Page 45 of Risking the Pucking Defense

“What?” I blurt, staring down at a suitcase full of men’s clothes.

No, not just men’s clothes.

Hayden’s clothes.

His scent hits me, and I take a step back as memories from that night slam into me.

My chest heaves as I stand there staring as if it’ll all magically disappear, my own things replacing it before my very eyes.

But unsurprisingly, that doesn’t happen.

With the suitcase still open on my bed, I march through my apartment to where I left my purse and pull my cell out.

Hayden: A date with a lobster, kinky

I shake my head, unable to stop the smile that emerges. I tap out a message and send it without giving myself a chance to question it.

Hailee: We have a problem…

This time, he reads it immediately and starts typing.

My heart jumps into my throat as I wait.

Hayden: I thought that when I woke up alone this morning. What’s a guy to do?

“Shit,” I hiss, abandoning my cell on the kitchen counter in favor of pouring myself a glass of wine.

I startle when my cell vibrates on the counter, and I lift my glass and swallow a huge mouthful.

Why did I message him?

I could have just taken the suitcase to the arena, and we could have exchanged them there. I clearly don’t need anything inside mine, or I would have noticed before now that I walked off with the wrong one. And I guess the same can be said for him.

I walk back over and glance at the screen.

Hayden: I’m sorry, that was out of line. What’s the problem? Anything I can help with?

I swallow another mouthful of wine before picking my cell up and sending another message.

Hailee: I think I have your suitcase.

Hayden: You think?

A laugh erupts.

Hailee: I have your suitcase.

Hayden: I guess that means I must have yours

I stare at that winky face, suspicion flowing through me.

He was the one to point out that we had the same suitcase. He was also the one who took mine from me and put both of them in the trunk, and then took them out again.

He knew.

Hailee: I was planning on working from home over the weekend, but I can bring it to the arena on Monday. I don’t need mine, so just bring it when you can.

Hayden: Okay.