Page 54 of The Pucking Kiss
Jake burst out laughing. “I knew it was true. But damn, man, I didn’t think you’d ever be the sort of dude who gets jealous. I mean…” his voice dropped to a hushed whisper, “Wasn’t this whole thing with Romai just a big act?”
“It was,” I frowned. “Still is. But I don’t fucking know, man, I just don’t know what got into me.”
Jake gave me a wide smile like he could see through all my bullshit. “My man, sounds like you’re in love.”
I glared at him. “I don’t fall in love.”
“Really?” he grinned. “Then what explains you acting all territorial over your FAKE girlfriend?”
I shrugged. “I’m still a man. Love or no love, doesn’t mean I’m okay with sharing.”
Jake chuckled, patting me playfully on the back. “Sounds like denial to me.”
“Listen, Jake. I really don’t have the time to sit around and have you psychoanalyze my love life. If anything, you should make yourself useful and help with this new fucking condition Romai has set out for me.”
“A condition?” his interest piqued immediately.
“Apparently, I need to ask her to prom,” I huffed. “And that I need to do it properly.”
“Oh, you should make a grand gesture. Girls love that,” Jake replied.
If I had to take relationship advice from anyone in the world, it would be from Jake. He and his girlfriend had been in a solid long-term relationship for many years now, and he was definitely an expert at it at this point.
“Grand gesture?” I winced, feeling daunted by the idea already.
The most I had ever done for a girl was get her flowers. And THAT was me being romantic. I couldn’t imagine something more grand than that.
“Yeah, man,” Jake shrugged. “Plan out a whole thing, make her feel special, you know?”
I shook my head, “This area is way out of my expertise. Plus, I need to focus on my game.”
“Tell you what?” Jake said, “Invite her over to practice today, and we’ll have all the boys hold up a sign that says ‘Will you go to prom with me?’.”
“That’s…” I hesitated, “The boys are gonna make fun of me.”
“You gotta pick,” Jake raised his eyebrow, “It’s either your girl or your boys.”
“She’s not my girl,” I repeated, annoyed again.
“Yeah, yeah. Lover boy,” Jake grinned, “Now come on, do you really want to do this? I can go get some cardboard, and we can set the whole thing up.”
“Fine,” I finally relented. “If you think it’ll work, then let’s do it.”
Later that day, I somehow managed to convince Romai to show up to practice. ‘It’ll be worth your while,’ I promised her, and she reluctantly agreed.
Jake had helped me set up the whole thing. We had decided to go with his idea, and I just wished that it would be grand enough for Romai.
If she wanted ‘romance,’ then I was going to give it to her.
The cold air inside the ice hockey rink nipped at my cheeks as I waited with a heart pounding like a drumbeat. She was going to be here any moment now.
Why the hell was I even nervous? It’s not like she’s going to say no.
But somehow, having my teammates all geared up, each one holding up a piece of paper, made the entire thing feel like a spectacle.
I felt like my reputation was on the line here.
Finally, the moment came when Romai finally walked into the rink. She was oblivious at first, but then her eyes widened with curiosity as she took in the sight in front of her.