Page 101 of Puck Love

“It’s not awkward,” Stella says in a high-pitched voice, and then gives a nervous laugh. “Okay, maybe it’s a little awkward, but it doesn’t need tobe.”

“Are yousure?”

“Of course.” Stella nods. “Sit down. We could all use adrink.”

Eli pulls a chair out for Ronnie, and I can’t help but notice ballbuster rolls her eyes. “Something wrong,Lana?”

“No, nothing at all. Just that our quiet Christmas has turned into a meal with savages. What could possibly bewrong?”

“Lana,” Stellachastises.

“You know what? I think I need to liedown.”

Eli grins. “You let me know if you want company,huh?”

Lana turns to him with a sneer. “Oh, I think you have your hands fullalready.”

“Excuse me,” Stella says, as she follows her manager up thestairs.

“Well, this isn’t awkward at all. Thanks for fucking the holidays royally, Boucher,” I say. Eli just sticks his finger up, and I head to the bar because I need a stiff drink, and I need these assholes gone, yesterday. I pour a whiskey neat and salute the room. “Merry fuckingChristmas.”