The Puck Decoy (Fairfield U, #2)

by G.N. Wright

It’s nice, and it’s the first time in a long time where I have spent any extended amount of time with a female and actually enjoyed myself.

This must be a pet peeve or something. I swear it gets on my nerves every time a male character says “female” like bro really? I’d prefer woman or girl or chick even! But “female” ugggh

speak. “It was a really beautiful wedding, I don’t think I told you that,” she whispers, studying a picture of the two of us closely. “A beautiful wedding to go with a beautiful bride,” I muse without thinking, and her eyes flick to mine with a smile. “You’re just being nice to me so I won't punch you in the dick again,” she claims, and I can’t help but laugh, watching closely as she dips another salty french fry into her strawberry milkshake.

“Hals, there are plenty of things I’d like you to do to my dick, punching it isn’t one of them.” Her eyes widen a little as she leans back in the booth and purrs, “Huh, think about me and your dick often do you?” It’s only now I realize what I just admitted to, and I can’t exactly back down now, so instead I lean forward and double down. “Guilty as charged, but in my defense, you are my wife.”

“And how terrible of you to have bad thoughts about your wife.” Her words make me groan, not just because of how she said that, but because of the images it paints in my mind too. “Come on, Tink, don’t say it like that.” Her smile is innocent, her eyes are anything but, as she asks, “Like what?” I flick my stare around the diner casually, cracking my neck in the process to prolong my answer before I reply, “Like you’re mine for the taking.” Now she just looks amused, “How come? What if I were yours for the taking?”

I’m fucked up and jaded by his lack of love and affection, so how could I ever expect myself to be normal and have a real relationship. I’m sure my words will have done the trick, but instead of looking resigned or disappointed, all she does is take a slow sip of her milkshake, my eyes locked on her lips and the straw before she purrs, “Well you know what they say?” I flick my stare back to her. “What do they say, Tink?” Her smile is blinding as she tosses back another fry with a wink. “You can’t have a rainbow without a little rain.”

After that night Hallie and I fall into somewhat of a routine. With the goal of being seen together, we spend our time side by side.

Yeah bud, like that’s the only goal

She even manages to make Sunday dinner at my parents’ house bearable, to the point where I almost feel like thanking my father for forcing my hand and bringing her back to my side. There is just one problem in all of this, and that is the fact I am married to her.

Hallie and I have been in each other’s lives a long time, so much so that I can barely remember what life was like before that. I’ve seen her with braces, watched her cry over boys and movies, and yes I admit there was that one time I tried to kiss her and she pushed me off that rock, but through all of that she has been my friend, my best friend even. Except now, instead of just being my best friend, she is my wife, something that our rings and her proximity remind me of daily.

I had gotten used to keeping her at arm's length, and though I missed her, it was definitely easier, because now she is everywhere. She has invaded every part of my life just like she did when we were kids, only this time there is no escape. She’s my wife. My wife. And to most people that must sound great, being married to an absolute ten who is also your best friend, it would be great. Except this marriage, our marriage, is completely and totally fake. Something I’ve been having to remind myself of almost daily. And what’s wo...

Do you have any idea how many dick punch threats you can receive in just two weeks? One hundred and seventeen, that’s how many.

Why’s he keeping count? 😂

I shake my head, but when her eyes meet mine, they calm down the anger simmering beneath my surface. “And no one falls in love at a wedding, Tink, that’s just a cliche, and besides, love is for fools.” She tosses her makeup back into the bag and turns dramatically clutching her chest. “Oh my husband says the sweetest things.”

“You’re such a drama queen, do you know that?” All she does is smile. “And you’re such an asshole, do you know that?” She pushes past me, sitting down on the edge of my bed to finally put on her shoes.

tonight there is a big party at my house after the game, so we agreed it would be easy if she just stayed here. You know, to keep up appearances to everyone.

Right right, of course

“Finally, let’s go.” I toss my bag onto my shoulder and move to grab the door, but before I can, she slides in front of me and blocks the way. “Ah, ah, hold on a second,” she beams with a smile, one that promises my demise, and feeling that anger coming bubbling back, I can’t help but huff. “Oh my god, what now?” Hallie straightens her shoulders and looks at me with a teasing glint in her eye. “Tell me I look pretty,”

There is no shame or embarrassment, just this girl that is the bane of my existence, making me speechless once again. “What?” I ask, totally baffled, but it doesn’t seem to faze her at all. In fact, all it does is spur her on more, as she presses herself against the door so I can’t open it at all. “You heard me, Joshua, tell your wife, who just spent an hour getting ready for your game, knowing that she is going to be looked at by everyone, that she looks pretty.”

“Hallie,” I warn, needing her to not try and push me like this, not when I need to get to the rink and get ready for said game, but of course she stands her ground. “Joshua,” she tosses back in a mocking tone, and I have t...

I lean in close and bring my mouth to her ear, not missing the blush now creeping up her neck for a second. “My wife looks like the most perfect doorstop I have ever seen,” I whisper, as my hand curls around the door handle, and I use my other to pull her away from it so I can open the door. “You really are an asshole,” she scoffs with a huff, and I have to smother a laugh as she pushes me out through the doorway, slamming it behind us. “But it’s okay, maybe I can find a new friend at the game to tell me I look pretty,” she adds with a wink, and that anger comes flooding back. “Only if you want to spend your evening watching him bleed,” I toss back,

Landon and Levi are barely here when she is, which is good considering Levi gives her a weird look every time he sees her, but at least Landon isn’t bothered either way. In fact, he seems convinced that this thing between Hallie and I has been going on for years. I guess he’s dumber than I thought. That, or we just put on a really good show.

