Page 16 of Pucking Forbidden

“It’s insane.”

“It’s bold,” she counters. “I like her.”

I glance at the phone and grin. “You would.”

“I would absolutely be friends with her,” she declares, rubbing her hands together. “She sounds like she makes things happen.”

“I suppose she kind of does,” I murmur. “In kind of a batshit crazy way.”

“Lainey’s kind of way,” she cackles, pointing to herself.

I laugh, shaking my head. Lainey and I grew up as neighbors back in Texas, running wild through the heat together until my world shattered when I was thirteen. That was the year my grandmother passed away. She was the absolute love of my grandfather’s life, and after she died, he couldn't bear the empty house anymore. He packed up and moved to Denver to take the head coaching job for the Night Hawks.

Shortly after, by the time my sophomore year rolled around, Dad decided to move to Colorado, too. I’d been devastated at the thought of leaving Texas and Lainey. It was hard, but we managed to keep our friendship strong, even over a long distance.

My heart does that stupid little jump when I see Julian’s name, but I try not to make my excitement too obvious.

Lainey notices anyway.

“Ohhh, is that him?” she sing-songs.

“Shut up,” I mutter, pulling up Julian’s text in another window.

Julian: Survive your classes today?

A smile tugs at my mouth.

Hadley: Barely. I think I lost brain cells.

Julian: No way. You’re so smart, you’ve got some to spare.

My stomach twists. I swallow, typing back something light, ignoring how shitty I feel about myself right now. Lainey watches me like a hawk.

“You like him,” she teases. “You want to kiss him and ride his lumberjack dick.”

I nearly choke. “I do not…”

“Hadley.” She sounds exasperated.

“We’re friends,” I insist… but now, I can’t get the thought of his lumberjack dick out of my head. Damn it!

“Mmhmm,” she hums, unconvinced. “And I’m the fucking Queen of England.”

I roll my eyes and toss a pillow at her. “You’re insufferable.”

“You’re deflecting,” she shoots back. Then, leaning forward, she adds, “Also, for the record? I’m with Skyler.”

“Oh my God.”

“I’m serious!” she exclaims. “Your dad clearly isn’t listening to you. So make him listen.”

My stomach twists.

“Yeah,” I murmur. “Maybe.”

“It’ll be okay,” she assures me gently. “You’ll figure this out. Try being honest with your dad. Maybe he’ll listen, and then you won’t have to do anything crazy to make him understand that you’re serious.”

“I’ve tried,” I sigh.