Page 43 of No Rhyme or Roughing (The Golden Guardians Hockey Hearts #1)
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
SYDNEY
I still couldn’t believe we’d pulled it off.
Sitting on my bed, I replayed the first video we’d made.
Ryder had looked so unsure of himself at first, but as the dance went on, he grew into it.
Brave in a way I wasn’t sure he even realized.
Skating out in front of his entire team for a social media post had taken a kind of strength he didn’t give himself credit for.
And it worked.
“You’ve got that smile again,” Ryder said, leaning down to press a soft kiss to my lips. When he pulled away too quickly, I groaned in protest, and he grinned. “Just wanted a taste. What are you watching?” He flopped down beside me .
I hit play without answering.
“Oh, no. Not this,” he groaned, throwing himself back against the pillows and covering his eyes. “Of the three, that’s the worst one.”
“It’s my favorite,” I said, smiling. It was a glimpse of the real Ryder Cassidy—solemn, occasionally grumpy, but always willing to do whatever it took for his team and his brothers on the bench beside him.
He slid an arm around my waist, and I set my phone down, leaning back against him. “Are you scared, Ry?”
“Of us?” His minty breath brushed my cheek. “No. I think I used to be—scared of you, that is. I didn’t want to get hurt again. That sucked. But then, I realized I loved you more than I feared you.”
My body’s first instinct at the word love was still to tense, to retreat. It was something I’d have to work on, something that would take time.
“I actually meant scared because now you have to dance at practically every home game,” I teased. “Are you worried that’s all the fans want from you?”
He laughed, the sound rumbling through me. “No. I guess I’ll just have to give the fans what they want.”
I turned to face him, tucking my legs beneath me. “You like it, don’t you? Dancing.”
He shrugged, and I let it go. He’d figure it out in his own time.
In a few weeks, I’d move into my sister’s spare room in San Jose until I found my own place. Just an hour from Ryder—not far in California driving. We could make this work. For the first time, I wanted to.
I’d walked away from every man I’d ever been with, never letting myself hurt or feel disappointed. But now, I’d opened myself to the possibility of pain, to the risk of being vulnerable.
Because I wanted him.
A knock interrupted my thoughts, barely a warning before Teddy barged in, one hand slapped over his eyes. “You two better be decent, or I’m going to have to bleach my brain.”
I slid off the bed, smirking. “Honestly, that might be an improvement.”
He dropped his hand to glare at me. “If you’re done being a smartass, the team’s here for that meeting your boy toy called.”
“You did not just call me a smartass.” I followed him out of the room, taking a swing at his arm.
He shrugged, unbothered. “Was I wrong?”
“You’re the smartass.”
“Wow. Killer comeback.” He turned to me, one brow raised, a smug grin plastered on his face. “Do you kiss your boyfriend with that mouth?”
“No, I kiss your best friend with it.”
His grin faltered. “Low blow.”
“And I?—”
“No!” Teddy clapped his hands over his ears, a look of mock horror on his face. “Do not twist those words.”
I sauntered past him, heading for the stairs, and threw over my shoulder, “I win.”
Downstairs, the team had gathered in the living room. A few guys clustered near the coffee table, where Guardian was trying to swipe food from the platter I assumed Rowan had put together. He’d insisted they weren’t good hosts without snacks.
Ryder came running down the stairs behind me and disappeared into the kitchen. Moments later, he reappeared with an armful of beers, handing them out to the team.
“Is our captain trying to get us drunk?” Jules grinned, taking one with a raised eyebrow.
Ryder shot him a blank look. “How else will I convince you to love me, Jules?”
Laughter rippled through the group, but Teddy wasn’t having it. He stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Ryder’s shoulder, looking him dead in the eye. “The only person allowed to love you like that is my sister. Got it?”
I rolled my eyes so hard it nearly hurt.
Teddy had been throwing digs like this all day.
Once I’d convinced him I was, in fact, in love with Ryder, he’d shifted all his protective energy into worrying about Ryder hurting me.
Threatening him, cracking jokes at his expense—none of it felt like the usual Teddy.
Something was off, and I couldn’t figure out what had gotten into him lately.
Most of the guys found spots on the floor, waiting for Ryder to explain why he’d called them this morning and insisted they all show up. As captain, he had that right, but it still left a lot of unanswered questions.
I hung back by the kitchen door, leaning against the frame next to Rowan.
Once everyone settled and their attention was focused on him, Ryder started pacing in front of the group. I could see the nerves—his eyes flicked toward me every few steps. I gave him a subtle nod of encouragement, offering him a silent promise of support.
He stopped pacing and rubbed the back of his neck, clearly gathering his thoughts. “Here’s the thing...” he began, exhaling sharply. A smile slowly crept across his face, a mix of relief and pride.
“We saved the team.”