One Pucking Destiny (Crane Hockey #4)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER

ONE

SEBASTIAN

T he green sign for the bookstore comes into view as I approach on foot. I’m embarrassed it took me so long to find this place, but seriously, the entrance is hidden down this narrow alleyway, and the sign is barely the width of a door. I hear that brick-and-mortar bookstores are a dying breed. But if they’re all as confusing to get to, I’m not surprised.

Michigan’s capital isn’t small, but I wouldn’t refer to it as a big city, especially the part that houses Michigan State University. I suppose it’s spread out as far as college campuses go, but it's not hard to navigate. Yet…finding this bookstore was like discovering the secret entrance to Knockturn Alley—a dodgy place wi zards hang out. It’s a Harry Potter thing. I suppose that’s fitting since my sister Hattie and I read that series together several times while growing up, and I’m here finding a book she wants.

Hattie has been going on about some book she saw on TikTok that she’s dying to read. In her words, this book has “all the feels.” However, it’s by a local indie author, so it isn’t available in the big bookstores. While searching for the book this morning, I discovered this place had one copy. Yes, I could’ve ordered it from Amazon had I planned ahead, but this was a last-minute trip, and as is the custom when I visit my sister, I come bearing gifts. My sister’s love language is receiving gifts and mine is acts of service, making us a perfect pair. And yes, we buddy read that love language book together a few years ago, too.

We do most things together and always have. Growing up, we told everyone we were twins even though we were two months apart. After years of trying to conceive, my parents were told that having children naturally wasn’t in the cards for them, so they went the surrogate route. A few months into the surrogate’s pregnancy with Hattie, my mom found out she was pregnant with me. Our parents like to call us their miracles.

My phone buzzes from my back pocket. I pull it out to see Hattie’s face. Sliding my thumb across the screen, I answer. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Hey, Twin. When are you going to get here?”

“Soon. Had to make a quick stop.”

“Oh yeah? Need any suggestions for that stop?” Humor lines her voice.

“Would you stop tracking me on GPS? You take all the fun out of my surprises.”

“What?” She feigns innocence. “I’m just saying if you want any suggestions, you know, like some titles of books on my Tbr, I’m here.”

“Actually, I am running a little late. I know you wanted to do dinner at that Mexican place before we go out, so I’ll just skip it and head your way.”

She snorts a giggle. “You little brat. Fine. I’ll love whatever you choose.”

“You always do.”

“True. You have good taste.”

“Obviously.”

“Well, hurry. I really am starving. I haven’t eaten all day in preparation for the restaurant. I can’t wait to stuff my face with their chimichanga. I’m ordering the mega chimi. I’ve been dreaming about that white cheese sauce.”

A smile spreads across my face, and I shake my head. “Be there soon. ”

Phone back in my pocket, I pull open the door, and a bell chimes as I enter.

I’m sure Hattie has been here many times. The place is right up her alley, adorable and whimsical. I make a beeline to the romance section.

Now, I’m thinking about that white cheese sauce, too. I really should ask the server for the ingredients so I could recreate it and make it anytime. I simply need to figure out what kind of cheese they use.

Possible cheeses for the recipe flash through my head as I spot the book Bared Souls , with its pink and purple watercolor heart on the cover.

Bingo.

I reach for the book and am taken aback when, instead of the cover, my hand grabs someone else’s hand.

Startled, I look to my side to see a woman. But she’s not just any woman—she’s a goddess. She holds me in her big chocolate-eyed stare. Her long brown hair cascades down over her shoulders as she pouts out her lusciously full lips. Hot girl or not, this is the only copy of this book available, and I need it.

Blinking, I tear my gaze from her beautiful features and focus on our hands, both grabbing the book—the gift intended for my sister.

“Oh sorry, I’m getting this one,” I say, flashing her a smile laced with my foolproof boy-next-door charm .

Only she doesn’t seem remotely charmed. Her brows furrow as her mouth falls into a scowl. “No, I’m getting this one.”

We refuse to release our grasp on the book in question, so I tighten my grip. “Well, see, it’s the only one in stock, and I’m picking it up for my sister.”

“Yeah, I know it’s the only one in stock. I’m the one who called the bookstore and asked them to order it. Therefore, it’s mine.”

This girl is projecting a bit of an attitude, but man, she’s pretty.

Focus.

“Look. I need this book. My sister has wanted it forever, and it will make her really happy. How about you pick out two other books…or three…or five, whatever you want, and I’ll buy them for you. Please.”

I feel her grasp tighten on the book, so I do the same.

“That’s a nice offer, but no. I want this one. Why don’t you buy your sister another two, three, or five books?” She raises a brow.

“Because she wants this one.” I sigh.

