22. Not Your Pucking Bunny
CHAPTER 22
NOT YOUR PUCKING BUNNY
BAY
T wenty-four hours later
The Dean’s Residence
I’ve been to the Dean’s house before, as I’ve made the Dean’s list every year.
Most of the houses on Greek Row are legit mansions, so I shouldn’t bat an eye. However, the grandeur of the residence reserved to the Dean of students at Star Cove University is next level.
The luxury that surrounds me as I enter the huge formal dining room on Jagger’s arm reminds me of the house Lakyn’s guys got in Bridgeport. Topher’s parents’ house in Connecticut was similar too.
Tables are arranged around the room, decorated with flowers and fine china; the chairs are wrapped in blue and silver silk, our university colors.
There’s an open bar at one end of the room to serve the alumni and the students who are of legal drinking age, and waiters are walking around the room offering trays of Champagne and canapes.
A makeshift stage occupies the far side of the living room, with a screen behind it.
The Dean has organized this gala to collect more funds for the completion of the new hockey arena and brand new athletic department facilities. Last year, Zeta Theta Beta and Gamma Delta Tau organized a charity auction. The Gamma brothers were auctioned off for a date night to the highest bidder. The alumni dinner was still held, but on a much smaller scale.
This year, the Dean insisted on a more traditional soiree to dazzle our wealthiest alumni. Aside from Dean Williams, there are several keynote speakers on the docket tonight.
Ward Crawford, president of the Greek Council and captain of our school’s football team, was invited to speak.
So was Rupert Mumford, president of the Star Cove Alumni Association.
Gail Smith, the president of the student union, is also on the docket.
Topher and I were both asked to speak as presidents of the most prestigious Greek organizations on campus.
I’m nervous and excited.
Every head in the room turns when Jagger and I enter, flanked by Cole and Ryker.
“Everybody is looking at us,” I whisper in Jagger’s ear, as we head to the table in the center of the room.
“They’re looking because you’re breathtaking.” Jagger’s golden eyes roam from my face all the way down to my Louboutin strappy heels.
I’m in a floor-length, black sequined dress that makes me feel and look like an old style Hollywood diva. Rachel’s hairdresser curled my hair in a style reminiscent of the 40s and I finished the look with a dramatic smokey eye and blood-red lips.
“Your mom insisted I wear this dress. It’s a one-off design that probably costs more than most people make in one year.”
Jagger places a soft kiss on my temple. “Remind me to thank her later.”
“Ah, here you are.” Keith Connelly smiles, as we reach his table. “I was telling the Dean how impressed I was by your presentation, Bay. If this is the quality of the education Star Cove provides, I might have to double my donation. I don’t remember learning how to put together such thorough data and information when I attended here. It’s testament to the impeccable job the faculty and administrators do at Star Cove, right Ted?”
It’s no secret that the Dean has never liked me.
Even now that he has no choice but to play nice, the expression on his face is tight; his mouth pursed as if he had been sucking on a lemon.
“Star Cove provides the best education money can buy,” he confirms. “Miss Woods is no exception.”
The way he says this feels as close to an insult as he can get away in polite company, and I file that tidbit away for later.
I’ve always been an exemplary student and I’ve worked hard to uphold the values of this school, so it’s hard to understand why the Dean dislikes me so much. The only realistic explanation is Bianca’s dislike of both me and Lake.
First the Dean’s daughter wanted Luca and my sister got in her way; then she wanted the Zeta presidency and despite her every attempt to oust me, she has nothing to show for it.
The only thing Bianca has that I don’t, is Topher on her arm. But anyone who gravitates within our social circle knows how Topher has been going out of his way to try to get back with me. He treats Bianca as a convenient second choice, when he doesn’t want to go stag, like tonight.
Oblivious to all of that, the Dean proceeds with further introductions, probably more for Jagger’s benefit than for mine. “Have you met my wife Martha? And I’m sure you’re familiar with Rupert and Christine Mumford, since your families are practically neighbors.”
