The Puck Decoy (Fairfield U, #2)

by G.N. Wright

Hallie smiles as she mouths the word “Joshua” to me with a wink, and I can’t help but smile back as I shake my head at her.

“Joshua and Hallie, the two of you are the embodiment of young love,” the minister continues. “You found friendship and unity in your years of getting to know one another, and now, those gathered here today get to bear witness to what that relationship has become.” His words ring truer than I expect given this whole thing isn’t real. We do have friendship and unity, and over a decade of getting to know one another, so even though this is fake, it still very much factors into the reason we are standing here right now.

“Hallie, you’re my best friend,” I start, surprised by how fast that revelation falls from my lips. I mean, it’s true of course, but I’m not sure if she even knows that anymore. “I know I haven’t always made that clear between us, but you are, and you have been since the first time I laid eyes on you on this very spot.”

I honestly didn’t know what to think when the girl with the sunshine smile walked into the middle of my game without saying a word, and for some reason she looked as lost as I felt. Yet from that day forward, she was like a beacon of light I clung onto.

“You didn’t care that you were ruining my hockey game, and have pretty much been a pain in my ass ever since, but you’re still my best friend in the whole world,” I tell her truthfully, because outside of my sister, she is the one other person I truly care about and the only person I could picture myself doing this with. “You’ve been by my side for ten years, and I can’t think of another person I would want to take this journey with.”

“Joshua,” she all but whispers, her knuckles white as they fist around mine, but I squeeze them right back, letting her know that no matter what, I will always be there to hold her hand. “I mean it, Hals, I’ll always be your best friend. No matter what.”

she exhales a slow breath as her thumb works back and forth over the top of my hand. “Josh, you’re my best friend too, and it feels special to admit that to you when we are standing somewhere I consider to be our spot,” she admits softly, before turning to my sister and adding, “Sorry, Mads, you know I still love you.”

“I still don’t know what I was looking for the day I met you. I think I was just anxious about moving to a new town, and wanting somewhere quiet to clear my head. I guess I know you well enough now to realize you were doing the same.”

“You’ve always been a lost boy to me, the Peter to my Tinkerbell, and well, I guess I just want you to know that from the moment I found you I knew that you were special, that you would be important to me, I just never imagined how much, and I’m glad we get to take this journey together too.”

my eyes remain on Hallie’s, on the way she is looking at me, and not just looking, but seeing me, all of me. The good, the bad, the awful, and yet still, deep down I can tell she meant every word she just said, and it should make me feel good inside. I should be thankful to have someone like her beside me, but all it does is remind me of what a dick I’ve been to her for the last few years. The Peter to my Tinkerbell. Stupid, childish nicknames that I used to detest, yet now they remind me that no matter how bad my father and mother might be, I still have a sister who loves me, and a friend–and almost wife–who would do anything for me.

We let the minster speak and repeat the words after him, me going first and slipping the matching band I got with her engagement ring onto Hallie’s finger. Then she goes next, surprising me with a ring of my own which is a simple platinum band with a small emerald strip down the center. It matches hers perfectly, and as rings go, it’s one I won’t mind wearing everyday.

“By the power vested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

I nearly started clapping, what? 😭

It’s so beyond perfect that I can’t even begin to describe it. Then this place, the place where I first saw him, first met him, first heard his name, now scattered with flowers and candles that led me straight to him. Him. The boy. The perfect boy with the broken smile, now looking at me like I have just given him everything, and just like the first day I met him, all I can do is smile back.

You may kiss the bride. Five simple words and the first of our rules goes right out of the window. Without hesitation, Josh pulls me in until I am flush against him, then reaches up and gently cups the back of my neck, his thumbs tipping my chin back towards his full height, as he whispers with a smile, “It’s okay, Tink, we both know you love breaking the rules anyway.”

Josh is looking at me like he has never seen me before, and it unnerves me enough to make a joke. “Well that was about as awful as I imagined.” I tell him boldly, lying through my teeth as I try to get my heartbeat to return to a normal pace. One more kiss from him and I might just be ruined forever. Josh just smirks. “Oh yeah? Imagine me kissing you often, do you?”

“You wish. I never think about such things, which is good because I would be greatly disappointed.” Another lie considering I can still feel the warmth of his lips against mine, and it’s taking every ounce of self control I have to not lean in and kiss him again, just for one more taste. “You’re a terrible liar.” I am. “And you’re a terrible kisser.” He’s not. “Well, anytime you want to test that theory, Mrs. Peters, all you have to do is ask.” Mrs. Peters. Be still my beating heart.

