Page 32 of Desperate Pucker (Denver Bashers #6)

Maddy

Isit in the stands, mesmerized as I watch Ryker chase the puck across the ice as the Bashers take on the Montreal Beasts.

He’s skating so fast that the Montreal players have been struggling to keep up with him.

“Ryker is on fire,” Dakota says from the seat next to me.

“Look at how tired that Montreal defenseman is trying to cover him,” Bella says.

We all watch him as he struggles to catch up to Ryker.

“He’s a full second behind him,” Maya says. Dakota nudges me with her elbow, smiling. “It’s all because of you, skating coach.”

I shake my head and hold back a smile. “He’s the one who put in the hard work.”

“So did you. You put together a training plan for him. You’ve been working with him for the past two months straight. He wouldn’t be this fast or playing this well without you,” Bella says.

“Very true,” Maya says. “You’re the kingmaker, Maddy.”

I laugh, feeling proud and happy at once. And excited that I have such supportive friends who don’t hesitate to build me up.

“Thanks, you guys.”

Ryker battles with a Montreal defenseman for control of the puck before taking off with it. He sprints across the ice and zeroes in on their goalie.

He moves like he’s going to shoot, but then passes it back to Del, who sinks the puck into their net. The four of us are on our feet, cheering along with all the Bashers fans in the arena.

The guys crowd around Del to celebrate his goal. I notice Ryker gets a few helmet taps for his impressive assist.

The Bashers are up three-to-one going into the third period. Montreal manages to score after a few minutes, but halfway through, Ryker hits a slap shot into their net.

I gasp. I’ve seen him shoot like that in the videos I’ve watched, but never in person. It’s insane how much power and control he displays in that shot.

The Denver fans go wild. Ryker’s teammates crowd around him to celebrate. As they disperse, Ryker turns and catches eyes with me. His mouth slants up in a sexy half-smile. Then he winks at me.

My stomach takes a tumble. I’m tingly all over.

“That was a hot look he gave you,” Bella teases.

I clear my throat and smile down at my lap. I haven’t told them about how Ryker and I hooked up when he came over to cook dinner for me the other week. As much as I want to gush with my new friends about him, I want to respect Ryker’s privacy.

The game ends with the Bashers winning. Maya, Bella, and Dakota ask if I feel like joining them for a drink.

“Yeah, that sounds fun,” I say.

“We need to treat you to a drink for your new position with the team,” Maya says.

I smile. “It’s not really a new position. I’m just training more of the guys and traveling with the team sometimes.”

“And helping out during practices,” Dakota says. “Come on, Maddy. That’s a big deal. Celebrate yourself.”

I beam. “Okay. Thanks, you guys.”

An hour later, we end up at a small, dimly lit restaurant in the Verdun neighborhood of Montreal, drinking champagne and cocktails in a booth at a table in the middle of the dining space.

“This is quite the combo, fried chicken and cocktails,” Dakota says. She chuckles at a massive plate of fried chicken wings on our table.

“Just wait till the guys come,” Bella says. “They’re going to be starving after that game. That chicken will be gone in seconds.”

A minute later, the guys come in, along with Sophie and Ingrid. We greet each other, and everyone sits down.

“Congrats on the win, you guys,” I say, holding up my glass. “And to you, Sophie, for helping keep these guys in playing shape.”

We all clink our glasses.

“A toast to Madeline for being the best skating coach ever,” Camden says.

Ryker raises his glass, holding my gaze. “Hell yeah.”

Everyone raises their drinks again and hollers, “To Madeline.”

I can’t help the cheesy grin that splits my face at how amazing they all are. They just pulled off a big win against a tough team, and they’re cheering me on.

The guys rip into the fried chicken. It’s gone in just a few minutes.

Bella laughs. “Your guys’ appetite is insane.”

Blomdahl pulls her onto his lap and kisses her. “What time’s your flight in the morning?”

“Early. Just after eight,” she says. “I’m heading back to the hotel after I finish my drink.”

“Me too,” Dakota says. She, Maya, and Bella all flew out to watch the guys play in Montreal, but they’re flying back to Denver in the morning to go back to work.

“When is your guys’ flight?” Bella asks.

“One o’clock,” Blomdahl says. He smiles. “We get to sleep in a little before we head to Toronto and kick their ass.”

I head to the bar to ask for a glass of water and a Coke. While I’m waiting, someone bumps my arm.

“Shoot, sorry.” A forty-something guy offers an embarrassed smile. “Lost my balance for a second.”

“It’s okay.” I look down and notice that his dress shoes are covered in snow. “Didn’t pack snowboots?”

He shakes his head. “My buddy at the office told me it doesn’t snow in Montreal in the beginning of April and that I wouldn’t have to pack any winter wear.”

“Really?” I can’t help but laugh.

“I now realize he was fucking with me.” He chuckles.

“You know, a quick glance at the weather would have set you straight,” I say.

He flashes a toothy grin. “Would you believe that I was too stupid to do that? I’m Bobby, by the way.”

“Madeline.”

He runs his gaze down my outfit. “I like the all-black look. Very sophisticated.”

His eyes linger on my body. I blush, wondering if he’s flirting with me.

“I just wear black because it’s easy,” I say. “And because it hides stains and wrinkles well.”

He smiles at me. “A woman after my own heart.”

Okay yeah, it kind of feels like he’s flirting.

“I saw you’re at the table with the Bashers. You someone’s girlfriend?”

I shake my head, a little annoyed he’d assume that’s why I’m with them. “I work for the team.”

His salesman smirk doesn’t budge. “That’s pretty cool.”

I offer a polite smile, not wanting to lead him on. Ryker and I aren’t official, but it feels weird to flirt with another guy. When we talked about our friends-with-benefits setup, I didn’t think to ask how he felt about flirting…or hooking up with other people. I’m not interested in doing either.

The bartender drops off my Coke and water. I thank him and grab the glasses.

Before I can say anything, Bobby reaches over and gently swipes my hair back. “You had a snowflake in your hair.”

“Oh. Thanks.”

He rests his hand on my forearm, which is on the bartop. I let out an awkward laugh. How can I politely exit this conversation without upsetting him? He’s a nice enough guy, but I don’t want to be rude and tell him that I’m outright not interested. He might get mad.

Before I can say or do anything, I hear heavy footsteps behind me. A second later, I smell Ryker’s spicy cologne as he steps next to me.

He aims a lethal glare at Bobby.

Bobby’s smile fades, and his eyes widen. “Oh hey, Ryker.”

Ryker doesn’t say anything. He just stares at the guy. Then he plants his massive hand on top of Bobby’s and moves it off of me, setting it on the bartop with a thud.

Bobby shakes out his hand, wincing slightly like he’s in pain.

I look at Ryker, stunned by the move he pulled…and intrigued. I really didn’t like Bobby touching me. I guess Ryker didn’t either.

“Um, do you two know each other?” I ask.

Ryker’s sharp gaze doesn’t budge as he nods. “Bobby’s a sports reporter. He follows the team.”

“Oh…” I look between them, sensing the tension in the air between them. Bobby pulls at the collar of his shirt.

“I didn’t know you guys would be here. I was just getting a drink,” Bobby says.

“And chatting up our skating coach?” Ryker says, his tone on the edge of a bite.

“Nah, man. I just saw a pretty girl at the bar and struck up a conversation.”

I don’t miss the way Ryker’s gaze sharpens at what Bobby’s just said. He looks…wait, is he jealous?

Well. This just got very interesting