Page 35 of Puck Off, She’s Mine

"Do not," she says, but I hear the smile in her voice. "You're just delusional."

"You made me that way."

"Oh, definitely not!" she cries. "You were delusional before you ever skated into me, Phoenix Michaud."

"Yeah, but you made it worse," I say, grinning. "You've got a motherfucker feeling like a king, baby."

"Phoenix," she whispers, her voice soft.

"I'm serious. I'm on top of the world with you, Cara."

"Me too."

"Corey and I talked tonight."

"Talked or fought?" she asks immediately, her voice rife with suspicion. "Because there's a vast difference between the two, you know."

"I'm aware," I say, chuckling. "And I mean we talked, gorgeous. He said shit. I said shit back. We buried the hatchet."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really." I pause. "I think you were right about him."

"About what?"

"He's fucked up over someone else."

"Oh. Yeah," she sighs. "He told you?"

"Nah, and I didn't ask. But when you know what to look for, it's obvious." I pluck at a string on the comforter.

"Yeah." She hesitates for a minute. "So…you two are good?"

"He promised to chill the fuck out. I promised to try not to hit him again."

"Phoenix," she groans. "That does not sound like you're good to me."

"Best efforts will be employed," I tease.

"Great. So you'll hit him in private next time," she says sarcastically.

"Don't give me any ideas."

"It's too late for your shit."

I laugh quietly, wishing like hell I was there with her right now. "I'm just teasing, baby. We're good."

"Good," she says, mollified. "Because I already buried one juicy article about the two of you. I'd really hate to have to do it again."

"Shit." I startle slightly. "I didn't even think about that."

"I know."

"I'm an asshole, Cara."

"Hey. It's fine," she says, her voice soft. "I didn't get into sports reporting to chase gossip and drama, as much as you seem to think otherwise. I got into it because I love the game. I love reporting the actual news. And a fight between teammates over a personal issue isn't news. It's gossip." She pauses. "I'm sure you're familiar with that concept."

"Me? No, never heard of it."