“Maddie, I can’t believe you still have this, it’s perfect.” I remember the summer she was obsessed with taking pictures with that camera, no activity of ours was safe from her lens. Maddie shrugs with a smile. “Maybe I always knew you guys were meant to be,” she tells us, as Josh moves to hand me something else. “This is something new and blue,” he winks, handing me a ring pop exactly the same as the ones we used to have as kids, and I can’t help but laugh.

Ignoring them I take a sip of my own, the fruity and tangy mixture of alcohol and juice exploding on my tongue, as I ask, “What is this?” Alexander smiles at me as he downs his own. “It’s my own creation, I call it the Baby Maker,” he purrs with a wink, and I almost choke on my second sip, as Josh once again curses beside me.

That made me choke on my saltine 😂 the proposal?

he warns him, and it sends a thrill up my spine. Which is ridiculous considering I know he is only protecting me in the same manner he does Maddie, like a sister, not a wife, not a real one anyway, and the thought is sobering.

“Why would it be weird? It’s not like we haven’t shared a room before.” He stands, moving to his dresser and unclasping his watch, before undoing the buttons on his shirt, and all I can do is stare in awe as he reveals his perfectly chiseled stomach and abs. “I think it’s a bit different now than when you were twelve,” I scoff, gesturing towards him, and all he does is smirk. “Don’t tell me, my little Hallie bear, is scared of a hot body?”

“Please, you are not that hot.” His smirk only widens as he moves towards me. “Once again, you are a terrible liar, Mrs. Peters,” he gleams, with a wicked look in his eye as he leans in close to me until I can feel his breath on my neck. “Now step aside so I can get a blanket, I’ll sleep on the floor.”

I’ll do better next time,” I tell her, making a mental note to be more prepared from our impromptu sleepovers in the future. “Next time,” she laughs without humor. “Next time you can come and stay in my room where I have everything I need,” she snaps, clearly stressed, and I am already missing her sunshine smile, so I can’t help but tease her. “Inviting me for sleepovers already, wife? My body must be better than I thought.”

“It’s like you think I won’t dick punch you on our wedding night,” she grumbles, totally serious as she struggles with her shoes. I drop down on one knee before her and unbuckle both shoes with ease, eyeing the length of her smooth calf, as I reply, “I mean, now you mention it, my dick does need some attention.”

“I’m sure the hoards of girls that would give it some are going to be weeping in their beds this week when they find out it’s no longer on the market.” Rising back to my full height I flash her a mischievous grin. “Hmm, note to self, my wife is jealous and feisty, I like it.”

“I am wearing your jersey,” she snaps again, as I pick up her weapon of choice and toss it back onto the bed. “So? You wear my jersey all the time,” I shrug, not seeing what her point is.

“I’m wearing your jersey and nothing else,” she whispers, looking down at her bare legs as her fingers pull against the hem that reaches her mid thigh. “Yes I wear it all the time, but it’s usually with pants,” she adds in exasperation.

I’m wearing your jersey and nothing else. Damn. That’s not the first time I’ve heard something like that, but it’s definitely the first time I’ve cared. I mean I’m not blind, I know she is hot as fuck, I have just never allowed myself to look at her like that. She’s my little sister’s best friend, she’s my friend, but right now as she stands in nothing but my jersey, the thoughts I am having about her are far from fucking friendly.

“Well if you’re asking for my opinion, I much prefer this look on you.” She groans at my response, moving toward the mirror to check out where the hem reaches again. “I was not asking for your opinion, asshole, but maybe some pants?”

“Hallie, you’re like 5ft barely nothing, do you really think I’m gonna have pants that fit you?” I shake my head as I crouch down and ready myself to sleep on the floor. “Just get in bed and stop being ridiculous.”

“Easy for you to say, your body is fantastic,” she grumbles, throwing herself into my bed with a huff. “Glad to know my new wife is so attracted to me,” I muse, relishing the way she once again curses my name. “And trust me, Hals, if anyone else was lucky enough to see those legs, I’m sure they’d be thinking the same bad thoughts I am.”

I swear she doesn’t realize how gorgeous she is sometimes. Hence the campus-wide no touching rule that includes her and Madeline. Maddie because she was my sister, and Hallie because she was, well, my Hallie. None of the assholes here are good enough for her, even more so now she’s my wife.

