Page 44 of From Ice to Home (The Heart of a Ranger #1)

Charlotte’s face lights up. “Oh, I’m holding you to that.

You have no idea how nice it is to finally have another wife in the mix.

The team’s social scene is…well, a mess.

” She gestures toward Megan, who’s now recording another video with Declan in the background.

“A lot of in and out. It makes it hard to make real friends.”

Charlotte pulls out her phone and hands it to Hannah who takes it with a small frown forming between her eyes.

“Give me your number,” Charlotte says with a smile. “We always have special jackets made for the playoffs, and we’re going to need to get you one pronto. The final game is around the corner so we’ll have to get moving.”

Hannah has a genuine smile on her face as she adds her number to Charlotte’s phone. “That is so thoughtful, thank you.”

“Great,” Charlotte says, beaming. “I’ll loop you in on everything, so expect an invite to the group chat. Our little WAG group isn’t nearly as established as the others, but that’s because we have a bunch of boys on the team who refuse to grow up.”

Charlotte says it with a smile on her face, but I don’t miss the serious undertone.

“Oh come on,” EJ says, taking a sip of his soda. “Have you seen us on the ice? We’re men. Not boys.”

“Says the one who brings his sister to the games,” Charlotte shoots back smoothly, a teasing lilt in her voice. “The ’S’ in WAGS is not for sisters, EJ. Get yourself a girl.”

EJ huffs, clearly taken aback. “Yeah, well maybe it should be for ‘sisters’. They last a lot longer than a girlfriend. They’re permanent.”

“Exactly my point,” Charlotte says with a laugh.

Her attention shifts to me and Hannah, the amusement in her expression shifting to hint at something more serious. She studies us for a beat, her gaze flicking between the two of us like she’s trying to piece something together.

“I’m not going to lie,” she admits, her voice softer now. “When I first heard about your Vegas wedding, I thought—“ she hesitates for half a second, weighing her words before continuing, “—you might have been caught by a bunny, Lucas. But seeing you two together, it’s clear that you’re in love.”

There’s an endearing smile on Charlotte’s face as she leans into Mitch, the both of them looking at us with approval.

“Thanks for saying that,” Hannah says. Then, turning to EJ, she adds with a small smirk, “And I won’t mind if you get yourself a wife, EJ, but please make sure Avah stays too. She’s my kind of people.”

Hannah looks over her shoulder to where Avah was a minute ago. Then as her gaze lands on something across the room, her entire posture stiffens beside me.

I follow her gaze and immediately know why.

A group of women just entered our VIP area. Women who are barely wearing anything, those who are here for one reason and one reason only. Some of the places we’ve used for our parties or dinners have been much better at keeping out uninvited visitors…but it’s clearly not the case tonight.

Megan leans toward Hannah, detaching herself from Declan for a second. “See what I told you?” Megan says, her eyes sparkling with something sharp and smug. “Just eager to grab their spot.”

Hannah tenses next to me, her entire body going rigid. Her fingers fumble slightly with her dress and I don’t like the way she’s trying to make herself seem smaller.

I draw her closer, my hand firm on her waist, urging her to look at me instead. “Sanders, are you alright?” I keep my voice low, steady. “Do you want some champagne? We still need to get you a drink.”

She exhales, just slightly before looking up at me with a smile on her face. A smile that’s too perfect.

“That would be great,” she says. “I just have to go to the restroom real quick.”

She’s gone before I can say anything else, and my side suddenly feels empty.

“What was that about?” I ask Megan, not bothering to hide my irritation. “Those women aren’t part of our party, Megan. Why would you tell Hannah anything different?” I ask, my tone firm and even.

“I’m only pointing out the facts,” Megan answers before stepping back into Declan’s arm.

She’s holding on to him with every available limb, staking her claim.

“She’s new to this world, and I just want her to know the ins and outs.

Am I wrong, Charlotte?” Megan asks, looking to Mitch’s fiance for back-up on the matter.

“The bunnies will always be around looking to grab a player, so the WAGS need to stick together.”

Charlotte’s expression tightens.

“That’s true,” she concedes, her voice cool. “But why would you go out of your way to point it out to Hannah? That’s something else entirely.” She tilts her head slightly. “Unlike you, she’s got nothing to worry about.”

Megan blinks, like she might’ve misheard. Then she laughs, but it’s not as sharp as before.

“Excuse me?” she asks, looking around our table.

Charlotte doesn’t flinch.

“You heard me,” she says, gently letting her left hand rest on the table, her diamond catching the light. “You’re standing here talking about ‘bunnies’ like you’re not doing the exact same thing—hanging onto a guy with a contract like it’s the only thing that matters.”

Mitch exhales sharply through his nose, gently resting his hand on Charlotte’s back. He doesn’t say anything. Neither does Declan. Neither does EJ.

Megan lets out a small scoff, shaking her head like Charlotte is being ridiculous.

“I’ve been with Declan for months,” she argues, leaning into him to prove her point. “It’s hardly the same thing.”

Charlotte arches a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

Megan’s lips press together before she tilts her chin, looking up at Declan with eyes wide and expecting. “Dec, do you think I’m a puck bunny?” she asks, her voice lilting and begging for reassurance.

Declan hesitates. Just for a second.

And that second says everything.

He schools his expression, forcing a chuckle as he looks at all of us.

“Nah,” he says, absentmindedly brushing a kiss against her temple. “You’re different. ”

Megan beams, satisfied. Clearly it’s enough for her, but Charlotte doesn’t look impressed. Megan forgets that we’ve all been around for Declan’s seasonal girls. Every year he introduces us to someone new, and after the playoffs I’m sure Megan will be taking her exit.

I glance toward the back of the restaurant, hoping to catch a glimpse of Hannah, but she’s still gone. My chest tightens slightly.

I don’t like that she walked off alone.

I don’t like that Megan upset her.

Pushing off the table, I turn to Charlotte. “I’m going to check on her,” I say, nodding at my teammates.

Charlotte’s expression softens. “Good idea.”

“A wife is hard work,” Mitch says, trying to lighten the mood but it’s not really hitting home right now. Charlotte gives him a soft smile, leaning into her fiance.

“Work I’ll gladly do, Cap,” I say. “Any day of the week.”

I need to find my wife.