While Jagger shakes hands with Topher’s father, Christine’s eyes are trained on me. “I have to give it to you, Bay. You’re one resourceful young lady. After my son came to his senses and found himself a more suitable partner, you bounced right back.” As she looks at Bianca, her eyes shine with the kind of approval I would have killed to see there last year when Topher brought me home for Christmas.
“It’s nice to see you, Christine.” I keep my tone polite and detached, pretending not to detect her blatant provocation.
The frost between me and my ex-boyfriend’s mother doesn’t escape Rachel’s shrewd intuition. “How are you, Christine? You look like something is vexing you. I’m sure it must be because Topher has let Bay slip through his fingers.”
Christine Mumford’s fingers tighten around the stem of her Champagne flute with white-knuckle force, I’m surprised the stem doesn’t snap in two.
“I had no doubt you and Bay would hit it off,” her tone is indignant. “New money fits well with up-and-coming influencers, or whatever it is Bay does.”
Rachel Connelly has been the picture of sweet and welcoming since we met yesterday at brunch. Her smile stays firmly in place, as she lowers her voice, as if she was about to share a secret. “You’re absolutely right. Bay fits right in with us. We admire the intelligence and drive of someone whose ancestors didn’t sail here with money stolen from the old country, where they were undesirable.”
Christine’s mouth forms a shocked ‘o’, as her eyes narrow with fury.
I’ll always wonder what she would have said if the background music wasn’t cut off and the Dean’s voice didn’t greet us from the podium, inviting us to take our seats at the tables we’ve been assigned to.
He issues a brief welcome, reminding everyone of the fundraising purpose of this alumni gala. “But for now, let’s enjoy a delicious dinner and some fine wine. You’ll hear from me and from several members of our faculty and our student body right before dessert.”
This is the kind of venue where seating is assigned, so I walk around the table looking for the card with my name on it.
“Bay.” Topher moves my chair for me. “You’re sitting next to me. What a wonderful coincidence.”
Fuck. I look at my name card, hoping that Topher misread it somehow. Sure enough, however, we’re sitting side by side. The only saving grace is that Keith Connelly is sitting on my other side, and Jagger is right across from me. I guess I can endure Topher for one meal. We’re surrounded by people, including his parents, so how bad can it be?
“Bay,” he says after we eat our first course in tense silence. “Would you like another glass of Champagne?” He leans right into my space, his warm breath fanning my neck.
I keep my eyes on my empty plate, moving to the side as discreetly as I can to avoid his attempt to whisper in my ear. “I’m ok. I actually don’t mind walking to the bar to get one.” I say, looking for any excuse to get a couple of minutes away from his persistent gaze.
“Nonsense,” he argues. “I can go get you a drink.”
I roll my eyes. “Sure, if you want.” As long as he walks away, I guess I’ll consider it a win. I hope there’s a huge line at the bar, so he stays gone as long as possible.
“Here we go, sexy girl.”
Topher returns faster than I hoped.
“Thanks.” I take the flute from his hand, fighting the urge to shudder when he makes sure his fingers brush against mine.
“Aren’t you going to drink it?” he asks, when I set the glass down on the white tablecloth.
“I will. I’m just trying to pace myself. I have a speech to deliver.”
God, how could I date this guy for almost three years? Is he always been so controlling? I guess he might have been. But I was so into him, or at least into the idea of the two of us as a power couple, that I didn’t notice.
One thing I notice now is how his mom’s eyes are trained on us. There’s palpable disapproval on her face.
Heat rises to my face. All of a sudden, the same feeling of inadequacy I had at Christmas courses through me. From the moment we met, Christine Mumford has been looking at me that way. Like I’m not worthy of them. Like I’m a social climber, a gold digger who was after their money and the prestige that comes with their name.
At first that hurt, but now it doesn’t. I’m just angry, but oddly grateful to her for her rejection. Until she made it clear that I was unsuitable for her son, I didn’t see the real Topher. Once that veil was lifted, I saw what Lakyn had been telling me all along.
