Page 35 of Lucky Shot (Moonshot Hockey #1)

He laughs and tugs me to him. “Let’s take a swim.”

He dives in, and I, much more carefully, lower myself into the lake. I wrap myself around him and he treads water and kisses me until my lips hurt. I could make out with him forever.

When we climb back onto the boat, there are even more people on board. There’s a small dance party happening. I take Nick’s hand with the intention of dragging him in the middle of it, but I come up short when I spot Conrad.

He’s still lying on one of the benches by himself, but he’s pulled out a paperback. The image makes my book nerd heart smile until my brain catches up to the cover that has me freezing in my tracks.

I swivel around, nearly colliding into Nick’s hard chest.

“Woah.” He steadies me with a laugh. I think I smile up at him, but whatever he sees on my face has his expression instantly tensing.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, voice harsh but tender all at once.

“Nothing.”

I turn back around so I won’t have to look at him. He steps in front of me, blocking me from everyone else with his big body. “Ruby.”

Hesitantly, I look up at him. Tears well in my eyes and I fight to keep them at bay. Today has been amazing and I cannot believe I’m still letting that asshole get to me like this.

“Really,” I say. “I’m fine.”

“Don’t lie to me. You were laughing and smiling thirty seconds ago and now you look really upset.”

I force my mouth into a smile that does not convince him at all. He stares, unwavering, at me for an explanation.

“My ex.”

His brows furrow. “Your ex is here?”

I shake my head, then point.

Nick turns, looks around like he’s trying to make sense of my words. When his gaze drops to Conrad and the book in his hand, his body goes rigid.

“Your ex is Matthew Rose?”

I nod. God this is so embarrassing. A few of the guys shoot concerned glances in our direction. I do my best to look like everything is fine.

His jaw flexes and I’m transported back to the grumpy Nick version.

“It’s okay. Honest. That book is everywhere, but sometimes it catches me off guard.”

I’m not even sure he’s hearing me. He’s still glaring hard. I reach out and take his hand. He glances down at the contact and his shoulders relax slightly before he pulls me into him. He smells like sunscreen and sunshine, and I breathe him in as he cradles me against his chest.

I would be content to stay here the rest of the day, but Nick pulls back a moment later, drops a kiss to my forehead, and then stalks over to Conrad.

I hurry after him, but I’m no match for his long, angry steps. He snatches the book from his friend’s hands and tosses it into the lake in one swift motion. My mouth drops open in surprise.

“What the hell?” Conrad asks, sitting up and looking over the side of the boat to the water.

The song that was playing ends and the silence between tracks is just enough that everyone looks our way.

My body heats with embarrassment. I ignore their stares by peering over the side of the boat. I’m not usually a fan of destroying books, but I’m not ashamed to admit it brings me a great bit of joy to watch my ex’s book sink to the bottom.

“That book is trash. If you want to read that shit, do it somewhere else.”

Conrad opens his mouth to protest, but the look on Nick’s face stops him.

“Yeah. All right. You got it, Cap. Do you want to approve my playlists and podcasts next?” Conrad shakes his head, disbelief and confusion still etched into his features.

“It wasn’t that good anyway. Totally overwritten. Weak character development. Good concept though.” Danny shifts his sunglasses to the top of his head as he watches the scene unfold from the bench seat adjacent to Conrad. He has his arm around the brunette from earlier and a beer in one hand.

My stomach dips and tears prick the back of my eyes.

At Nick’s protectiveness, Conrad’s ruined book, and Danny’s review that I’m embarrassed to admit makes me feel better, and at freaking Matt for invading this perfect day.

I swallow the lump in my throat and hurry down to the lower deck before I cry in front of them.

Travis gives me a worried look from behind the bar where he’s mixing drinks.

I duck into the bathroom and shut the door, then rest my back against it.

“Ruby?” Nick’s voice comes from the other side not three seconds later. I knew it was too much to think he wouldn’t follow me.

“I’ll be right out,” I say, trying to sound calm and happy and completely unaffected.

“Open up, Red.”

I bite down on my bottom lip to keep it from trembling.

“Don’t think I won’t break down my own door.”

A small laugh slips out and I turn and open the door a crack.

“I’m fine,” I tell him. And I am. Or I want to be.

“Uh huh.” He places a palm on the door above my head and pushes his way in.

It’s a small room and he’s a big guy. There’s nowhere for me to go. I glance up into his eyes. The green is dark, and his brow is furrowed.

“You didn’t need to do that,” I say quietly.

“Of course I did. The guy is a prick and a total phony.”

“Yeah, but no one knows that.”

“You could tell them.”

The idea sends a rush of panic coursing through me. The media frenzy that would unfold is unfathomable.

Nick’s hands come up to rest on my upper arms, thumbs swiping slowly over my skin. “I don’t mean everyone, but at least the guys. They’ll believe you.”

I consider it for a moment then shake my head. “I don’t need anyone to know. It won’t change anything. The book is out there, and I just have to deal with it.”

“Not while I’m around, you don’t.”

“You can’t toss every copy you come across.” But I already know the image of him tossing Conrad’s book will be one I replay over and over again.

His lips twist into a smirk. “Watch me, Red.”