Page 53 of Lucky Shot (Moonshot Hockey #1)

NICK

Training camp is in full swing. We’ve done medical reviews, on and off-ice testing, small group practices, social media promotional interviews, as well as talking to the media.

The rookies just finished with their practice and our veteran group is taking the ice to warm up before we start.

We have a full house: photographers, reporters, front office staff, and even some fans.

“Hey. How was the convention?” Travis asks as we circle around, shooting pucks and warming up.

“It was good. You should have seen how many people were there to see Ruby.” I smile at the memory.

“And?” he asks with so much anticipation vibrating through him it makes me chuckle.

“I told her how I felt and now it’s up to her.”

Travis waits like he’s hoping for more. Actually, his head looks like it’s going to explode.

“Is she coming back?” he asks finally.

“She said she wants to visit, yeah. And I’ll try to visit her too.”

“Oh.” A deep crease forms between his brows.

“Don’t look so happy for me.” My tone is dry, and another laugh slips free.

“I’m sorry. I am happy for you, but…I miss her too. I was hoping you’d convinced her to pack her shit and come back for good.”

“I know, buddy.” I pat him on the shoulder. “But she has stuff going on too. They’re sending her on a book tour and her sister’s about to have a baby. And you know what it’s like for us. Even if she were here, I’ll be gone half the time.”

He bobs his head like he agrees. “Maybe I should text her some pics of you in the locker room later. You’re looking great, man.”

“No,” I say immediately.

“But—”

“No.”

He grins. “I already sent her all the photos I had of you in my phone, including some cute ones of the two of you.”

I should be touched, I suppose. “Aidan’s at his mom’s tonight. Do you want to grab a drink after practice?”

“And brainstorm wild, extravagant, over-the-top gestures to convince her Moonshot is the best place in the universe and you’re the only man she wants to sleep with for the rest of her life?”

I open my mouth to say no, but what the hell. I’m already planning to do everything I can to keep showing Ruby how much I want this to work. Maybe Trav will have a good idea. Probably not, but maybe. “Sure.”

He pumps a fist in the air.

“But I get full veto power,” I warn him.

“Let’s circle up,” Coach Lenshaw calls as he steps out onto the ice with the rest of the coaches.

Trav and I fall into a line with the rest of the group.

It’s his third season at Moonshot, same as mine, so I already have a good feel for his coaching style.

He’s not big on small talk or pumping us up, but he’s direct and honest, and when he tells us we’re doing something good or bad I always know I can take it at face value.

“We’re going to split up today and scrimmage. All out, don’t hold back. I’ll be switching up lines and groupings to see where we might make some adjustments. Coach Marigold has the groupings.”

He steps back and Coach M reads off the teams by line.

Once I’ve heard my name, I head over to the bench to grab my mouthguard.

I’m on the first line with D-Low and Travis.

We were the starting first line last year with the most scoring and shots on goal.

I’m sure Coach will swap in and out some other guys to see if he can make the other lines stronger, but there’s magic in playing with these two and I’m hopeful we can keep doing it.

Penn is on the bench, adjusting his gear and preparing to get in the net.

“How’s the knee?” I ask him.

He flashes a cocky smirk as he pulls his mask in place. “Fucking fantastic.”

All the anxiousness is gone after only a few minutes of play. The game takes my full concentration and I’m happy to find I’m able to give myself over to it. Going up against other teams might still be a mental battle, but I’ll take it as it comes.

The puck flies out of play and Coach blows the whistle to stop the game. I circle around, preparing to take the face-off, when a crash somewhere in the stands pulls me out of my focus.

I glance over, finding the source by the commotion. Several members of the media have stood to help the woman to her feet. Someone picks up a yellow backpack and holds it out to her. My already speeding heart kicks up another notch.

Ruby’s cheeks are pink as she composes herself. She smooths down the skirt of her dress and scans the ice, finding me and smiling hesitantly.

“Galaxy?” Coach calls my name as he stands at center ice with the puck.

“One sec, Coach.”

He looks puzzled and a little taken aback by my request, but I’m already skating toward her. She continues down the steps, looking more beautiful than I remember. Less than twenty-four hours since I left Denver but the relief I have seeing her is overwhelming.

We meet at the bottom of the stairs just off the ice. I take out my mouthguard and flip up my visor. I’m so happy to see her, I can’t seem to say anything.

“Hi!” She lifts a hand in an awkward wave.

“Long time no see.”

“Clingy, right?”

“Charming.” I flash her a smile. “I’d hug you but I’m sweaty.”

She lets out a soft laugh. “Sorry to interrupt, but I have good news and I couldn’t wait to tell you.”

“What’s up, baby?”

“I sold my book proposal!” She raises both arms out to her sides and lifts her shoulders. “My meeting last night, the one that couldn’t wait, was with the editor who bought it. She bought three books actually. I’m under contract for the next two years of my life.”

“That’s fantastic news. Congratulations!”

“Thank you.”

My gaze shifts to the people on the ice and in the stands all watching us.

“I’m not complaining, Red, but is there a reason you came all this way to tell me that instead of picking up the phone?” I ask, grinning at her.

“Well, I had planned to wait until practice was over.” She waves at the team and coaches. She raises her voice, “So sorry.”

“It’s fine. They can wait.” Coach is surely going to have a talk with me later about distractions at practice, but I don’t care.

She tucks her hair behind one ear and looks at her feet before glancing back up at me.

“Okay, here’s the thing. I’m not sure I can write books anymore without the sound of hockey in the background. It also helps to have inspiration from my extremely hot and sexy boyfriend.”

“Did you just call me your boyfriend, Red?”

Her face scrunches up as she aims a timid smile at me. “Yes?”

“I love it. And I’m happy to be your inspiration any time.”

“Good because I don’t need time to think about what I want. It’s you. I want you and I don’t care how much schedule juggling it takes. I’m all in.”

“Me too.”

Her smile is back and filled with sass. “Also, I was thinking…Since I’m going to be writing nonstop and Hotel Fourteen is uninhabitable, maybe I could stay at Chalet Galaxy. You know, if it’s available.”

My smile spreads as wide as it’s ever been. “For how long?”

“Three books, inevitable writer’s block…It could take a while.” She smiles back, mirroring my happiness. “I haven’t worked out the details yet. I want to visit my family as much as I can and be there when Olivia has the baby. Then there’s the tour coming up and…I want to stay indefinitely.”

I pull her into my arms and kiss her. I’m vaguely aware of some chatter and laughter, then I distinctly hear Travis let out a whoop of excitement, followed by the rest of the guys tapping their sticks on the ice.

“Is that a yes?” she asks when I set her back on her feet.

“It’s a yes. Stay as long as you want. Stay forever.”

She squeals and presses her mouth to mine.

“Galaxy!” Coach yells. I can’t find it in me to feel bad, even as I turn to face him.

“Yeah, Coach?”

“Care to join us or are you taking the day off?”

“Sorry, Coach.”

“Gotta go,” I tell Ruby. I toss a wink at her before I finally take the ice. My teammates pat me on the back as I make my way to center ice.

Trav falls in beside me. “She stole my thunder. How am I going to top that?”

Laughing, I punch him in the shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll come up with something.”