Page 49 of Pucking Good Girl

“I might have memorized your schedule. So? Do you want to come? We can stop to get you a tea or a hot chocolate on the way to the arena so you stay warm.”

He’s so thoughtful.

“That sounds nice, but I don’t want to be yelled at by your coach. Besides, isn’t Vaughn making that fish stew? I really don’t want to eat that.”

He takes my hand, giving it an affectionate squeeze. “Coach will be ok. We have a scrimmage planned for today, so it’ll be fun. You can see Becks and Vaughn eating my dust, or should I say my ice spray, the whole time. And don’t worry about dinner, I’ll order you a pizza.”

“Really, you don’t mind?”

“Of course not, baby.”

A snort coming from Vaughn causes Macklin to turn and glare at him. “Why are you laughing, Heston?”

“Oh, nothing,” Vaughn cackles. “It’s just funny how even being pussy whipped, you always find a way to order pizza.”

Macklin flips him off. “Shut up, Heston. Wait until you find the woman of your dreams and then we’ll see how pussy whipped you get.”

A few minutes later, Macklin and Vaughn are still ribbing each other as we wait for our drink order. The drive through of the most popular coffee shop on campus is busy with students and faculty looking for a late afternoon pick me up.

We’ve been waiting for almost ten minutes when my phone buzzes with a text message from Sam.

Sam: Talia, you need to come home right now. 911

Me: Babes, are you ok?

Sam: Physically, yeah. But this is a meeting I wouldn’t ignore. You need to get here fast.

I’m confused.

Me: Meeting? What are you talking about?

Sam: The emergency meeting Gen decided to have tonight. She sent a text saying it was mandatory about two hours ago.

Me: I didn’t get a text.

Sam: Furious emoji. Of course. I bet that bitch planned this behind your back. Get here right now, Tal. This is really bad.

CHAPTER 13

THE WEIGHT OF DEMOCRACY

Talia

“Are you sure you want to take a rain check on dinner tonight?” Macklin asks, stopping his car in front of the Zeta House. “I can come back to pick you up after practice.”

I lean to brush a kiss on his lips. “No, don’t worry. Sam sounded really upset; she might need me. But I’ll text you later, so you can tell me everything about Vaughn’s fish soup. Now go, or you’ll be all late for practice. Bye, guys,” I call out as I climb out of Macklin’s car. “Bye, Becks.”

His lips curl in just a hint of a smile as he gets out of the car to ride shotgun in my place.

“Can I call you later too, pretty girl?” he whispers, touching the small of my back as he stands by the open car door.

“Of course.” I smile back.

He winks at me and my stomach does one of those flips that are becoming more and more frequent when I’m around Becks.

“What the fuck?” I mutter when my key card doesn’t seem to work.

Maybe it’s the band on the back of it. Humidity can play havoc with these things, and I’ve just been in a greenhouse all afternoon.