Page 24 of Dumping the Puck (Men of Havoc #4)

We take our seats away from the girls, and I’m not impressed that they sent us away. I was looking forward to spending time with Wren, even if it is in a packed bar.

“I need to know what asshat I just kicked out of this bar.” Sanders finally asks.

He just joined the team last winter when he was traded from Miami after just one full season on their team. I don’t know why they even drafted him, they never played him. He’s going to be a great player. Havoc is lucky to have him.

“My brother.” His eyes go wide. “Obviously there’s some bad blood.”

“Yeah, like he was Wren’s fiancé. Cheated on her, and Kayce knocked him out at the wedding then ran away with his girl.”

I glare at Viktor. “Thanks for that recap.”

“You’re welcome.” He takes a swig of his beer, smiling at his little recap like my life is his favorite show.

“Shit. That’s a lot. And he’s suing you?”

“It’s bullshit, but it’s annoying enough to piss me off and stress Wren out.” I throw back my beer.

It’s been about an hour and the girls have stayed true to their game, enough so that the bartender caught on and just has shots lined up ready for them.

I watch as another girl approaches the table with her two friends. I shake my head as Sanders adds the napkin to the growing pile on the table and then peek back at Wren.

“If we don’t stop them soon, they’re going to end up in the emergency room with alcohol poisoning.” I point over my shoulder at the girls.

The three of them are huddled together, staring at the last round of shots that was just delivered.

“Yup. Okay, time to end this mess.” Sanders pushes back and we both follow him.

Walking over to Wren, nuzzling into her neck, I whisper into her ear. “Are you ready to go home?”

“You gonna tie me up again?” she slurs.

“I didn’t tie you up, darlin’. I blindfolded you.”

“Ooh. I want both.” She falls back into me.

“Okay little minx. Let’s get you home and then we can talk about it.”

She stands, and immediately topples over. I reach out to catch her before she hits the floor. Charley does the same.

“Shit. Where does she live?” Sanders asks as he holds up my assistant.

“You brought her out and don’t even know where she lives?” I raise a brow.

“I mean,” he flounders for an answer. “It’s not like she ever invited me over. We’re a little more…casual.”

“You’re a fucking ass. You hurt her and I will come for you.” I threaten, ineffectively as Wren is trying to kiss my neck.

“Hey man, none of this is my choice. She’s a fucking pain in my ass. But I can’t stay away.”

“Yea. That’s how we all ended up here.” Viktor laughs, scooping Calliope into his arms to carry her back to the stadium’s garage.

Sanders and I look at each other, nod, and do the same with Wren and Charley. It’s much more effective than making their feet work at a pace that wouldn't get us home before sunrise.

The three of us pile the girls into our cars. I give Sanders permission to bring Charley back to his house if he keeps his hands to himself, and I trust him. She needs a little push to give in and let someone take care of her. I know the real Charley. The one who cried on my couch for two days when her high-school sweetheart left her to take a promotion in California and didn’t so much as ask her to come.

Wren already has the music going in my truck and is belting out her favorite Dixie Chicks song, Cowboy Take Me Away.

That song is the whole reason Daddy and I planted an entire section of bluebonnets when I was fourteen. I wanted to let her lay on that pillow of bluebonnets while we watched the stars. I thought I was doing everything I could to let her know how I felt about her.

She serenades me the entire ride home, each song getting worse than the last. As we pull into the garage she’s attempting to rap Big Poppa by Notorious B.I.G.

“Okay, Biggie, let’s get you inside.” I unbuckle her seatbelt and rush around to the other side to grab her.

She giggles at my nickname. “I’m pretty good at rappin’ Johnny. You better watch out, I'll be more famous than you!” She boops me on the nose like I’m some adorable Labrador puppy.

“Yeah, I’d love to see that happen, June.” I deposit her in my bed, and head off to find her pajamas and Advil.

When I return, she’s passed out like a starfish with her limbs going in every direction.

Sighing, I get her into her pajamas and curl her up on one side of the bed, tucking her in and leaving the Advil next to her with some water on the table.

Even passed out asleep with her hair covering her face, she’s still the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.

Wren is not having a great time this morning. She’s taken the Advil and drank the water, but she’s cursing Charley.

I came down to make her some peppermint tea and a greasy breakfast sandwich. The two things I swear by for a hangover.

My phone buzzes on the counter, it’s Martin.

“Kayce Bicknelle,” I answer.

“Kayce, It’s Martin. I’ve got an answer for you.”

I’ve always liked Martin’s inability for small talk. He gets right to the point and doesn’t mince words.

“Hopefully a good one. I want this mediation to be done and to over. Then, I want a no-contact order for them.”

“It’s great news for you, not so much for them. Gary placed a pretty sizable bet on the first in season Havoc’s game. He bet on them winning, but a prop bet on you specifically. So when you got suspended, he lost the bet. They’re about to lose everything, Kayce. At least what's left. He’s been gambling pretty heavily the last year and they don’t have much left to lose. The amount they’re suing you for is the exact amount they need to keep the house.”

An idea pops in my head. I run it by Martin, and he’s excited to bring this forward to them at mediation. Two more days and I’ll have my answer. Along with a no-contact order.

The anger of seeing Cameron has dissipated. I’ve grieved my dream for a long time when Daddy died and I knew I wouldn’t get a thing from Mom. Now it’s back within my reach.

I load up the tray with Wren’s breakfast and tea to bring up to her in bed, where, if you ask her, she’s currently dying and I should be planning her funeral.

“Hey, June, you ready for the hangover cure?”

She just groans into the pillow.

“It’ll help, I promise.” I place the tray down on the nightstand next to her. She rolls slowly as I sit down on the edge. “I’ll feed you.”

“That might actually entice me to function. Can we be lazy and watch TV all day since you don’t have a game?” She sits up and I fluff the pillow behind her head.

“I do have to be at the rink for game review with Coach and the team for a couple of hours, but I can make Charley come over?”

“No. Fuck Charley. This is her fault.” She pouts.

Laughing, I pick up the sandwich to feed her, but she takes it from my hands and shoves a large bite in her mouth.

“Thisissogood,” she mumbles over another bite.

“So I got a call from Martin.” Her eyes widen. “It’s good news. We have a plan for mediation and everything will work out for us. I promise.”

I know she’s harboring a lot of guilt over the whole lawsuit. Especially burning the suits, but luckily we were able to find duplicates to dry clean, so we will bring them with us to mediation. I could give a shit less about buying suits, because I’m about to gain so much more.

“Are you sure? I’m so sorry I dragged you into this mess. I’ll never be able to repay you or fix it.” She slowly puts her food down on the plate looking up at me.

Leaning in to kiss her on the forehead, “I’m sure, June. So sure.”

She gives me a weak smile in response and I settle in on my side against the pillows next to her. “Are we watching The Bachelor?”

“You know I won’t say no .” She watches the TV over the lip of her tea cup, taking small sips of the peppermint tea.

I stare at her and I can’t help, but think that I’m about to get everything I’ve ever dreamed of.