Page 42 of Lucky Shot (Moonshot Hockey #1)

NICK

I should have known letting Ruby hang out with Everly was going to end in trouble. The two of them are at the bar and Everly is ordering another round of shots. Everly holds up one of the glasses, says something I can’t make out that has Ruby laughing, and then they clink their glasses together.

Jack slaps me on the chest. “I’d apologize for my wife, but we both know she does whatever the hell she wants no matter what I say or do.”

The night is winding down. There isn’t much of a crowd on a Monday night. Everly’s client, Hannah, took off not too long ago and I don’t think Ruby is going to last much longer.

“What are you going to do about that?” Jack asks me.

“What?”

“What?” he mocks back to me. “Your girl. Ruby. You said she’s leaving in a week.”

There’s no question but I know what he’s asking.

“I don’t know. I guess that’ll be it.”

“Come on, really? That’s your plan?”

I know it’s weak. It isn’t like I haven’t thought about it, but what am I supposed to do? “I don’t have a plan. She lives in Arizona, and I live here.”

“Have you talked to her about it?”

I shake my head in response.

“Maybe she’d be open to moving here.”

“I can’t ask her to do that. She has family and friends, a life there. And we’ve been…” I struggle for the right word to describe whatever it is we’re doing. “It’s only been a few weeks.”

“I’m ready to go home,” Everly says, appearing at Jack’s side and intertwining her fingers with his.

I find Ruby behind her.

“Yeah. Me too,” Jack tells her, then looks to me. We shift so we’re paired off and Ruby’s back at my side.

“I’m glad I came,” Jack says. “It was good to see you.”

“Yeah. It’s been too long. Tell the guys I said hey when you get back.”

“Will do. We’ll see you in October.” He holds out his hand and we shake, then he pulls me into a hug.

“Can’t wait,” I say when we pull apart.

Jack turns to Ruby. “Pleasure to meet you. I hope I’ll be seeing you again.”

He smiles at her, then turns his gaze to me and winks. Arrogant fucker.

“You too,” Ruby says to him.

Everly hugs Ruby, rocking side to side. “I’m going to text you when I’m in Arizona next month. Let’s grab a drink or dinner.”

“Definitely,” Ruby says.

Everly comes in to hug me next.

“Good to see you, Ev,” I say.

“Don’t fuck this up, Galaxy,” she says loud enough that it’s likely Ruby heard. Good ol’ Everly.

I chuckle but the expression on her face when she steps back tells me she isn’t joking.

Everly and Jack head out, leaving me and Ruby alone with the last of the people at the bar.

“Hi.” She wraps her arms around my neck.

“Have fun?” I slide a hand around her waist.

“Everly is a blast.”

“That she is.”

“I do have one problem.”

“What’s that?”

“I need a ride home.”

“I think I can help with that.” I expected as much, which is why I stayed sober.

She beams. “Hey, I have a hypothetical question for you.”

“O-kay.” One corner of my mouth lifts as she gives me a playful smirk. Damn I missed her this weekend. Even tonight, being near her but not touching her or catching every word she said.

“What would you say if I suggested we spend the next week hanging out every possible second?”

“I’d say, ‘Prepare to be sick of me, Red. I’m not letting you leave my sight for the next six days.’”

On the way back home, Ruby sings along to the radio. The windows in the truck are down and the night air is crisp and fragrant. I drive slowly, soaking it all in.

When I finally pull into the driveway and park, I kill the engine and roll up the windows. The radio keeps going. It’s some old nineties ballad and when Ruby belts out, “Is this love, or am I dreaming?” it accurately sums up the thoughts running through my head.

She grins at me as she unbuckles but keeps serenading me. There isn’t a whole lot of room, but she successfully maneuvers from the passenger seat to straddle me on the driver’s side.

“I love summertime,” she says.

“Yeah, me too.” My hands rest at her hips.

“Oh, I can finally give you your present.”

“Is this not it?” It feels like a damn good one to me.

“You were already getting that.” She reaches behind her neck and unclasps the necklace, then holds it up. The shamrock dangles in the moonlight. As she moves to put it on me, confusion mars my brow.

“I can’t take this. Your sister gave it to you.”

She ignores me, clasping it around my neck and then pressing her fingers to the charm. “It brought me the luck I needed. Now it’s yours.”

“I already feel pretty lucky, Red.”

“Then it’s something to remember me.”

There’s no way I’m ever going to forget her, but instead of saying that, I glide one hand to the back of her neck and pull her mouth to mine.

Her hair falls around my face, enveloping me in her coconut scent.

Ruby grinds over my dick and we both groan.

“Fuck, Red. I missed you.” I missed her and I missed this. I didn’t know it was possible for someone to work their way into my life so quickly. Days and nights are just better when she’s here.

“I missed you too.” Her hands rest on my chest, and she drags them down, lightly scraping her nails over my pecs and abs.

A knock at the window makes both of us jump. Through the foggy glass, my dad stands on the other side.

“Oh my god,” Ruby mutters as she tries to scramble out of my lap. Only all she manages to do is knee me in the balls.

I wince and a look of horror etches into her features at the scene playing out before her.

“I’m good,” I assure her through gritted teeth. I hit the button to roll down the window.

“Dad.” I clear my throat. “Uh, hey.”

“Son. Ruby.”

“Hi, Mike,” Ruby squeaks out.

“Nice night,” Dad says, looking out toward the road.

“Yeah,” I agree. Does he really want to talk about the weather right now?

“Might want to take it inside, kids. Unless you’re planning on giving the neighbors a show.”

I glance over at our nearest neighbor. A nice older woman lives there. She brings cookies and fudge over every year at Christmastime. All the lights are out so I doubt very much she’s awake. Still, it’s a fair point.

“Be right in,” I assure him.

“Good.” Dad nods. The corners of his mouth twitch but he keeps his smile contained. “Excuse me. I’m going to see if I can find my earplugs before I turn in.”

“Night,” I call after him, then roll the window back up.

Ruby bursts out laughing when we’re closed into the truck cab again. She collapses into me, burying her head in my chest. I join in and it’s several seconds before either of us stops. Ruby looks at me and we start in again. Despite it all, my chest is light and my face hurts from smiling.

“I can’t believe your dad just caught us making out. I kept waiting for him to send you to your room and threaten to call my parents.”

“Not his style.”

She chuckles again and then her expression goes serious. “Wait. Did your dad just go to find earplugs so he wouldn’t hear us having sex?”

“Yeah,” I cringe inwardly.

She covers her face with both hands. “Oh god. I’m never going to be able to face him again.”

I pry her fingers away. “You don’t need to be embarrassed. He’s thrilled. This is exactly what he wanted when you showed up.”

Ruby slowly lets me uncover her face. “I am a catch.”

She is. No denying that.

“Are you okay?” She glances down at my crotch. “I am so sorry.”

“I’ll survive.” I think. I hold back a groan as I shift again. The music finally cuts out, leaving the cab in silence. “Want to stay at my place tonight, Red?”