Page 93 of The Puck Bunny

Not surprisingly, a few of them expected it. I hear muted comments from Finn and Jonas, like, “Of course he’s going to help his girlfriend.”

Looping my arm through Sara’s, I walk her to center ice and she directs the players where to stand, consulting her sheet of paper, and calling out names. I don’t let go of her or leave her side until she turns to me.

“I’ll be all right if I stand still. You can take your place now.” She gives me a wistful smile and my friendly dagger almost splits my shoulder blades in two.

The answering wistfulness buried inside me cracks the surface of my stone heart and I feel every bit of the pain.

Skating to the end of the first line, I put up with some hoots and whistles.

Jonas stands behind me and nudges me. “You never fooled me for a minute,” he mutters for my hearing only.

I grunt and elbow him back. Maybe I’m the only one being fooled because he and my own mother have a different idea of my relationship with Sara—maybe more in line with Sara’s idea.

She looks at Delaney who nods her approval and shouts, “The photographer is on her way!”

While we’re waiting, Sara slips out her phone and starts taking photos of her own. “Might as well take advantage of the moment,” she says. “These photos are for social media, so make them interesting.”

With that, the team jumps into action with shenanigans like stupid faces, finger horns over guys’ heads, nudges, punches, shoves, and even a dance step or two.

When the photographer arrives with her camera and Sara helps her set it up, I whistle so we organize into our original neat line-up.

After it’s over, the guys skate off the ice and I escort Sara to the gate.

Jonas meets us on the other side and says to Sara, “Not bad for a puck bunny.”

When Sara freezes next to me, I notice Delaney on her phone nearby. Shit. She couldn’t be paying attention, could she?

Her head shoots up and she frowns at Sara. “What’s this?”

Well, shit. Of course she is paying attention.

“It’s nothing,” Sara shakes her head, her face pink.

I could strangle Jonas right now—yet again.

“He said something about you being a puck bunny?” Delaney points at Jonas, demanding an explanation.

I don’t trust Jonas to give it to her. “Don’t pay any attention to him. Sara is no puck bunny.” I put my arm around her and pull her to my side for extra protection, like I can shield her from gossip by owning her, or owning up to having a relationship with her.

“Is there something going on between you two?” Delaney shifts her eyes to me, then Sara with a tense, skeptical stare like she can see through us.

Maybe she can.

Sara is about to answer her, saying who knows what, likely something that’ll get her into trouble because she’s not a good liar, so I step in. “Yes and no,” I say in all honesty.

Sara tenses and I automatically pull her closer. Shit. I’m not sure it’s a good idea, but I’m running with it because that’s all I have left, and all my stabbing conscience will let me do.

“Explain,” Delaney says, more curious than angry.

I look around and all the guys except Jonas have gone back into the locker room. As for Jonas, he’s watching our scene like we’re the newest reality TV series.

“I wanted to go out with her, but she turned me down flat. I’d still like to date her because she’s a wonderful lady, as I’m sure you know, except I’m pretty certain she turned me down because she’s too good for the likes of me.”

“Are you serious? You expect me to believe that bullshit?” Delaney asks.

“As a priest.”

Jonas snorts. “Wait. Didn’t you tell me she was invited to go to Thanksgiving dinner with your family?”