In retrospect, I should probably thank Christine and Rupert for not welcoming me into their family with open arms. I should probably even thank Bianca for showing me who Topher really is, without a shadow of doubt.
“Bay,” Topher’s hand lands on my shoulder. “Come on, let’s have a drink for old times’ sake.”
I flinch, moving away with a shudder. “I said I’m trying to pace myself. Thank you.”
I don’t even know why I’m thanking him.
“Nova, you ok?” Jagger asks from across the table.
I nod, looking at my boyfriend to reassure him. In reality, I’m far from ok. But I don’t want to cause a scene in front of the Dean, Jagger’s parents and all the alumni.
Topher might be a narcissistic asshole, but he’s very perceptive. “Are you nervous because of the speech? Or is it because you came here with Jagger, after I clearly told him he was breaking the Gamma bro-code? Are you worried about me releasing that video?”
The main course arrives at that moment, offering me a second of respite while plates are being placed in front of us.
I look at my filet mignon as if it could tell me what to say to my ex. As I grab the steak knife, my imagination runs wild. What would happen if I jabbed the knife into Topher’s palm? I don’t want to kill him, I just want him to leave me alone.
I snort, imagining the stir that would cause in the room.
Thankfully, the image of blood spurting out of Topher’s hand has a calming effect. I’ve never been a violent person, but I realize that I have a lot of unresolved feelings toward my ex. It isn’t because we didn’t talk about our breakup. It’s because every time we did, he never listened to my reasons.
This is why he’s been so persistent in trying to get close to me again. If he had listened to one word I said to him, he wouldn’t even try to talk to me outside of Greek business.
“Bay?” he insists. “Did you hear what I just said?”
“Do you really think that if you released that video, that would help you get a second chance with me?” I ask him. “If that’s the case, you know me even less than I thought.”
He closes his eyes, exhaling as if he were trying to stay calm. “No, I don’t. Listen,” he says, his voice cracking. “I know I fucked up. I’ve been trying to apologize, but you won’t even hear me out.”
I cut into my steak, but my appetite is gone. “Topher, I?—”
“I know,” he cuts me off. “I know that I blew my chance with you. Look, I’d rather have you in my life as a friend than not at all.”
I shake my head. “My friends, don’t try to blackmail all the important people in my life.”
To my surprise, Topher agrees with me. “I know. I’m sorry. Look, give me just ten minutes after the speeches are over. One drink together and the chance to apologize properly. We can have that drink here, in public. No funny business, no trying to convince you to get back together. Just hear me out for ten minutes, and I promise I’ll give you the only copy of Jagger’s initiation video. It’s up to you if you want to watch it destroy it, or whatever.”
Refusal words were on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow them down.
He thinks he’s smarter than anyone else, including me. But I know Topher well enough to know that he always has an angle.
In this instance, it isn’t even that hard to understand what it is. He must think that I don’t know what’s in that video. That if I see Jagger fucking that doll, I’ll break up with him.
“Ok,” I agree. “But one drink, Toph. For ten minutes. And we aren’t getting back together. Deal?”
“Deal,” he smiles, taking a sip from his glass of whiskey.
I don’t care about what he has to say. I’m just hearing him out, so I get my hands on that video. Despite Keith’s reassurance that he would handle it if it was released, I’ll feel better if it’s destroyed.
Once the main course plates are cleared out, we settle in our chairs to listen to the Dean’s opening speech.
I’m excited about the announcement I’m about to make about the new Zeta house. Just the girls with governing roles in our sorority know about it. So aside from Liv, Viv, Tami and Bianca, the other sisters will be surprised.
When the Dean calls me on stage, I stand tall, confident. My legacy as Zeta president is saved, thanks to Jagger’s father. And for once, I can see through my ex’s schemes and that gives me the upper hand.
RYKER
Cole and I have been assigned to the table next to the central one where the Dean and his VIP guests are sitting.
It’s no surprise that Dean Williams chose Jagger’s parents and the Mumfords to sit at the central table, since they’re his biggest donors.
