Page 51 of Just my Puck (Love & Laughter #1)

STEELE

S taring out over the bay, the night sky heavy and on the brink of a summer thunderstorm, I try not to stride back into the house to yell at Jason for being a stubborn asshole.

He is injured, and playing out the rest of the season is stupid, at best. I get where he is coming from, but at the same time, I want to beat some reality into him.

When Lucy comes to stand next to me, she slips her hand into mine. “You okay?”

Taking a deep breath, the salty air of the bay fills my lungs. “No, not really,” I reply slowly, glancing at her.

She has pulled her long hair into a messy bun, which suits her, and her glasses reflect the lightning flashing in the distance.

“Jason is being a stubborn asshole. He thinks he can play through the pain, but he’ll only make things worse.”

Lucy squeezes my hand. “I know it’s frustrating, but you have to let him come to his own conclusions. You can’t force him to do something he doesn’t want to do.”

“I know,” I grumble, wishing she wasn’t the voice of reason. “But it’s like he doesn’t even care about his own well-being.”

“He does,” she says softly. “He just loves the game too much. I see the emotional pain this causes him. To think about giving up something you love at twenty-eight...it’s so young. I’m...my heart hurts for him.”

Turning to face her, our eyes meeting in the dim light of the storm, without thinking, I lean in and kiss her.

It’s a soft, gentle kiss at first, but then it becomes more urgent as our bodies press together.

Pulling back slightly, I murmur, “You’re right.

I know that. Carter and I will be faced with this same decision soon—three years max for me.

Carter has a bit longer. It’s a tough game, and you only get so long to have your glory, you know?

” Suddenly, it all falls into place for me.

I was worried about keeping Jason’s secret, but I know for a fact I would be the same if it were me.

Knowing I would make the exact same decision lifts the weight from my heart and from my head about pretending this injury is nothing.

I’d want my best friends to be there for me and to help me do whatever it took to go out on my own terms. “I guess it’s up to him, and I’ll be there for him. ”

Lucy nods in agreement, her hand still clasped around mine. We need to let Jason make his own decisions, even if they put him in danger, and just hope he knows what he is doing. That’s what friendship is about, after all—watching each other’s backs when the going gets tough.

Turning toward her, I take her in my arms, her luscious body feeling soft and warm against my own. Lightning illuminates the night sky, but it feels like we’re in our own world.

We stay like that for a while longer, holding each other close and watching the storm rage on around us.

At that moment, I forget about my worries and fears about Jason’s injury and the looming end of my own career that this is forcing me to face.

All that matters is being here, now, with Lucy by my side.

Lucy’s hand snakes up my chest. “Let’s go inside,” she whispers as it starts to pour down.

We stumble across the threshold of the house, sliding the door closed as the rain lashes down.

“All good?” Carter asks.

“Yeah. You?”

Carter nods slowly. “It’s up to him. This is his career. We have to support him. I’d want, expect that from him,”

“Same.”

He nods knowingly and comes over to us, taking Lucy’s free hand and kissing it. “I guess sex without him is off the table?”

She giggles and nods. “I think maybe, I’d better go home.”

“I’ll drive you,” Carter says.

“Good call. I’ll stay here with Jase.”

“Oh, hey! Does the mafia really live next door?” Lucy asks suddenly.

Snorting with surprise. “Jase tell you that?”

She nods.

“We don’t know for sure, but there is a lot of secret goings on in that villa.”

“Who owns it?” she whispers as if they can hear her from here.

“The Di’Castellos. You heard of them?”

Eyes wide, she nods. “Yeah, actually. They are the library’s biggest benefactors. I don’t know them, never seen them...they live up there?” She gestures with her hand.

I nod confirmation.

“Now, I’m a bit scared. Aren’t you worried you’re going to end up with a horse’s head in the middle of the pool if you do something unneighborly?”

“Like what?” I ask with a low laugh. “They live about a quarter mile away from here.”

“Still,” she chews her lip.

“They’re fine. Don’t let it worry you, okay, little one? We have bigger issues coming in the next few weeks.”

“I know,” she says, looking down the hallway where Jason disappeared. “Poor Jason. I really feel so bad for him.”

“He’s doing the right thing.”

“I know.”

“Come,” Carter says. “Let’s get you home.”

Lucy nods and follows Carter out the door, giving me a sympathetic glance before disappearing into the rain. I stand there for a moment, watching them go before turning and heading down the hallway to check on Jason.

He’s lying on his bed, eyes closed, and I’m not sure if he’s asleep or just deep in thought. “Hey,” I say softly, leaning in the doorway. “You okay, asshole?”

Snickering, he opens his eyes and looks at me. “Yeah, dickhead. I’m okay,” he says, but his voice is tight with pain.

“You sure?” I ask. “Because if you need anything?—”

“I know,” he interrupts. “And I appreciate it. But right now, I just need to rest.”

I nod, knowing there’s nothing more I can do for him at this moment. We fall into silence for a few minutes before he speaks up again. “Do you ever wonder what it would be like if we weren’t doing this? If we weren’t playing hockey?”

“No, I can’t say that I have.”

He nods slowly. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love this game. But sometimes...sometimes I wonder what else is out there for me. What am I going to do now ?”

“You’re still young,” I remind him. “You have plenty of time to figure that out.”

He nods again but doesn’t say anything else, closing his eyes.

Debating whether to broach the information I heard only a few days ago with him, I feel I have to now. He needs to know. “Coe Bay U are looking for an assistant coach.”

His eyes snap open, and he sits up. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. You know my dad has tenure there? He told me. I guess he was hoping I’d apply,” I snort with amusement. “If you apply, Jase, that job is yours. We both know it.”

Still as a statue, his eyes meet mine. “Thanks,” he mutters and then lies back down, turning onto his side, his back to me, signaling the end of this discussion.

For now.