Page 33 of Just my Puck (Love & Laughter #1)

LUCY

T he hot tub is nestled in the corner of the deck under the stars, the surface of the steaming water rippling in the soft light of the night.

The edge is cool beneath my fingertips as I nervously take a seat, holding my breath as Steele and Jason make their excuses to get drinks, leaving me alone with Carter.

My cheeks flush as I look over at him. He is tall and handsome and definitely more my type than Steele or Jason, with blonde hair, a muscular build, and a perfect smile that makes my stomach do little flip-flops.

Even in the dim light of the yard, I can see his deep blue eyes sparkling in the moonlight, adding to my self-consciousness.

Trying my best to ignore the way my heart is pounding in my chest, I slowly sink lower into the bubbly water, letting out a contented sigh as the warm jets massage my tired muscles from all the tension and excitement of the hockey game earlier.

Carter chuckles softly. My cheeks flush with the soft seductiveness of the noise.

He notices my embarrassment, and he smiles reassuringly. “So, did I do good?” he asks, his voice like velvet.

I bite my lip, unsure of how to respond. I haven’t been in this kind of situation before, and I feel a wave of panic wash over me. I try to find the perfect words to say, but they seem to get stuck in my throat.

“Yes,” I croak.

Carter seems to sense my unease and lets the silence drift between us for a little while. He runs his hands through the water, creating droplets of bubbles that shimmer in the moonlight. I stare at them, strangely feeling a sense of serenity envelop me.

Gathering more courage, I elaborate. “It fits perfectly.”

“Looks good on you. That color compliments your complexion.”

“Pink and embarrassed, you mean?”

He snorts. “More like Pretty in...”

“Oh,” I breathe, feeling the heat warm me, and it’s not coming from the hot tub. What is going on here?

“Lucky Lucy,” he murmurs.

And that’s when it hits me, turning my blood ice cold. That’s all I’m here for, as their good luck charm.

“Not lucky,” I clip out.

Frowning at my change of tone as I scoot over to the other side of the tub, wanting to get out, but also not as the bubbles are ironically giving me a sense of protection.

“You really don’t like that, do you?” His stare is searching.

Shaking my head, a sense of vulnerability washes over me. “It’s not true, for a start, but I don’t want to be seen as just a good luck charm,” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper. “I want to be seen for who I am.”

Carter nods slowly, his eyes softening with understanding. “I get it,” he says, his tone gentle and reassuring. “Want to tell me why you think you’re cursed? Where did it start?”

Startled by the question, I blink, realizing I still have my glasses on, and they’ve fogged up big time.

Removing them to place on the side, I allow my eyes to adjust to being without them.

I’m not blind, I can see without them, but things are put into a soft focus that I appreciate right about now.

“My dad left us when I was three. Ever since then, I just can’t seem to catch a break.” I shrug, knowing how woe-is-me that sounds. God, I sound like a moaning bitch. “It’s not a big deal,” I add so I don’t sound like I’m whining too much.

“No, that is a big deal. Of course you would feel sad and unlucky. I’m sorry you had to go through that.” His tone is like a gentle caress.

Giving him a small, wry smile, I shrug. “It’s not like I haven’t had good things happen in my life, too,” I say, trying to sound more positive. “I have a great mom, and Patty is awesome, I love my job, you know?”

Carter nods, still looking at me with those clear blue eyes. “Patty? The redhead who knows how to throw an insult around that will hurt a guy’s feelings?” he asks with a loud guffaw.

Snickering as he doesn’t seem to be offended, I nod. “She has a mouth like a sailor, but I love her. Our friendship is new but real.”

“Yeah, I know how that goes. When you find your tribe, it’s instantaneous. And don’t worry about being seen as just a good luck charm. You’re more than that.”

Swallowing hard, I feel my heart thudding in my chest. His words make me feel seen and heard, and from a stranger, that is extremely seductive. Is that his plan? Is he trying it on here because he knows about me, Steele, and Jason? Does he think I’m easy?

Suddenly, my gaze flickers down to his lips, and I imagine what it would be like to kiss him. The thought startles me as it comes out of nowhere, but it also thrills me.