Or, you know, it’s real and YOU’RE the dumb one

“Hope you don’t fall, break your leg, and die,” she tosses over her shoulder, her hips swaying as she moves to walk in the other direction of the seats, and I am reminded of her demands earlier in my room. So before she can go, I reach out and grab her by the belt loop on her jeans and pull her back against my chest. “If I do fall, will my wife kiss it better? Because just like every day, she looks so fucking beautiful tonight.”

😳

I release her before she can reply, knowing I am playing with fire, because even though she has my ring around her finger, she still isn’t mine, nor does she want to be. She’s my friend, my best friend, and nothing more.

UGGHHHHHH

“Got a problem, Darkmore?” I ask, because I don’t care how much my sister cares about him, I still think he’s a giant prick. “You know, Peters? I haven’t had a problem since the moment your sister started sleeping in my bed every night, isn’t that funny?” he smiles, and it takes everything in me not to react and cause yet another fight with him. We have butted heads numerous times over the years, but I promised Maddie I would stop starting shit with him, and right now I am finding it very hard to keep that promise.

Do I need to reread the first book? I swear, I thought nova was better than this. But from this pov he’s being a stupid jerk 24/7

Coach Locke yells from his office, storming from around his desk. “I have an eighteen year old daughter who doesn’t gossip and whine as much as you little shits, and she’s a damn nightmare.” I move my focus back to getting ready, heeding his warning, but I still hear Archer wonder out loud, “Damn, I didn’t know Coach had a daughter.” “Me either, I wonder if she’s hot?” Reign tosses back, only for Coach to come and smack them both on the back of the head. “Keep your little pervert minds away from my daughter,” Coach spits, and then smacks Archer’s head again. “And keep them off Peters’ wife and sister too.” After that I can’t help but smile as I suit up for the game.

Men 🙄 But at the same time, now I wanna see a coach’s daughter romance 🤭

Josh and I went from barely talking to one another, to being married and seeing each other everyday in an instant. It makes quite a change from putting up with him being a complete and total asshole to me, now he’s only a little bit of an asshole, but still an asshole all the same.

I see the boy from before his father tainted him, and I know it’s not the same, that he has been tainted, but it doesn’t change how much I enjoy being around him. And I’m not stupid, I know it doesn’t mean anything to him, not in the way it does to me, but spending so much time together is not great for the slight crush I have on him. Okay, so I love him more now than I ever have, but that’s not my fault. First of all, he’s hot. Second of all, he’s an asshole, and third of all, he’s a shameless flirt. How the hell am I supposed to resist that? I’m just a girl.

Now here I am, sitting front row with his jersey name and number across my back, only now it’s not just his name, it’s my name too.

“Careful or you might get drool on your jersey,” Maddie teases, jolting me from my thoughts as my gaze snaps to hers. “What? No, I wasn’t looking at him,” I say far too quickly, before adding, “I mean, I’m not drooling.” My best friend laughs. “You're a terrible liar, you know that right?” she replies, mirroring what her brother has said to me countless times. “I may have heard that a time or too.”

“But I wasn’t looking at anything.” Maddie shakes her head, her eyes moving back to her boyfriend as she smiles. “You know if you bang my brother that’s like breaking girl code, right?” “What? How is that breaking girl code?” I question instantly before cringing and switching up. “I mean, I don’t even want to bang him so why would I care about girl code?”

“I don’t know who the bigger idiot is, you or my brother,” she replies, shaking her head, as she waves to Nova, and I can’t help but feel envious of her and what they have.

A player from the opposing team crashes into him, slamming him into the ice and my heart catches in my throat. The guy manages a few hits before Daemon rips him away, helping Josh to his feet, but even from across the ice I can see the switch in him has flipped.

By the time they are pulled apart, Josh is bleeding from his lip, but the other guy is bleeding from his whole face, barely able to stand as his teammates help him to his feet. Proving my theory that he is totally psychotic, and one hundred percent completely hot.

Why? Oh my gosh, ughhh. It’s so bad that I agree with that last statement tho 🫣

When he reaches the sin bin his eyes instantly find mine and I can’t help but shake my head in mock disappointment, ignoring the thrill his bloody smile and wink brings me.

I hear the first girl's voice again, only louder this time. “Hey Peters!” she yells, causing Josh to turn his head toward us. “If you want to score again my goal is wide open.”

Josh stands and turns with a smile and a feeling of dread like I have never known curls in the pit of my stomach. Yet instead of replying, all he does is rip off his left glove, bring the hand up to his mouth and bite down on something white around his finger until it pulls away. Only then does he hold up his hand and showcase his fourth finger. His very occupied fourth finger. Oh my god he’s wearing his wedding ring.

“I’ve already scored the only goal I’ll ever need.” His words aren’t casual, and as soon as they are out he brings his gaze back to mine and winks again. “You look good with my last name on your back, Mrs. Peters.”

“It’s my last name now too, maybe I’m wearing it for me?” A couple of people laugh, Maddie included, but as the clock on his time in the sin bin runs out, he stands and backs out with a wink. “Oh trust me, it’s most definitely for me.” Then he’s gone, taking my heart with him as my best friend muses out loud, “You’re in trouble, Tink.” I’m in so much of a daze from her brother's words that I can’t help but reply, “Since the day I met you, Wendy.”