A part of me wishes that my parents had been able to attend, but they weren’t alumni. Besides, my old man is in Europe on a business trip. I’m looking forward to introducing Bay to my family and I have no doubt they’re going to love her. I’ll have to talk to them about our unusual relationship, but I’m confident they’ll be ok with it. Eventually, at least. Dad and Keith are very good friends and I plan to enlist his and Rachel’s help to make sure my parents understand.
Tonight I drew the short straw in more ways than one. I don’t begrudge the fact that Jagger is Bay’s date; that’s understandable with the latest developments and with Keith building the new Zeta house. Bay will announce the news shortly, during her speech to the alumni.
The thing that’s really bothering me is that Bay is stuck sitting next to Topher, and I wasn’t much luckier than her because I’m sitting between Bianca and her friend Kylie.
The two women keep trying to whisper to each other, and I’m caught in the middle.
“Bianca,” I use my friendliest tone, considering I can count on one hand the number of words I’ve exchanged with the Dean’s daughter since I started at Star Cove. “Would you like to swap seats with me so you and Kylie can talk?”
She smiles for the first time tonight, her fake eyelashes batting in my direction. “That would be awesome. Thank you, Ryker. My dad said no changes of seats, but this is an emergency.”
I take a better look at her. “Are you ok?”
“No, I’m far from ok. My dad’s assistant is an incompetent bitch. She made the seating charts, and she sat Topher next to Bay. Can you believe it?”
It might sound hypocritical of me, but the choice of language is making me flinch. I might use my fair share of profanity, especially on the ice, but this is hardly the venue for cussing.
It’s hard to disagree with the sentiment Bianca expressed, though. “Yeah, that isn’t good.” I have to agree.
“Right?” Bianca hisses. “Topher came here as my date. It took me months to convince him. Having him sat next to his ex is the last thing I needed.”
Better judgment would probably be not to engage with her. “Yeah. I don’t blame you.”
She takes a big gulp from her champagne glass. “You must be pissed off, too. I thought you and Bay were together?”
The words tumble out of my mouth before I can think better of it. “We are together.”
Bianca’s eyes narrow into two curious slits. “Then why is she here with Jagger? I swear to God, if this is all a scheme to get back with Topher, I, I?—”
“She isn’t getting back together with Topher.” I snap, my tone harsher than I intended.
Bianca rears back at the vehemence in my voice. “Good. I’m glad you and I are on the same page.”
There’s no way in hell Bianca Williams and I will ever be on the same page about anything. But this time I manage to bite my tongue.
Rather than because I got a handle on my temper, it’s because Topher seems deep in conversation with Bay.
I don’t share Bianca’s jealousy. I’m one hundred percent sure that Bay wants nothing to do with her ex. I’m just concerned because after everything Topher has done trying to make Bay untouchable so he could have another shot with her, I don’t trust him.
I have my eyes on that fucker.
It’s impossible to miss the sudden tension in Bay’s shoulders. It’s the same tension that invades my muscles as I wish I could hear what he’s saying to her.
There’s a tense exchange between them. Bay is holding her cutlery with white-knuckle force, and for a second I fear she’s going to stab that motherfucker in the eye. Not that Mumford wouldn’t deserve it, it just isn’t worth it.
Cole is watching them too. His brows are lowered in a frown. His muscles are ready to spring into action, like I’ve seen a thousand times on the ice.
The lights in the room are suddenly lowered, and a spotlight appears above the podium. I was so intent on looking at Bay and Topher that I didn’t notice that the Dean left the table and he’s now commencing his speech to the alumni.
I take a sip of the beer I’ve been nursing since we got here. I’ve only been here for a couple of months, but I already know that Dean Williams loves the sound of his own voice. His speeches tend to be very long.
Everyone knows that too, and it’s almost funny how people are already distracted the second the speech begins.
