Revenge Puck (Shot at Love #1)

Chapter 7

7

Elle

“ Y ou have a date tonight with a big, hot hockey player!” Audrey points out the obvious as soon as Preston steps onto the bus.

I’m still staring after him in a dazed awe. “He’ll probably forget about me once he’s surrounded by women in whatever club they all decide to celebrate in.”

“What? No way! He is smitten.”

“We just have a common enemy. That’s all,” I assure her and myself. I will not let myself feel special because another hockey player spoke to me. Just because Preston doesn’t like Christian doesn’t mean he isn’t the same when it comes to being a womanizer.

Except, Christian said Preston doesn’t ever date.

Isn’t that the whole reason the photo of us kissing blew up? Because it was so unusual for anyone to see him near a woman?

Despite Preston’s claim that it’s been a while for him, I still find it hard to believe. If nobody sees him date, that doesn’t mean he’s not doing it secretly.

“I can’t fucking believe you!” a familiar voice shouts, drawing my attention back to the player entrance and exit. Christian isn’t just yelling; he’s storming over to where Audrey and I are lingering by the fence.

“Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be him, Elle?”

“Uh-oh. Looks like someone is jealous,” Audrey singsongs loud enough for Christian to hear.

“Well?” he demands when he’s standing in front of me, a tall, angry volcano ready to erupt. I’m sort of glad there’s the chain link between us, while also…giddy to have evoked such a reaction from the man who shattered my heart as if it were made of cheap glass.

I would’ve been happy with getting a glare from him in response to the photo of me and Preston kissing. I didn’t think he would care enough to make an actual scene.

But I know the effect on him is more his fear of Preston than his jealousy.

“Oh, I don’t know, Christian. Maybe because you said he would never want a nobody like me and I wanted to prove you wrong.”

That much is true. While it’s highly unlikely that Preston wants me in any way other than pissing off Christian, it would be a huge score to change the mind of the grumpy defenseman who doesn’t date.

“What the hell?” Audrey exclaims. “Did you seriously call Elle a nobody ?”

“That’s not what I meant…Anyone but Lawrence, Elle,” Christian starts but I roll right over him, furious that he keeps admitting that he doesn’t care about me if he’s fine with me sleeping with his entire team or every asshole on the planet. The only man who bothers him is the one he didn’t think I had a chance with. And while that’s true, Preston wouldn’t have looked at me twice if not for his revenge plot, I refuse to admit Christian is right.

“You don’t get to tell me who I can or can’t date. Even if we were still dating or hooking up, or whatever you want to call it, you’re the one who said we weren’t ever exclusive, remember?”

“Lawrence is a volatile asshole! He broke my arm and gave me a concussion the last two times our teams played each other!”

Wow. Preston actually broke his bones and busted his head? He really does hate him. And Christian is genuinely terrified of the grizzly bear.

“You should probably be careful out there on the ice during the playoffs. An injury like that could hurt the Bobcats’ chances and take you out of the MVP running, couldn’t it?”

Christian’s perfect sculpted jaw clenches. “Stay away from him, Ellie, and burn that fucking jersey.”

I run my palm down the big bird covering the front of my chest. “Ah, no freaking way. I like this jersey. You never got me decent seats or gave me one of your jerseys to wear in five months. Oh, well, except for that one night. And it looks like you were wrong about Preston not wanting me, too. He’s already invited me out later tonight.”

“He doesn’t date! Ever!” Christian roars. “And this isn’t you, Ellie. You don’t sleep around like that! It’s fake, isn’t it? You’re both in on it trying to mess with my head!”

“Think what you want. I didn’t come back here to see you tonight. I came to thank Preston for the amazing seats.”

“Where the fuck did you even meet him? The I hate Christian Riley fan club?”

“Yes, that is exactly where we met, Christian. How did you know about our secret group?”

“This ends now, Ellie! I’ll tell everyone in the next press conference that it’s a sham to get back at me because I dumped you yesterday.”

“Oh, well, I already told a reporter that I dumped you for him. If you comment now, you’ll look like a scorned lover. So sorry about that.” It’s not true. I haven’t spoken to anyone, especially the press or even the fans yelling at me during the game.

“You’re going to ruin my goddamn reputation,” he grits out through clenched teeth.

“Your reputation as a playboy is still fully intact.”

“I meant on the ice! I played like shit tonight!”

“Did you? I didn’t notice. The Warhawks were on fire. Especially Preston.”

Wow, the oh-so-perfect hot shot hockey player blames a nobody like me for his shitty game? My mind is officially blown.

“You didn’t even know who he was yesterday!” His voice is so loud the entire town can probably hear it at this point.

“Well, today I know a lot more about him than just his name.” I clear my throat and adjust the sign still hanging in my lowered hand to make my point, then tilt my head to look at the arrogant man who dumped me without an ounce of remorse. “Why are you making a fuss about it, Christian? It’s not like you ever cared about me?”

“I don’t.” I hate that I wince at those two adamant words. “I just…I specifically told you anyone but him.”

“You can tell me whatever the hell you want; that doesn’t mean I’m going to listen,” I mutter before turning on my heel and marching back toward the fan parking lot, Audrey whooping in support right on my heels.

Preston

Part of me wanted to get off the bus and beat Riley into the pavement.

But another part of me wanted to watch and see how Elle reacted to him. I needed to know that she’s really over him, that getting her payback was out of spite for being dumped and not love or any other feelings for him.

It’s stupid really.

It’s none of my business if the woman still wants the asshole. Maybe it just feels like my business now because I’ve found my way into a very public love triangle. I should’ve thought this through better. If Elle goes back to Christian, I’ll look like a goddamn fool, and feel like one too.

Based on the furious look on Christian’s face as Elle went toe to toe with him before she walked away, I’m guessing she’s not asking him about getting back together.

Tonight, if she shows up to hang out with me, I’ll find out what he said. Until then, all I can do is wait.

And while I wait, I go through the hundreds of notifications waiting for me on my phone, and then respond to each and every comment that is rude to Elle.