Stooooop 🤭

“Only if you are thinking that I should wrap them up in some pants.” she laughs, and I can hear her getting comfy, so I try to do the same. “You could definitely wrap them somewhere,” I reply without thinking, and the silence that follows is deafening, and I ruffle around in my sheets. “Sorry, that came out by default, I forgot you weren’t a random hot girl for a second there.” She scoffs again, “Man whore.” “Brat,”

not bothering to correct her statement considering I haven’t slept with anyone since the beginning of the year, and enjoying ...

“Asshole.” She won’t stop. “Drama queen.” I can’t stop. “Nice abs,” she coos sweetly, switching tactics just like she always used to do, trying to catch me off guard, and I laugh. “Yeah, and nice legs,” I reply instantly, shuffling around trying once again to get comfy.

“Oh my god if I have to listen to you move around one more time I am going to scream,” she snaps, sitting up to glare at me. “Just get in the bed.” My entire body freezes. “You want me to get in the bed with you?” I confirm, almost sure I misheard her. We’ve shared a room before, but never a bed. “Yes, I cannot listen to you fidgeting all night, not when things are already dire for me right now, so just get up here,”

Well, who am I to disobe...

🤭

It’s weird to see someone in my bed, even her, mostly because I never have girls in my bed, ever. Once you let them in your bed it’s hard for you to get them to leave, so I just don’t do it with any girl. But Hallie isn’t any girl, not before today, and definitely not now she’s mine.

Other than that and the sound of our breathing it’s silent, and it’s in that silence that I think about the magnitude of what we did today. We got married. I married her. I am someone’s husband, she is my wife.

“Josh,” she whispers into the dark. “Can I ask you something?” She’s so quiet that once she stops speaking I could almost pretend she isn’t here, yet I can feel her everywhere. Which is strange since we aren’t even touching.

“You can ask me anything,” I tell her the same thing I’ve told her since she was nine, and prepare for one of ...

I went to see them because I respect them, and I respect their daughter, and I didn’t want them hearing about it from anyone else. And I asked your dad’s permission because despite this being fake, my caring for you is very real. You’re important to me, you’re my family, and I needed him to know that no matter what I have your back, always.”

“Do you really have an off limits rule on me around campus?” Now that’s something I am definitely not answering, no good will come of me admitting that, or giving her my reasons why. I like my dick unpunched and still attached to me, thank you very much.

“That’s too many questions, go to sleep,” I snap out into the dark, and I can practically feel her smile. “Oh my god you do, don’t you?” she accuses happily, bashing me with yet another pillow. Where the fuck does she keep geeting them from? “Damn, people better be careful around me, apparently my husband is a psycho.” I laugh as I toss the pillow on her head as I reply, “Yeah so you better tell all your boyfriends to back off.”

“All my boyfriends? The only boyfriend I’ve ever had went running to the hills as soon as we graduated with no reason why, so I think you’re safe there.” I’m not sure she means to sound wounded by it, but she does. “Are you talking about Joey?”

“Or Jockstrap Jerkoff as he is more affectionately known in my house,” she tosses back, and I can just imagine all the other names her and Maddie must have called him over the years. “Yeah that suits him to a tea,”

“I didn’t realize you really knew him.” Fuck. Busted. I aim my response to be as casual as possible. “We may have spoken once or twice.” Another pillow right in the head. “What did you do?” she yells, hitting me with the pillow three more times before I grab hold of it to stop her. “Fucking hell, will you stop with the pillows, and what makes you think I did something?”

“Because it’s you. You always do something. Remember when your cousin Jason tried to kiss me at that party, and you broke his nose? Or when that guy from your class was taking pictures of Maddie and me in our swimsuits, and you drowned him in the pool? And don’t even get me started on that creepy guy who used to work for your dad, he ended up in the hospital, you could have killed him,”

“That’s what he gets for being a fucking pervert, you were fifteen, besides your dad thought it was hilarious.” “What did you do to Joey?” she grits, not sounding as amused by the storytelling as I am. “Nothing.” “Joshua.” “Nothing, I swear.”

“Remember the second rule on our contract?” she fumes, reminding me of the little agreement we signed on her notepad. “No lying,” I huff out, knowing she isn’t going to let this go until I tell the truth. “Fine, I broke his arm.” “Josh!” “What? He fucking deserved it, Tink.

Bro what? He’s crazy. But it kinda makes me think he likes her more than he realizes

“And you did that for me?” she asks, almost sounding shocked. I don’t know why, I’ve always had her back. “I’d do anything for you, Hals, you know that,” I tell her truthfully. “Thank you.”