Tucker is chatting up Candace at the table behind ours; Liv and Corey slip away to the bar. Coach Miller is speaking to the dance team coach, and even Bianca isn’t paying attention to her father’s speech. The Dean’s daughter is no longer staring at Bay and Topher’s table. She looks engrossed in her phone.
To everyone’s surprise, the Dean ends his speech pretty quickly. Bay is invited to the podium, and I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t fill with pride looking at her. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have her love. Bay isn’t just stunning. I’m in complete awe of her talent and poise. If she puts her mind to it, there’s nothing my girl can’t achieve. Cole and Jagger are looking at her with the same pride in their eyes, and even that fucker, Topher, can’t take his eyes off of her. No doubt, he must be beating himself up for fucking things up with her.
When Bay greets the faculty members, the alumni and her fellow student representatives, she has the attention of the entire room.
Even the catering staff stop to listen to her brief, but perfectly thought out speech.
“I feel incredibly fortunate,” she’s saying. “To be a part of the incredible community of Star Cove University. Everyone in this room is a vital part of it. From our esteemed faculty members to the hockey and football teams. And who can forget about our alumni, who paved the path for us to attend one of the leading Ivy League schools in the country? Of course, many of you preceded us also as invaluable members of the Greek community. I see a few Gamma Delta Tau alumni and several sisters who lived in the Zeta house before my time.”
This is where she makes a pause, looking at the past Zeta Theta Beta members in the room.
Bay’s voice vibrates with emotion when she begins the second part of her speech. “Zeta Theta Beta has been my family since I rushed it my freshman year. I couldn’t have found better friends, confidants, sisters. I couldn’t be more proud of having been chosen by my sisters to lead them over two years ago.”
She presses a button on a remote and the screen behind the podium comes to life, showing the former Zeta house.
“I’m sure most of you know that this year our sorority has had to face some challenging circumstances,” Bay continues. “A horrible accident happened during Rush Week and we lost our beloved home.”
The image changes to the charred, scarred remains of the Zeta house.
“As president, my focus has been on my sisters’ safety first and foremost. We all had to be relocated, and I’m sure everyone in this room can appreciate how difficult that was since the academic year had already started. My sisters and I are extremely grateful for the help we received in that matter from the Dean. Can I ask you to thank him again on our behalf with a round of applause?”
Dean Williams has been less than cooperative with her since the fire. The Zetas came very close to losing their Star Cove chapter thanks to the obstacles and the red tape the Dean has thrown at them at every step.
Once Keith Connelly got involved in the rebuilding project, it would have gone against the faculty’s interests to continue on that course. The Dean had to change his tune if he didn’t want to lose Jagger’s family’s substantial donations. I think it’s very smart of Bay to throw him a bone, trying to appease him. It will ensure that next year’s class of Zetas—whether Bianca is elected president or not—won’t have a disgruntled Dean to contend with.
“As Zeta president, I made it my priority this year to rebuild what we lost. I’d be lying to you all if I didn’t tell you that it was a challenge. Things have changed since the original house was built on Greek Row and we simply lacked the funds to rebuild to today’s standards. Had we been anywhere else, in any other campus in the country, we would have probably lost our charter. But Star Cove is a tight-knit family, a community like no other. One of our alumni has come to our aid and his company will build a cutting edge, state-of-the art new Zeta Theta Beta house. I’m talking about none other than Mr. Keith Connelly. Connelly Tech will build our new house and I couldn’t be prouder to show you some of their most recently built Smart Homes.”
Bay presses the button on the remote again. What the actual fuck?
Rather than the photos Bay showed us last night, the screen behind her shows a photo of her and Jagger kissing.
It was taken during the Rush Week Fair. It’s easy to tell because they’re in front of the old Zeta house. The kissing booth the Zetas opened that night is right behind them.
There are a few giggles in the room and Bay turns just in time for the image to change.
The photo is replaced by a video of me and her kissing at the party at the Gamma house. Everyone gasps when Bay and I struggle and I shove, throwing Bay into the pool.
