Page 129 of Puck Me Back to Life

I don't know what to say to that.

Because somewhere deep down, I know he's right.

He smiles faintly. “So.”

“So?”

“We're going to leave this apartment.”

I narrow my eyes. “Against my will?”

“Absolutely.”

“You’re kidnapping me.”

“I'm calling it an outing. It'll be fun.”

I can't help smiling. Just a little. Ash notices immediately.

My smile grows despite myself.

“I still don't know about this punishment,” I tease.

“You'll survive.”

“That's reassuring.”

“It isn't supposed to be.”

I laugh quietly. The sound surprises both of us.

Ash leans forward and presses a gentle kiss to my forehead. “No hockey today.”

“No hockey,” I repeat.

“No Noah. Just today.”

I exhale slowly.

The knot in my stomach loosens a fraction. “Just today,” I agree.

Ash stands and offers me his hand. “Come on, prince.”

I slip my fingers into his. He pulls me easily to my feet. I still have no idea what he has planned.

Part of me is genuinely curious. Another part keeps wondering what exactly he means by punishment.

Judging by the amused look on his face, he has no intention of telling me. Not yet.

And somehow, despite everything that happened yesterday, despite Noah, despite the approaching game and the storm still hanging over my life… I find myself looking forward to finding out.

I spend the entire drive trying to guess what Ash means by fun.

My first theory is that he's taking me to a museum. He seems like the kind of person who would unexpectedly know everything about dinosaurs.

My second theory is that he's dragging me somewhere outdoors simply because he enjoys watching me complain.

My third theory is that this is all an elaborate setup for whatever punishment he's been quietly threatening me with for the last hour.