Page 5 of Dumping the Puck (Men of Havoc #4)

I walk out of the store to find Kayce standing by the fountain, his hand on his hip and his head thrown back in what looks like frustration while talking to someone on the phone.

Suddenly it dawns on me that he’s in the pre-season. He has games and practices all this week that he couldn’t miss and that’s why he only took three days for the wedding.

I’m so fucking selfish. How did I not think about this?

I walk over to him slowly, giving him time to finish the conversation he’s having. When he spots me he gives me a megawatt smile like I light up his world.

He slides his phone back in his pocket as I approach him and he takes the bags from my hands.

“Ready for this surprise honeymoon, bride?”

“Ugh.” I groan at the word, reminding me that I should be enjoying my first dance with my husband right about now.

“Too soon?” He places his hand on the small of my back ushering me toward the truck.

“Definitely too soon.” I hop into the truck door being held open for me and heave all our bags into the back as Kayce hands them to me.

Once he’s in the truck and we’re both buckled, driving to the airport, I ask again to see if he’ll crack. “So now can I know where we are going?”

“Nope. You’ll know when we land. I’m not ruining the surprise. Charley worked hard and she’d murder me.”

“I’m so glad Charley was able to get the reservations changed. I was worried that you guys would have trouble with everything being in his name. But I guess you’re brothers so you could pretend to be him.”

“Yeah. It’s good,” he responds despondently.

He passes the airport.

“Where are we going?” I ask as he keeps driving.

“The hangar.”

“Um, this is where private jets fly out of?” I stare out my window trying to reconcile with the fact that he’s turning into the private jet hangars.

He doesn’t answer me, just parks next to one of the buildings.

Panic settles in. Cameron is going to lose his shit. This is way too much money on his card. Oh, my God. What did I do?

My breaths come out in heavy quick panicked puffs. My chest heaving. I feel like I did in my wedding dress, that suffocating feeling is creeping back in.

I’m swung out of the passenger's seat and into Kayce’s hard chest. “Breathe with me, June.”

I listen, breathing in when I feel his chest rise, and out when it falls back.

When my breaths return to normal, and the panic starts to subside, Kayce looks at me with his brow furrowed in worry. “Tell me what caused that.”

“Cameron. He’s going to be so pissed. This was so much more money than Jamaica. I know he didn’t splurge on our honeymoon. And then I just left, I’m going to have to deal with these consequences and so much more and —”

“I paid for it. Not Cameron.” He cuts me off.

“What?”

“The honeymoon we’re taking. Charley was able to do it so easily because it’s my money. Not Cameron’s.”

“Why would you do that? This is so much money! And you have pre-season games! You need to go back to work.” My thoughts spiral.

“My games are my concern. It’s taken care of and you don’t need to worry about it. Also, it’s my money, I can spend it how I like. And I want to spend it on you.” He kisses the tip of my nose, pulling me out of the truck, and grabbing our luggage.

I take a deep breath, readying myself for this trip. If I thought I had put my love for Kayce in the rear view, I was wrong. Being taken care of by him was bad enough, but that sweet kiss to the tip of my nose, that did me in. And I shouldn’t be feeling anything for another man when my wedding reception is happening.

Not to mention how complicated my love is for him. Up until last night I thought it had been unrequited. Unless you count the sisterly love he’s been pushing.

God, that sounds surreal. I’m taking a private jet to go on a honeymoon with Kayce Bicknelle. Too bad it’s on the heels of being a runaway bride.

I make the mistake of looking at my phone as I walk into the hangar before shutting it off for a week.

Cameron: What the actual fuck is wrong with you?

Cameron: You think you can just run out on me after getting my brother to fucking humiliate me like that?

Cameron: You have another fucking thing coming, bitch. Count your goddamn days.

Cathy Bicknelle: Sweetheart, this really is unbecoming of you to do this to Cameron. Just come on back, and we’ll forget everything.

I can’t keep reading these messages. I shut off my phone and throw it in the bottom of my purse to be forgotten about until I step foot back in Texas.

“Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Bicknelle. It’s a pleasure to fly you this evening to the Amalfi Coast in Italy. My name is Alan. Our flight time is about twelve hours. The jet has a bedroom at the back if you’d like to sleep, and four seats. If you need anything please let Lucy know. She will be happy to assist you.”

The two stand off to the side and show us the stairs to board the jet.

Holy shit. This jet is nicer than most houses.

I drop my bag on the seat, and turn to yell at Kayce for spending this kind of money. But when I turn, I’m faced with the hard lines of his chest. He grips my elbows to keep me from topping backwards.

“Easy there.” His deep voice and touch sends shivers down my spine and I’m squeezing my thighs together.

Fucking hell, Wren. Get yourself together.

When my wits come back to me I can finally remember why I was turning around in the first place. “The Amalfi Coast? Are you serious? How much money did this cost because I’m definitely sending you at least half. And if you don’t answer me, I’m calling Charley.”

“I don’t want half. And Charley will not tell you anything. She works for me.”

I narrow my eyes. Of course he’s right. Charley would never tell me especially if he tells her not to. Ugh.

We take our seats next to each other and get settled in.

“Mr. Bicknelle, your food has arrived. We will be departing in about ten minutes.” Alan brings in boxes of food and my stomach rumbles. I haven’t eaten since breakfast this morning.

Kayce takes our food and nods in response.

Handing me a takeout box he gives me a small smile and I rip it open, inhaling the heavenly scent that takes over.

“Oh, my God, you ordered me Burger Chan! I love you!” I place a quick kiss to his cheek and when I realize what I’ve done, my cheeks heat.

He doesn’t bring attention to my action and we settle into a comfortable silence as we eat and take off.

How the hell am I going to survive this just being his best friend?