Page 85 of Puck My Life

“Sorry, love. Tonight is family night.”

I still. He remembered? But we haven’t done family night in s.

“But-”

“Don’t pout, Dianne, it’s not cute. I’m going to spend the night with my family. Or you can risk Deacon’s wrath?”

“Fuck you. You all suck anyway.”

The transformation from fawning seductress to vicious bitch is seamless.

She lashes out at me. I don’t have time to go anywhere or even lift my hand, but Raynor appears, gripping her wrist tight and squeezing until she starts crying.

“Noone hurts Vae.”

Except you, I think and stop myself.

“She’s just your foster-”

“Finish that sentence, and I’ll tell Milton you were fucking his brother while you were dating him.”

Her mouth drops open. “How did you know about that?”

“How didn’t I know about that? Now fuck off. And lose our numbers.”

Raynor turns back to me and picks me up. It’s sudden and unexpected, but I’m back wrapped in his arms again.

Since Maria died and the carefully constructed walls were established, there has been a very careful no-touching rule.

Looks like it’s gone out the window now.

“Come on, Vae. We’re going to go eat ice cream on our ship, then come home, eat pizza and watch movies all night.”

I’ve got my hands on his shoulders, and I’m staring into those beautiful eyes, and every bitter, horrible thing that’s caused this distance falls away. I lean into him, hugging him tight.

A car pulls up, and Deacon gets out and stomps over to us. He doesn’t speak, just throws Raynor up against the car and buries his face in my side.

“Missed you, Vae. You make everything better.”

Yeah, I missed you, too.

PRESENT

The game is brutal. Deacon is making an effort, though, and has passed the puck to people other than Mal. I can see the difference, even if no one else can, and I’m so proud of him.

Jansen sits beside me, his thigh pressed to mine. I’m supposed to be getting used to his touch.

I’m not.

I can’t relax around him, even when he casually puts an arm behind me. I don’t know why he thought it was a good idea to come here on a date.

It’s a terrible idea.

“Do you want a drink?”

I try to face Jansen and nod, grasping at any opportunity to get out of the seats and put some space between us.

If there were other options, I would tell him this isn’t working, but this is the only choice I have.