Page 81 of Pucking Good Girl

Talia’s eyes are wide. “Vaughn, not you too. We said no violence.”

“I said no such thing,” he argues. “You made them promise, but you didn’t include me in that deal.”

“Vaughn, please don’t. Violence is never the answer.”

Vaughn snickers. “Violence is always the answer. I mean, sorry little T, but have you met us? When have you ever seen us solve problems on the ice by talking it out with our opponents?”

“I get it,” she agrees. “But life isn’t an endless hockey game. Even though sometimes I wish it were. I need to find a way to prove that Gen cheated off me without my permission. Because there’s no way I’m gonna sleep with Victor.”

I hate how distressed my girl looks, and I wish I knew the solution to her problems. “This is all my fault,” I sigh. “You wouldn’t be in this position if you weren’t dating me. And Gen wouldn’t have kicked you out of the house. She’s doing this because you took what she wanted, even though I’ve been telling her that we’re over until I was blue in the face.”

“I disagree,” Vaughn says. “I’ve met a lot of women like Gen. My parents’ multi-billionaire friends have produced carbon copies of spoiled, entitled socialites like your ex. In a way, I don’t even blame them for the way they act, at least not completely. All they’ve been taught since they were in diapers is that they need to find a good match and marry within their same social circles. A good marriage to them isn’t with someone they love and who loves them back, but with someone who can further their social status and who can add his family fortune to their own.”

“You got the type to a T,” Becks grumbles.

Vaughn exhales a frustrated sigh. “Yeah, I’m an expert, unfortunately. My parents keep introducing me to droves of heiresses. They’ve been barely paying attention to me my whole life, but now that I’m in college, they made their expectations clear. The reason they had kids was to have someone to take over from my father one day. And to do that, they expect me to marry someone with the right pedigree.”

“Pedigree? Are you getting married or buying a fucking dog?” I laugh.

“That’s how they express themselves.” Vaughn’s jaw ticks. “I was quoting my mom, word for word.”

Tucker chimes in. “I think pedigree fits the bill when it comes to Gen. She’s a fucking bitch. And for what it’s worth, Mack, I wouldn’t beat myself up about this. She stops at nothing to get what she wants. You’ve seen what she put Taryn through all summer, right? Gen is the type who wants to be handed everything on a silver platter. So yeah, maybe she hates Talia even more because she’s with you. But I bet my signing bonus that she would have tried to copy from Talia, anyway. I had another class with her last year aside from Cantucci’s class, and I’ve never seen her pay attention or participate. I wouldn’t be surprised if she found someone who let her copy off them last year too.”

Tucker has a point. “I know. I just can’t help but think that seeing Talia with me made things worse.”

“I don’t know, Macklin,” Talia says softly. “She gave me a room in the Zeta House in exchange for helping her study before you and I started dating. I think she was always planning on cheating off me during tests.”

“Talia is right,” Becks agrees. “And dwelling over why Gen acted the way she did doesn’t really help. It’s obvious that Talia won’t agree to Victor’s disgusting requests, and we promised not to use violence. What else can we do to fix this?”

I get a new appreciation for my brother. It’s true that growing up Becks was always nipping at my heels, constantly trying to outperform me on the ice. But there’s no denying that he has a laser focus on what he wants. I’ve never met anyone more determined than he is.

Becks

My question is met with silence at the table.

“The only thing I can think of is offering him money to make this go away.” Tucker says. “I wish I didn’t have to delay my rookie season, or I would have had the money to help you, Tal. And not just you. I could have helped Mom and Dad to keep the house.”

“I know, Tuck.” She squeezes his hand. “But it is what it is. And to be honest, I don’t want you anywhere near Victor. He threatened you.”

Tucker’s smile is so cocky, it gives Mack a run for his money. “Why do you think he can take me? I have at least six inches and fifty pounds on him.”

“You have six inches and fifty pounds on most men,” Talia chuckles. “The men at this table might be one of the very few exceptions. But I wasn’t talking about Victor trying to get into a physical fight with you. He hinted at the ongoing investigation about last year’s glitch with the grades. The glitch that forced you to retake those two classes. He said that if my name was associated with cheating on grades, that wouldn’t look good for you either.”

Fuck, this guy isn’t just a creep. He’s a nasty piece of work all around.

“Motherfucker,” Tucker growls. “Are you really sure that violence isn't an option?”

“Be serious, Tucker. I’m just trying to save my ass without sacrificing yours. I want to come watch you on NHL ice, not visit you in a federal correctional facility.”

Vaughn intervenes. “If that’s the way you want to go, I can front you the money.”

“No, thank you, Vaughn.” Talia and Tucker say in unison.

“Why not? Not to be an arrogant jerk, but I have more money in my trust fund than I could spend in three lifetimes. What’s the point of having money if I can’t help a friend in need?”

I haven’t known Talia and Tucker as long as Vaughn, but even I know that they’re both very sensitive when it comes to accepting other people’s help. Especially if it comes in monetary form.

“Thanks, but accepting money from you isn’t an option.” Talia’s tone is grateful but firm.