Page 30 of Pucking Forbidden

I can’t help but smile as I watch Hadley fit in so seamlessly with them, her small shoulders losing all the tension she’d been carrying since she walked through the door.

Moving to the table, I set a glass of water in front of her. “Drink this.”

She looks up at me, and her grin is wide and bright. “Thanks, Julian!”

She sips the water. The other girls all look up at me, stunned. I can’t blame them. No one calls me by my first name. Their stares are unnerving, and my cheeks heat as I turn and make my way back to the guys.

I keep a close eye on her as she continues on her third beer. A few minutes later, Zander and Rylee take off for home to their baby. Owen and Stacey head out shortly after, since they have two little ones as well. Skyler and Sutton are both on their way to drunk, and Grace is clearly tipsy. Hadley isn’t holding her alcohol nearly as well as the rest of them.

She finishes her beer, and it takes a few moments, but her face scrunches up in discomfort as her hand moves to her stomach.

“Shit,” I mutter under my breath, moving straight for her.

Grace notices a second after me, her smile fading as she leans closer to Hadley. “Hey, you okay? Maybe a triple IPA wasn’t the best thing to start with.”

Hadley nods, but she’s turning pale. “Yeah, I’m fine, I just…”

She swallows hard. Nope, not fine. Not fine at all. I reach the table just as she tries to push her chair back.

“Easy,” I say, stepping in beside her.

Her head tilts toward me, eyes a little unfocused. “I’m okay.”

“Yeah,” I assure her. “I know.”

Not wanting to embarrass her, I don’t make a big deal out of it. I grip her arm, steadying her when she wobbles.

She definitely didn’t expect it to hit her this fast.

“Let’s get some air,” I suggest.

Grace nods, her brow furrowed with concern. “That’s a good idea. I’ll come with.”

I shake my head. “No, don’t worry. You just relax. I’ve got her.”

Grace hesitates, but then replies, “Okay. Let me know if you need anything.”

Hadley opens her mouth like she’s going to argue, then thinks better of it when she sways again.

“Okay,” she mumbles.

I guide her toward the hallway leading to the bathrooms, away from the main crowd, giving her a second to breathe. She leans into my side, using my body to steady herself.

“Sorry,” she murmurs. “I thought I was fine.”

“You’re okay,” I tell her. “Just went a little too hard for your first time. Happens to the best of us.”

I steer her toward the exit, ignoring the looks from the guys as we pass.

“She good?” Jensen calls.

“Yeah,” I shoot back. “Just taking her home.”

He nods in acknowledgment. The girls wave at us as we leave. Outside, the cool air hits her, and she exhales like she’s been holding her breath. The overwhelming, humid atmosphere of the packed sports bar instantly evaporates. In its place is the clean, sharp scent of the pine trees lining the edge of the asphalt lot, mixed with the distinct, metallic smell of impending mountain snow drifting down from the peaks. The temperature has plummeted into the low forties, and she shivers next to me in her cream sweater.

“Okay,” she whimpers. “That helps.”

“Sit,” I tell her, guiding her to the curb for a second.