’m here. If she does, she hasn’t shown the slightest indication. Anyway, I’m like a twelve-year-old boy all over again. And she doesn’t want a repeat. Or so she says.

After I fill my plate with grilled chicken and vegetables, I pay the cashier for my meal and head over to the table in the corner of the cafeteria to sit with my friends.

“About time,” Jamie says, peeking up at me. “Where have you been?”

“I stayed behind to talk to my professor.”

His eyebrows rise. “You in trouble?”

I set my tray down on the other side of the table from Jamie, sitting next to Drake. Trent and Tucker are missing for some reason.

“Nah, nothing like that.” I lift the fork from my plate and dig into the broccoli. “He wanted to talk to me about my last paper.”

“Did you fail?”

I shake my head. “No. He wants to use it as an example for future classes and asked me if I was okay with him sharing it.”

“And here, I’m supposed to be the smart one in the family,” Jamie deadpans.

I roll my eyes at him. “You wish.”

At the end of the table, a few girls are picking at their salads. Some of my teammates must have called them over. I’ve never seen them before.