Page 56 of Desperate Pucker (Denver Bashers #6)

Maddy

When I wake up, it’s still dark.

Ryker’s arms are wrapped around me, like they always are when we fall asleep together.

I smile to myself, a warm, fizzy feeling coursing through my body.

I just had the filthiest, hottest sex of my life with my boyfriend. Everything feels different, better.

Tingles scatter through my chest and tummy. Something about this—something about us—feels different now.

That was more than just sex. It felt a lot like making love.

My heart skids in my chest. Could I really be in love with Ryker? We’ve only been officially a couple for a few weeks. That’s way too soon.

I push the thought aside, feeling silly. I’m probably just riding the high of fantastic sex.

Ryker stirs. He mutters something I can’t understand. Slowly, I turn around so I’m facing him. I take in the peaceful look on his sleeping face.

“You’re so pretty, Maddy,” he whispers in a sleepy murmur.

My heart leaps in my chest. He’s talking in his sleep to me. He thinks of me even when his brain is resting.

He stirs again, pulling me closer to him. His soft lips land on my forehead.

“I love you,” he rasps.

Did he just say that he loves me?

I go still. His breathing is steady and even. He’s still asleep.

My tummy is doing somersaults and my heart is fluttering like crazy. I’m grinning so hard, my entire face aches.

But then my brain catches up. He’s asleep. He could be having a dream and responding to whatever’s happening in it. He doesn’t actually mean it.

A pang of disappointment lands at the center of my chest. I’m being so silly. I can’t get excited about random things Ryker says when he’s not even conscious.

But as I close my eyes and try to fall back to sleep, I can’t deny the hope that surges through my entire body, wishing and hoping that he loves me.

I watch from the stands as the Bashers play the Grizzlies. It’s game four of the playoffs, and the Bashers have two wins against Boston. Boston has beaten Denver twice so far too.

The game is in Boston tonight, and both teams have been playing rough. They’re both desperate to break this playoff tie.

It’s the start of the second period, and Boston’s up two to one.

My gaze is glued to Ryker as he flies across the ice.

“Damn, he’s fast,” Dakota says.

“All the guys are moving like lightning,” Bella says. “You’ve whipped them into shape, Madeline.”

I smile. “It’s cool to see all our work paying off.”

“Gavin’s been raving about you,” Abby says. “He said he’s never seen the guys this energized.”

“You should be so proud of yourself, Madeline,” Dakota says.

A warm feeling settles inside of me as I look at them.

“I am,” I say softly. “When I crashed out after the Winter Olympics, I had no idea what I would do with my life. I’d spent so long focusing on being the best figure skater I could be, and when I couldn’t compete anymore, I was so lost. But now I feel like I have a purpose as a skating coach. And it makes me so happy.”

I look out at the ice, in awe of how well the guys are playing.

“You helped the team get here, Maddy,” Bella says. Abby and Dakota nod.

That warm feeling inside of me deepens. After how broken I felt over the past two years, I can’t believe I’m here.

“Thanks, you guys. That means a lot,” I say.

We focus back on the game. Ryker checks a Boston player and steals the puck from him.

“Look at your boyfriend go. He’s on fire,” Bella says.

I watch him weave around a Boston defenseman on the way to their net.

“How cool would it be if he went for a slapshot?” Dakota says excitedly.

A Boston player cuts across the ice, aiming his shoulder at Ryker’s chest to check him.

Right as he makes contact, his leg hits Ryker’s bad knee. Ryker screams, then falls onto the ice. His stick and gloves go flying

My blood runs cold, and I lose all the breath in my lungs.

“Oh no…” Dakota says.

“Shit,” Bella mutters.

Abby gasps and covers her mouth with both hands.

The ice is chaos. A bunch of Denver players are fighting with the Boston players. Referees and linesmen are struggling to pull them all apart.

But my focus is on Ryker lying on the ice, cradling his knee with both hands, his face twisted in pain.

My stomach curdles. No. This can’t be happening.

I know how tough Ryker is. He doesn’t express when he’s in pain unless it’s really, really bad…

Two trainers from the Bashers bench rush over to him. I can’t hear what they’re saying because I’m so far away, but I can tell it’s not good.

He’s hurt, and it looks bad.

My stomach feels like it’s collapsing in on itself. I feel like I’m gonna be sick.

“He’s gonna be okay, Madeline,” Dakota says. “Look, he’s able to skate off the ice. That’s a good sign.”

I watch as Sam and Camden stand on either side of Ryker, helping him off the ice and into the tunnel.

His face is pale, and he’s still grimacing.

Dakota squeezes my hand. “It’ll be okay,” she repeats. “Sophie’s going to take good care of him.”

I have no doubt Sophie will do everything she can for him. But that’s his bad knee. And that was a hard hit he took.

If his injury is bad, he won’t be able to play in the playoffs anymore.

I quiet the ugly thoughts in my brain. I shouldn’t be thinking like that right now. I need to be positive. I need to be supportive.

I stand up from my seat.

“Where are you going?” Dakota asks.

“I need to be with Ryker.”