Page 33 of Lucky Shot (Moonshot Hockey #1)
NICK
“You’re in a hurry this morning,” Dad says as he sits at the table in the dining room, sipping his coffee and keeping one eye on the TV in the living room.
“Busy day.” I pour two to-go cups with coffee.
“Heading to the rink with Ruby?” He smirks in a way that makes me feel like a teen who doesn’t want to admit he has a crush. “You two have been spending a lot of time together.”
“Yeah.” It’s been almost two weeks since we started hooking up. Every day, we go to the rink She asks me whatever new questions she’s come up with and then spends the rest of the day writing while I try not to distract her too much.
“You’re welcome.”
I roll my eyes. I should thank him, but it’d only encourage him to do it again. Which let’s be honest, I’m sure he will. In fact, I’m probably giving him ammunition for what a good idea it was to bring her here.
“Aidan wanted to get in some practice time and she’s tagging along to finish up her book.”
“How’s that coming?” he asks, thankfully letting the inquisition on my time with Ruby drop.
“Good. She’s almost done. Today might be our last session together.”
“That’s too bad.”
Aidan’s footsteps sound above on the second floor.
“The whole point of her being here was to finish the book, so I’d say that’s a good thing.” I grab a banana for the drive and head to the bottom of the stairway to meet Aidan.
“Did you already eat?” I ask him, even though I saw evidence of his cereal bowl in the dishwasher. Actually, it might have been Dad eating the Froot Loops.
“Yep.” His dark hair falls into his eyes.
“You need a haircut.”
“Mom will take me this weekend.”
“Shit. Right. Her birthday.” Every year Aidan stays over on her birthday. It’s the only thing she ever asks for.
“We need to get her a present still,” Aidan reminds me.
“We’ll do it tonight.” I hold open the door and step out behind him. Ruby sits on the front porch. Her laptop rests across her thighs as she stares at it, a divot between her brows.
At the sound of the screen door, she glances up.
“Hey.” She beams as she closes her computer and stands. “Morning.”
“Morning,” I reply as my chest tightens. Maybe it’s because Dad and I were just talking about it, but the reminder that she’s leaving soon is hitting me. I went from wishing she’d leave to enjoying seeing her every morning.
To be honest, I’ve tried my hardest not to overthink the connection I feel to her. I knew it wouldn’t be a one and done kind of thing from the second I kissed her, but I don’t know how to navigate whatever it is we’re doing while knowing she’s only here a short time.
At the rink, the three of us get on the ice together. Ruby’s come a long way. She still manages to find creative ways to fall or nearly injure herself (and sometimes me) but when Aidan tries to teach her a backhand shot, she picks it up fast.
“Coming for my job yet,” I say as I circle around her.
“Maybe I should start teaching you mine. A backup option for you.” All sass and tease.
“I promise you that no one wants to read anything I write.”
“A hockey memoir, perhaps?”
“Not even that.”
“You can do anything you want, Galaxy. Don’t let the world crush your dreams.”
I come to a stop in front of her, spraying ice to the side like Travis had done to impress her. “I think I’ll stick to what I’m good at.”
Grinning, she closes the distance between us. I flick my gaze to Aidan, but he’s not paying us any attention. I wrap an arm around her and drop my lips to hers. Her mouth is warm and inviting. I pull back way before I want.
“A hockey Kama Sutra?” She arches a brow in question.
I’m still thinking about the feel and taste of her, so the words take a moment to register. When they do, I chuckle.
“It’s a good idea. If you’re not into it, maybe Travis wants to work with me on it.”
“The fuck he does.” He would absolutely be on board, which is why I’ll have to kill my best friend if she goes through with it.
She laughs as I tug her tighter to me.
“I meant as a work project only.” She drapes her arms around my shoulder. “You already know he isn’t my type.”
My jaw tightens as I hold her to me. Being jealous and protective isn’t my usual mode, but the thought of her hooking up with anyone else makes me want to set the world on fire.
A puck hits the goal post, the distinct clang echoing around us. I loosen my grip, and we break apart.
“I should check the time. I have a call with Molly at ten.”
“There are some empty conference rooms down the hall to the right, just past the locker room.”
“Thanks.”
“That’s it, huh? You have everything you need to make edits and finish the book?” I ask.
“I think so. All that’s left are rewrites.”
“You’re going to kill it.”
“I hope so.” She bites the corner of her lip and her expression shifts to one of worry.
I know how much it means to her and how hard she’s worked. I wish I could fill her with my confidence. There’s no doubt in my mind.
“You will.”
“Thanks for the hockey lessons.”
“Any time, Red.” She lingers, stealing a glance down the ice at Aidan.
I don’t look to see if he’s watching before tugging her back to me and kissing her the way I’ve wanted to all morning.
When I pull back, I’m already thinking about when I’ll see her again.
“What are you doing tomorrow?”
“Not sick of me yet?”
I don’t answer aloud, but fuck no. Not even close.
“Writing, most likely.”
“On a Saturday?” I ask like I’m not usually at the rink every single day, even most holidays.
“I have to finish this book. There is no time for weekends.”
“Well, if you need a break, the guys and I are going out on the lake tomorrow.”
Her eyes light up and I know I have her. She’s mentioned, a few times, that she’s wanted to swim when the lake warmed up. I should have taken her sooner.
“It might be a nice chance to take a break and rest before you dive into edits.”
“What time?”
“Be at the dock at nine.”
“We’ll see,” she says, but I’m not even sweating if she’ll show up.
She skates off the ice and steps carefully onto the rubber mat. She shoots me one more smile over her shoulder before she treks off with her backpack over her shoulder.
Once she’s out of sight, I pull out my phone from my pocket.
The Boys
Me
Taking the boat out tomorrow if anyone’s interested.
Trav
Hell yeah. Finally.
D-Low
I’m in.
Shep
Can I bring anything?
Me
Nah. I got it covered. Penn?
Penn
Sure. I don’t have anything else going on.
Trav
Wow, tamp back the excitement Penn.
Penn