Before I know it, Carter is inching closer to me, his eyes locked onto mine. The heat between us makes my skin tingle with anticipation. My heart is pounding so loudly that I’m sure he can hear it.

With a sudden boldness that surprises me, I reach out and run my fingers through his wet hair. He shudders with pleasure at the touch, and before we know it, I’m sloshing water everywhere as I press my body against his, our lips locked together in a fiery kiss.

For that moment, at least, I forget about being unlucky or cursed or anything else as our tongues duel fiercely, twisting around, my lungs ready to explode from the desire coursing through me.

Shocked to my core that my actions are giving him the exact impression I was worried about only moments ago, I pull back to see Jason and Steele have returned and are staring at us, eyes wide.

“I’m sorry!” I exclaim, leaping out of the hot tub and slipping on the decking from the puddle I created. “This was...I don’t know what it was. I’m sorry. I have to go.”

“Whoa, wait,” Steele says as I rush past him. He grasps my arm, drawing me to a stop. “Don’t you dare apologize. Was this him?”

“Hey!” Carter says, affronted. “This was us .”

“It was us,” I confirm, avoiding Steele’s penetrating gaze, which is fuzzy as my glasses are still on the side of the hot tub. “I’m sorry. I’ll show myself out.”

Dragging my arm from his, he snaps his vise-like hand around my wrist again.

“Don’t go. Lucy, this is nothing to run from.

Jason and I are aware of how Carter feels about you, and we are fine with him pursuing you.

We wanted you to feel safer and more secure before we mentioned it, but now it’s all screwed up, and. ..don’t go.”

“What?” I blurt out. “The three of you have suddenly decided to what? Share me? What the fuck is this? Is this all about the games and winning?” My fury has ignited like never before. How dare they treat me this way!

“No!” Steele states firmly. “This has nothing to do with anything other than the fact that you have caught our attention, and we aren’t going to make you choose who you want to be with.

Unless you want to, of course...” He trails off, a fierce frown etched on his face.

“Uhm, okay, let’s just calm down and talk about this. ”

“You talk,” I roar and tug my arm back with such enthusiasm that I lose my balance, tumbling onto the floor in an undignified heap at his feet like a fucking gigantic idiot.

“Oww,” I groan as my ass aches from the hard fall.

Jason holds his hand out for me, but I place my hands over my eyes, trying to vanish into thin air.

I can’t believe this is happening. How did I end up in a situation like this?

Was it all because I couldn’t resist the temptation of Carter’s lips?

My mind is racing, and my heart feels like it will burst out of my chest.

“Lucy, please talk to us,” Steele pleads, his tone softening as he realizes he might have pushed too hard.

Tucking my knees into my chest, I remain silent, trying to process everything that has happened in the last few minutes. It’s too much to handle right now.

“I’m sorry,” Carter says, his voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t mean for things to get this complicated.”

Slowly, I lift my head to meet his gaze. His eyes show genuine remorse, and suddenly I feel something shift inside me. Maybe it’s the hot tub bubbles finally getting to me, or maybe Mae is right, and I’m a big old slut, but I actually feel tingly sensations when I look at him.

At all three of them.

“It’s okay,” I say softly, surprising myself with the strength in my tone. “I just need some time to think.”

Jason nods, offering me his hand again. This time, I take it and allow him to help me up from the ground. Steele smiles reassuringly and places a hand on my back as Carter leaps out of the tub and grabs a towel to wrap around me.

A sense of clarity washes over me. Maybe this isn’t as complicated as it seems. Maybe it’s just three guys who want to share their affection with one woman they all care about.

It’s unconventional, but who am I to judge?

I’ve always thought I was open-minded about love and relationships, even though I never thought I’d be in a situation like this.

It was tough enough to assume one guy would want me, never mind three .

But the niggling doubt that this is all some kind of game harasses my thoughts, wheedles its way into my insecurities and almost forces me to shut down.

Almost.

As we make our way inside the house, I realize that I have a decision to make.

Can I handle being with three men at once?

Am I ready for such a complicated dynamic?

Only time will tell. But for now, I’ll take it one step at a time and see where this road leads me, knowing that if fate is going to kick me in the ass like it usually does, I have to make sure I’m ready when it does.