“Yeah, I know the feeling.” In some sort of crafty stealth move, she pulls the book out from under my grasp and hugs it against her chest. “Better luck next time. ”

I hold up my hands, palms out. “Wait, wait, wait. Just…let’s discuss. We need to do this fairly.”

“It is fair. I ordered the book. It arrived. I’m getting it.”

“Yeah, well, I searched for this book online, saw there was a copy, and drove here from Ann Arbor to get it, giving me just as much right to it as you. Plus, we reached for it at the same time. So…” I smile at her again, the one that usually has girls falling at my feet.

“So I’m buying it.” Unimpressed, she steps around me.

“Wait.”

She turns around, wearing a look of determination. “Yes?”

“Let’s flip for it,” I offer.

“No.”

“Rock, paper, scissors?”

“No.”

Blowing out a breath, I rock up on the balls of my feet and back to my heels. “Look, I’ll order you one on Amazon. It will be here in two days, and I’ll buy you other books today.”

“Why didn’t you just buy it on Amazon?”

“Because I’m visiting my sister today, and she really wants it. Please,” I basically beg, steepling my hands against my chin.

“Sorry, it’s a mood thing.” She shrugs. “I’m in the mood to read this one today. I need a good cry, and it’s my birthday.”

Put it off to the fact that this girl may just be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen or that she wants to cry on her birthday, but I don’t have it in me to argue about the book anymore. Hattie will survive with another one. I guess I should’ve had her send me that Tbr list after all.

“Fine. You win. But can you please help me pick out something else for my sister? I had planned on getting her that book, so I didn’t listen to the other ones she wanted.”

She nods and looks at the book in her hand. “Sure. I can do that. If she wanted this one, that means she likes emotional contemporary romance–type reads. I have some recs.”

“Thank you.”

She steps toward me and passes on the way to the romance section.

I follow. “What’s your name?”

She scoffs, shaking her head. Removing books from the shelf, she places them in my hand. “Yeah…no. With that smile you keep flashing and that face of yours, I'm sure you’re used to getting any girl you want, but that’s not what’s happening here.”

“What about my face? ”

She grins. “Look at you, fishing for compliments. You know you’re hot. I’m sure you’re told all the time.”

“Uh, okay, pot, meet kettle.”

She drops another book in my hand and turns back toward the shelf with a shrug. “I never said I wasn’t pretty or whatever, but I don’t need a guy in a bookstore to fuel my ego.”

“You’re a little abrasive.” I steady the armful of books she’s given me against my chest.

“Just not in the mood.” She holds up her book. “In need of a good ugly cry, remember?” She eyes the stack of books in my arms. “Is that enough?”

“Yeah, thanks. Alright, Book Girl. Let me buy your book for you, at least. Consider it a happy birthday and a thank you for your help.”

“Sure, I guess.” The corners of her mouth tilt up into a hesitant smile.

I eye the stack of books in my arms. “Alright then. Set it here.”

Wrinkling her brows, she steps back. Clutching the book against her chest, she radiates utter distrust.

I laugh. “I’m not going to steal your book. I promise. I’ll pay for it and give it right back.”

Narrowing her assessing gaze, she puckers her lips and steps toward me. “I will pummel you if you don’t give it back.”

“I don’t doubt it.” I chuckle. She sets her book on the stack of others in my arms. “Look at this face. Do you think I’d steal a book from a pretty girl on her birthday?” I give her my panty-dropping smile once more, and just like before, it doesn’t faze her.

She scoffs. “Please. I was raised by the strongest woman, and you know what she always told me?”

“What?”

“The more beautiful they are, the more dangerous they are.”

“Well, I can assure you, I’m not dangerous.”

“That’s exactly what someone up to no good would say,” she teases. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

I nod. “Yes, I do. Give me a sec.”

She peruses the shelf of books closest to her while I take the stack up to the register. I pay extra for a floral gift bag for book girl’s book and throw in a hundred-dollar Happy Birthday gift card so she can come back for more books later. Everything in me wants to write my name and number on the gift card, but I don’t. She’s made it clear that she doesn’t want anything to do with me, and I have to respect her wishes. Despite her views, not all pretty boys are jerks. I was raised by strong women, too. My grandmother, mom, and sister are three of my favorite people in the world. I have a sincere respect for women.

“Happy birthday.” I hold out the gift bag containing her book. “It was nice meeting you, and I hope you have an amazing day.”

“Thanks.” She takes the bag from my hand. “I hope your sister loves her books.”

“I’m sure she will.”

Book Girl gives me a wave and walks out of the store and out of my life. For someone I don’t know at all, her exit twists my heart with a pang of something that resembles sadness. Surely, it’s not that. But there was no denying I wanted her to stay.