Page 32 of Mac Meyers Needs Me

“Seriously, you’re gorgeous, and you’ll be sick of hearing it by the end of the night.”

“We’ll see about that.” She runs her hands over her hips, drawing my attention to the slit in her hot pink evening gown. The bodice dips in the front, highlighting her cleavage. Her hair is clipped at the side, showing off a ladder of ear piercings, and revealing the graceful slope of her neck and the delicate line of her shoulders.

Apart from the beginning of the year, when the temperatures still allowed skin exposure and shorts were a reasonable choice, Fee is usually dressed in jeans and hoodies, or paint-splattered overalls and T-shirts. She’s typically fresh-faced, but tonight her eyes are dramatic, lashes dark with mascara, making the blue pop.

“You clean up nice, too.” She pats me on the chest. “But then you already knew that.”

“I like hearing it from you, though.” I wink.

“Who turned on your turbo flirt button?”

“Must’ve been you.” I hold out my arm. “Ready?”

She threads hers through mine. “Let’s do this.”

The hockey gala is a big deal, with a fully catered, plated meal, drinks for those who are legal, and dancing—which I’m actually looking forward to. The whole team attends, and sometimes former graduates will speak or give out awards. Representatives and scouts from the pros attend, too. I’m excited but nervous. Last year my stats were stronger, and I felt more confident about my future in the sport.

“Cammie and Chase are over there.” Fee points a pink, intentionally painted nail across the room, then resettles her hand on my forearm.

Last year I brought a girl I’d only been out with once before. She got wasted at dinner and kept trying to feel me up. It wasn’t my favorite and I’m glad I can avoid a repeat.

Cammie and Chase are with Gage and Brody. Gage asked some random girl he hung out with last week, and Brody caved and took a girl who asked him at the last minute because he couldn’t summon the nerve to ask the person he wanted.

“Fifi!” Cammie rushes over and throws her arms around Fee’s waist. Cammie is pint-sized, and Fee is a head taller in heels.

“I love this dress so much,” Fee tells Cammie, who is wearing Tilton U burgundy, her shoulder-length hair pulled into an updo.

Gage and Brody introduce their dates.

“Fee, hot pink is your color,” Gage makes an A-okay with his fingers. “You’re turning heads tonight.”

“Shut your face-hole unless you want gaps in your smile,” I snap.

“Whoa.” Gage raises his hands. “It was just an observation.”

“And not an inaccurate one,” Cammie adds with a grin.

“Down boy.” Fee pats my chest and smiles sweetly up at me. “Why don’t you grab me something to drink?”

“Whatever you need, sweetheart.” I cover her hand with mine and kiss the back of it. “Any special requests?”

She arches a brow. “You know what I like.”

“I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be right here.”

The guys and I head for the bar.

“Hitting the territorial boyfriend button a little hard tonight,” Gage observes.

“For a fake-dating situation, you seem pretty into her,” Brody needles.

“You spent like half an hour making popcorn the other night,” Chase notes.

“You were too busy sucking face with Cammie to know how long it took for us to make popcorn,” I fire back.

“I believe that,” Brody replies dryly.