Page 45 of Puck Love

Iwake to pain.Itry to open my eyes, but it’s too bright, so I scratch at the thing sticking out of my hand. I hit what feels like tape, and a plastic tube, and call me a baby, but it hurts like a bitch. So does my head, and there’s that ever-present ache in myshoulder.

“Hey, look who’s awake. It’s Ice Man.” Eli’s irritatingly familiar voice rattles around in my head, and judging by the harsh florescent overhead lights, and the fucking needle in my arm, I’m in a hospital bed. “Welcome back,asshole.”

“Ah, shit. What the fuckhappened?”

“You don’t remember ourcapitainebeating the shit out of you on theice?”

“Goddamnprick.”

“He’s onsuspension.”

I roll my eyes, and even that hurts like a bitch.Fucking concussions. “Great, but where does that leave theteam?”

“Fucked if I know. I been here with your dumb ass allafternoon.”

“Where’s Emmett?”Stella. Shit. What happened to Stella? Did she see Gagnon beating the shit outta me? Did someone recognizeher?

“Downstairs with yourmaman, drinking the shit hospital coffee in thela cafétéria. They’re minus a speech therapist, though,” he says with a grin, and I don’t even have to ask, because I know what’scoming.

“Fuck.”

“Yeah, secret’sout.”

“How out, exactly?” I attempt to sit up, and he pushes me back against thepillow.

“Easy, there. You hit your head prettyhard.”

“Where is she? Where’s Stella?” The heartrate monitor beeps through theroof.

“I took her to theairport.”

“What the fuck, man? What the hell did you do that for? Jesus Christ. I’m gonna need alift.”

“Hey, chill the fuck out. I just wanted to see your reaction. She’s at your house. Speech therapist, my ass. You know, you scared the shit out ofher.”

“Does my mom know? You didn’t tell anyone, did you? Please tell me you didn’t fuck this up forme.”

“I don’t think I like what you’re implying. I can keep a secret, Ross.” He laughs. “But the fact that you’re so cagey makes me know you’re in way over your headhere.”

“It’s not even likethat.”

“You should have seen her face. Em and I had to talk her down from flying right into the hospital to hold yourhand.”

“You did?” I attempt to sit up again, but my head spins. I try shrugging. My shoulder isn’t on board with this action either. “I mean, I’m sure it’s just because she’s never seen a game or anythingbefore.”

“Oui, je suis sûr que c'estexactement.”

“English,asshole.”

“Yeah, I’m sure that’s it exactly,” Eli deadpans. “Did you fuck heryet?”

“No.”

“What? She’s been hiding out in your house and you haven’t slipped itin?”

“Don’t be adick.”

“What?Elle est chaude. Je labaiserais.”

“I don’t know what the hell you just said, but I don’t like your tone. You better shut the fuck up right this second because if you don’t, I’m gonna climb out of this bed and strangle you with the tube from my fuckingIV.”

“Ha! See? You might not be getting any, but you’re fucked eitherway.”

He’s right. I am fucked, because Stella Hart, the hottest woman I’ve ever met, has been in my house for weeks and despite that one little kiss, I haven’t made a move yet, and I’m not sure she’ll be happy if I do. I promised her refuge from a world that wants too much from her, and I can’t very well drive her away with unwanted advances, but I’ll go fucking crazy if I don’t get to touch her, to taste her, to fuck her. And I don’t care. Eli’s right; I’m shacking up with a virgin, and still I find myself well and trulyfucked.

JesusChrist.