Page 24 of Desperate Pucker (Denver Bashers #6)

Maddy

Ifight a smile as I stare down at the note Ryker left me next to the can of Coke.

A treat for you.

My tummy does a somersault.

I think about how Ryker insisted I go back to sleep when he left to fly to Salt Lake City for the Bashers’ away game—how he went out of his way to take care of me.

This whole time, I had him pegged all wrong.

He’s more than just the gruff hockey player I wrote him off as.

He’s an amazing big brother who helped take care of his siblings.

He bakes cookies for his little sister. He spent the night before a big hockey game taking care of me, listening to me open up about my ex and my dad, about my insecurities, about my breakdown at the Olympics.

He didn’t lecture me or make me feel judged. He supported me. He told me my feelings were valid. No one’s ever done that before.

He comforted me and reassured me and told me how amazing I am.

And then he opened up and told me about what happened with his ex, how she broke his heart. He was raw and vulnerable with me.

That feeling inside of me intensifies, burrowing deeper.

I can’t deny it anymore. I like Ryker. I like him so much.

A tiny sliver of doubt seeps into that happy feeling.

I haven’t liked anyone since my breakup with Sergei.

After that disaster, I swore I’d never get involved with anyone ever again.

And for the past two years, it was easy to do that.

I was pretty isolated. I didn’t date or go on apps or spend much time with anyone.

But spending time with Ryker has me rethinking everything.

I push the feeling aside. I shouldn’t get ahead of myself. Right now, we’re just friends who have messed around a bit…who like each other more than just friends. We’re just getting to know each other.

I think about what he said to me before he left this morning.

I’ll take any reason to spend time with you.

That’s exactly how I feel about him too.

I pick up my phone and text him, even though he’s on a flight right now and won’t be able to receive messages on his phone until he lands. But I want him to know that I’m thinking about him.

Hey. Thanks for the Coke. And thank you again for taking care of me.

I crack open the can and grab a glass, fill it with ice, and pour myself some Coke. I close my eyes and hum at the crisp sweetness.

Bruce rubs up against my legs, purring loudly. I smile down at him.

“He’s pretty great, isn’t he?”

My phone buzzes with a text from Ingrid.

Ingrid: Hey! Ryker told us you’ve been home sick dealing with food poisoning. How are you feeling now?

Me: A lot better. Thanks for checking on me.

Ingrid: Yay! Are you hungry? Want me to bring you some food?

Me: You don’t need to do that. And aren’t you leaving with the team to go to Salt Lake City?

Ingrid: I’m staying back to work on a project, the social media intern is going to travel with them. I can stop by and drop off some food for you. I’m always starving after recovering from a stomach bug. What are you in the mood for?

My stomach growls at the mention of food.

Me: You sure you don’t mind? I don’t want you to go out of your way.

Ingrid: I’d love to! Really!

Me: I’d love some pho if that’s not too much trouble.

Ingrid: No trouble at all :) And hey, Dakota, Maya, and Bella were asking if they could bring you anything too, so they might stop by with me, if that’s okay? Sophie wanted to too, but she had to travel with the team.

I smile down at my phone screen, heartened that my new friends care so much about me.

Me: That would be awesome to see you all :)

Ingrid: On our way!

I hop in the shower to clean myself up after two days of being sick on the bed and couch. An hour later, I’m sitting in my living room with Ingrid, Maya, Bella, and Dakota.

“We brought you way too much food.” Dakota chuckles at the spread on my coffee table.

There’s pho takeout for all of us, banana bread, rice pudding, and a fruit plate.

My tummy rumbles as I dig into my pho. I hum at the savory flavors bursting on my tongue.

“Oh my god,” I moan while chewing, then slurp more of the broth. “This is so good.”

“Best pho in Denver,” Ingrid says as she digs into her bowl.

“Thanks so much, you guys,” I say to them. “This is so nice of you to go out of your way for me.”

Ingrid flashes a bright smile. “We’re your friends, Madeline. We’re happy to.”

A warm feeling washes over me.

“Are you okay?” Dakota says when I go quiet.

I offer a small smile. “Yeah, it’s just…I’m not used to this. It’s been a while since I’ve had a group of girl friends to hang out with.”

They all look at me, their expressions sympathetic.

“I was so focused on figure skating most of my life that I let everything else fall behind. Including friendships.”

Ingrid, who’s sitting next to me on the couch, reaches over and gives my arm a soft squeeze.

“It feels really nice to spend time with you guys. You’re all so kind and welcoming,” I say quietly.

“We love spending time with you,” Ingrid says with her trademark sweet smile.

“We’re happy that you like hanging out with us,” Dakota says.

“Really happy,” Maya says, smiling.

“It’s hard to make friends as adults. Especially in this hockey world,” Bella says. “We’re just happy you want to hang out with us. We can be a lot.”

I chuckle. “You guys are perfect.”

We finish our pho and dig into the fruit plate.

“So. How are things with Ryker going?” Ingrid asks. I don’t miss the curious gleam in her bright blue eyes.

I fight a smile and clear my throat. “Good.”

