Page 16 of Ruck Me Harder

This is not what I wanted to spend my evening doing. I was looking forward to a nice evening off, not going anywhere or seeing anyone or doing anything.

But I also know he won’t rest until I give in.

“Ugh. Fine.”

eight

. . .

Viv

A year ago, I’d never have thought I’d be up close and personal with the Boston Grizzlies schedule. Sure, Vanessa is dating Sven and works for the team. But then Sadie’s new boyfriend joined the team staff too. And now Rachel started dating their goalie.

Tonight is an away game and the girls are gathering to watch the game at Ceci’s insistence. I’m not sure why she’s so invested in getting all of our book club to watch the games. They have over eighty games in a season. I’m not associated with the team, plus my brother plays for another team. I have no reason to watch the Grizzlies.

When Ceci declared we were gathering, I knew I couldn’t get out of it. Not without lying outright, and I don’t lie to my friends. I don’t feel like it is not a good enough reason for Ceci. As much as I love her, she’s a lot. She knows it, and she listens and backs off when we tell her we need space. Usually.

It’s been a week since I ran into Tony at the animal shelter, and I’ve only thought about it, like, seventeen times a day since. The sight of all those tattooed muscles wrapped up in a leather jacket, holding a tiny little kitten on his motorcycle… My pulse throbs at the memory and I lick my lips automatically.

“Okay, seriously,” Sadie says, cutting into my thoughts. “What’s up with you?”

“Nothing. What’s up with you?” I turn the tables on her.

“You’re distracted,” she says, eyeing me curiously. “I know watching the Grizzlies isn’t your favorite thing to do, but⁠—”

“I support all Boston sports.” It’s kind of my job.

She shakes her head. “That’s not what I mean.”

“How’s Chuck?” Ceci cuts in. I wasn’t even aware she was paying attention to us.

“He’s fine.” I think. Actually, I haven’t talked to my brother in a bit. I’m not even sure if he’s home or away right now.

“Send him my love,” Ceci says, waggling her eyebrows.

She has a weird fascination with my brothers and flirts with both of them whenever they’re in town. Perry and Chuck are twins but have completely different career paths. Chuck is a forward for the Colorado hockey team and Perry is a defensive back for the Raleigh football team. It depends on the day which one she’s more interested in.

Neither of them has any interest in her, but in the three years I’ve known her, she hasn’t been deterred. I don’t think she’d actually pursue them. It’s more the idea of needling me. She’s the world’s biggest flirt with absolutely zero follow-through.

Laughing, I thaw out a bit. “I’ll be sure to do that.”

Sipping my soda, I take in the bar. Despite being in Cambridge, it’s not a college student bar. Thank goodness. I’m a little too old to be hanging out in the same type of grungy dive bars of my youth. I’m on the younger side of my friend group, Ceci on the older end.

The chime above the door rings out, and I glance in that direction automatically. My drink goes down the wrong pipe and I choke.

“What’s wrong?” Rachel asks.

My eyes are glued to the group of men standing in the doorway, led by Tony fucking Gonzales in his motherfucking leather jacket.

Is he aware that a hot tattooed man on a motorcycle in a leather jacket is my weakness?

“Ooh, who’s that?” Sadie cuts in, following my gaze. “He is pretty.”

I scowl at her.

“What? He’s pretty. If I wasn’t happy with my own man, I’d be all over that hunk like brie on bread.”

Shaking my head, I take a deep breath and then take a sip of my soda.