Page 80 of Puck Love

“Listen, we’re here on pretty urgent business, and we have to get back before our coach knows we’ve gone missing. Is there any chance you ladies have a car and want to drive us? We’d totally appreciate it. We’d throw you seasontickets.”

I glare at Eli as if he’s lost his mind. He shrugs, and then sends me a pointed look as if saying, “Do you want to find her or not?” He’s right. I’d much rather just hire a car and try and find Brentwood on our own, but we’re pressed for time, and there don’t seem to be many cabsaround.

“Please?” I beg the girls. “I’mdesperate.”

“Oh, my god, that’s so sweet. I wish I had a man who would do that for me,” the bride-to-be says, and I make aface.

“Your fiancé wouldn’t do that foryou?”

“No.” She pouts. “He’s kind of adouche.”

“Why are you marrying himthem?”

“He’s okay for a first husband.” She shrugs, and Eli and I share a look. I hope the poor bastard knows what he’s gettinginto.

“Come on. I’m designated driver. I’ll take you there, but when you guys get married, I want an invite to thewedding.”

“Done,” I say at the same time that Eli says, “Whoa, marriage? He’s gotta get her to take him backfirst.”

The blonde loops her arm through mine and sets off down the street. “Well, if she doesn’t, you can be my secondhusband.”

“Thanks.” I raise my brows and as inconspicuously as possible, slip my arm from hers, and fall into step beside our driver. “Hey, what’s yourname?”

“Oh, I’m Caitlyn. This is Stacey.” She points to the bride and the rest of her hens. “And that’s Liis andCamille.”

“Van and Eli,” Elisays.

“We know,” Caitlyn squeaks. There’s something about her that’s kind of endearing, in that uber-charged fangirlway.

Fifteen minutes later, Stacey snaps yet another picture and uploads it to Instagram, and I know we’re fucked once Coach finds out that we took an impromptu trip to Nashville, Tennessee. He’s going to kick our asses when we get back, but it will be worth it. I thought about asking them to delete the pictures, but what the hell is the point? It’s going to be everywhere come morning anyway. I just hope I can get to Stella before she sees them. If she sees them. She’s probably blocked all mention of me on social media sites, but I don’t want her thinking I’m partying it up now that she’s gone. Far fromit.

“So, any of you girls know exactly where Stellalives?”

Silence falls over the Jeep and they all look at oneanother.

“Nope.”

“Can we Googleit?”

“I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure she falls into that celebrity category that doesn’t like people knowing where she lives. Not like hockey players. You guys invite people over all the time to raging parties,right?”

“Er. He does.” I point to Eli. “Not methough.”

“Van lives like a hermit in thewoods.”

“Oh yeah. I think I saw that in the pictures of you beating up that paparazzi,” Liis says. “Nice ass, by theway.”

“Thanks,” I deadpan and shoot a glare at Eli, who just shrugs. It takes some investigative work, but when we reach what we believe is Stella’s house to my surprise it’s not in a gated community, but it’s Stella all over. Or at least, it’s the Stella the world knows. It’s not my Stella. Not the woman who slept on my flannel sheets, or the one who seemed perfectly comfortable wearing only a plaid shirt and leggings with no makeupon.

Caitlyn brings the Jeep to a complete stop in front of an intricate wrought-iron gate. I stare at it, wondering how the hell I’m going to get past. I don’t remember Stella saying anything about owning dogs, so I don’t know if I’m going to have my ass chewed off once I climbover.

Eli shoves me. “Don’t puss out on me, Ross. Are you going in ornot?”

“Yeah, I’mgoing.”

“You know, for someone who moved heaven and earth to get here, you sure look like you’re pussing out rightnow.”

“I’m not pussing out. I’m just . . .” I lick my lips, and stare beyond the gate at the small driveway leading to the house. “What if this is a badidea?”