I can tell Bay is flustered by the frantic way she’s pressing the button on the remote. Someone must have hacked into the system, though, because the image changes, but not to the model homes provided by Jagger’s father.
It’s some kind of mini slideshow of her and Cole kissing. I recognize Lakyn’s living room and my name on the back of Bay’s Cove Knights jersey. In the first image, their lips are just touching. The kiss becomes more passionate with every photo; in the final one, Cole is grabbing Bay’s ass with both hands.
This is bullshit.
If this is a prank, it isn’t funny. I’m about to get out of my chair when my phone pings with a text message.
It isn’t just my phone, though. Every phone in the room chimes with an incoming text. I watch with horror as the same blog post that’s on my screen appears magnified on the screen behind Bay.
Not Your Puck Bunny
Hey Bitches, remember me?
No? I’ll introduce myself to the ones who haven’t met me yet. I’m a puck bunny’s worst nightmare.
My job is to expose those filthy sluts who prey on unsuspecting hockey players on every campus in our country. The same sluts that chase professional hockey players once they graduate.
All these gold diggers want is marrying a hockey player. They chase the money, the fame and luxury that comes with those big NHL paychecks.
Last year I exposed one of the worst puck bunnies on our campus, Lakyn Woods. That shameless slut wasn’t satisfied with one hockey player. No, that greedy whore succeeded in getting engaged to three future NHL rookies, including one with a royal title: Prince Luca Leighton-Rossi.
Once Lakyn left Star Cove, I went back into anonymity. But you see for yourselves why I had to come back.
Unfortunately, nature doubled up on the slutty gene. Lakyn’s twin sister, Bay Woods, is just as promiscuous as her infamous sister, as you can see.
She’s even worse, actually.
Not only did Bay already have a hockey player boyfriend. It was none other than one of the most popular men on our campus. The Gamma Delta Tau president Topher Mumford.
One boyfriend wasn’t enough for our slutty puck bunny. As you all can see from the photographic evidence I just offered you, Bay Woods is now fucking three of our Cove Knights.
It doesn’t get any sluttier than this, if you ask me. But Bay must have some real skills, if she got one of her new men to build her a house.
You might look at the Woods sisters and think that being gold digging sluts pays. Believe me, it doesn’t. The world is watching and judging. You have been found wanting.
What happens to a puck bunny when her hockey players get bored with her? When they realize that she’s distracting them, that she’s the reason why their team is on a losing streak?
She gets dumped and discarded like a bag of old jock cups. And believe me, no one will want three guys’ sloppy seconds.
Women like Bay Woods will be a cautionary tale for every woman on this campus who thinks she’s entitled to bite off more than she can chew.
This blogger will personally see to expose every dirty puck bunny on this campus.
As usual, all the photos here are time stamped. Enjoy.
Before I leave you to message Bay Woods and tell her how much we hate disgusting sluts like her, I have one last thing to say. Not all the women on this campus are shameless puck bunnies. Most of us are genuine hockey fans and want to see our team win another Frozen Four.
Hopefully, the Knights and Coach Miller will get rid of the bad juju brought in by greedy puck bunnies and will turn this season around.
I hope you’ll all join me in saying: GO KNIGHTS!
The noise in the room is deafening as everyone is commenting on the photos and on the mysterious blogger’s post. Some people are laughing and there are a few catcalls in Bay’s direction.
Fuck.
I look around and Jagger and Cole are standing up, too. We’re all looking at Bay, frozen on the stage like a deer in the headlights.
I move on pure instinct and so do Jagger and Cole.
We advance toward the stage in a way that reminds me of how we move on the ice. It’s just a lot slower, since there are obstacles in our way and the wooden floor of the Dean’s huge dining room isn’t covered in ice.
“Someone turn that screen off!” The Dean yells.
We’re almost at the base of the small makeshift stage when Bay finally springs into action and bolts.
“Bay!” I call, but she can’t hear me in the mayhem of people reacting to that horrible post. “Bay, wait!”
She’s at the door before the guys and I can change course.
Damn, how can she run that fast in heels?