“Just good?” Bella asks, a teasing smile on her face. “When I dropped Braden at the airport this morning, Ryker was there too, and I overheard him mention he stayed at your place last night.”

They all look at me. My cheeks heat, and I let out a flustered chuckle.

“He did stay over last night. He, um, took care of me while I was sick.”

They all go, “Aww!”

“That guy is such a softie,” Ingrid says.

Dakota nods. “All those gruff, grumpy guys are sweethearts on the inside.”

I smile down at the strawberry slice on my plate. “He’s honestly the sweetest guy I’ve ever met.”

When I look up, they’re all gazing at me with giddy smiles.

“This is so damn cute,” Maya says.

“Very, very cute,” Ingrid says.

I chuckle. “Is it?”

Ingrid nods. “You guys didn’t like each other. You clashed the moment you met. And now look at you two. He goes out of his way to play sexy nurse to you when you’re sick.”

I burst out laughing. “Nothing sexy happened. I was gross and sweaty and unshowered.” I clear my throat. “But there was some cuddling. And kissing. And we fell asleep together in my bed.”

They all squeal, and I laugh even harder.

“So, wait, are you two a thing now?” Ingrid asks.

I shake my head. “After what I went through with my ex, I don’t think I could date or be in a relationship again.”

They all look at me with uncertain expressions, like they’re doubting me. I guess I can’t blame them. They’re all happily paired up with their fiancés and husbands.

“I gave so much of myself, and when it was over, I was heartbroken and humiliated. I can’t do that again.”

They nod like they understand, even though they all look disappointed.

“I’m glad that Ryker and I are friends now though.”

“Friends who make out and sleep in the same bed,” Bella teases.

I roll my eyes and chuckle.

“Honestly, being friends feels like a big step given how much we disliked each other for the past couple of months.”

“Yeah, I get it,” Bella says. “But I hated Braden when I first met him. We clashed constantly. Then we realized we had dynamite chemistry in the bedroom, so we started hooking up. And now look at us. Engaged.”

“That’s me and Theo too,” Maya says.

I look between her and Bella. I can’t imagine ever being engaged or married. Just the thought has my stomach in knots.

“It’s okay if you’re skittish about commitment,” Maya says, as if she can read my mind. “I was too. I thought I’d never, ever get married, but then I met Theo. And he changed my mind in the best way.”

I’m happy that she found the love of her life…but I can’t ignore that uneasy feeling that digs through the pit of my gut when I think about ever getting married.

“You guys are going to freak her out with all this talk about engagements and getting married,” Ingrid says. “She spent one night with Ryker. Go easy on her.”

“It’s okay,” I say. “It’s just…it’s not only my ex that makes me skittish about all this.”

I take a breath, nervous to tell them more. But they’ve been such supportive friends to me. I owe it to them to be honest about my feelings.

“My parents were never married,” I say. “I was born as a result of their affair.”

“Oh my gosh,” Ingrid says.

“I’m sorry, Madeline,” Dakota says.

I shake my head. “It’s just hard to have a lot of faith in romance when my history is what it is. I’m the product of an affair. My one and only boyfriend cheated on me.”

“Does Ryker know about all this?” Ingrid asks softly.

I nod. “We talked about it while he was taking care of me. He was really understanding about all of it.”

“He’s a good guy,” Dakota says. They all nod along.

I eat a strawberry. “I really like him,” I finally say. “I think that’s what’s so scary. The last time I liked someone, my got heart ripped to shreds.”

“That’s totally understandable,” Ingrid says. She flashes a reassuring smile.

“Sorry, we didn’t mean to freak you out talking about our relationships,” Maya says.

I smile at her and Bella. “It’s okay. Really. It’s nice knowing that things worked out for you guys.”

We finish eating while they catch me up on what’s been going on with them the past couple of days. After a couple of hours, they get up to leave. I hug them and thank them again for coming over.

When I finish cleaning up, I glance at my phone and see a message from Ryker. I’m smiling instantly.

Ryker: Glad you liked the Coke. How are you feeling?

Me: Tons better. I felt well enough to eat pho and fruit for lunch.

Ryker: Good girl

My tummy flips. I really, really like it when he calls me that.

Me: How are you feeling after not getting enough sleep?

Ryker: Just fine. I’ll get a nap in before the game.

Me: I’ll be cheering for you.

Ryker: You gonna watch me play?

Me: Of course I will

He sends back a grinning emoji

Me: Relax, I’m only watching so I can critique your skating. I need to know what your weaknesses are so you can work on them during our next skating lesson.

Ryker: Ouch.

I laugh.

Ryker: But I kind of like it when you ride me hard during those lessons.

I bite my lip, giddy at how flirty he’s being.

Me: Is that so?

Ryker: Yeah.

Me: Maybe I should ride you harder then.

Ryker: Just name the time and place, princess. I’m there.

My face is hot, and my heart is beating faster.

Me: You’re delirious. Go get some sleep before the game.

Ryker: Nighty night, princess

The whole rest of the day, I reread our text conversations, feeling giddy every single time. I have no idea where this thing with Ryker is going. All I know is that I like it. And I want more.