Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88463 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88463 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“So can I go?” Aiden asks, and I lift an eyebrow at my girl.
“Yeah. We’re going.”
Chapter Seventeen
Willow
Ryker was right. They shut Sport down for the team to celebrate Ryker’s retirement tonight. The place is packed full of anyone and everyone associated with the team, and the press was absolutely not invited.
I love that the guys can let loose a little bit and enjoy each other without the stress of wondering if something’s being recorded or will be reported on.
Mac and Aiden have their heads together. The two of them hit it off right away, and even I can admit that Mac’s way cooler than me.
My boy is drinking a soda, and Mac even joined him, ordering an iced tea and then winking at me, letting me know that he won’t let anything bad happen tonight, and it made me feel good.
I wish Gideon would get here already.
I check my phone, but there’s no message from him. It’s a surprise for Ryker that Gid’s coming tonight. He tried to make it for the press conference, but he got stuck at work longer than expected, and he’s determined to get here for this.
Just when I’m about to call him, I glance to the door and see Gideon stride inside, his serious gaze scanning the room. When he sees me, he grins and saunters my way.
“Hey, handsome.” I hug him close, and suddenly Aiden’s here, too, getting in on the Gideon action.
Gid raises an eyebrow at me in a silent question. Is this the same kid?
I just smile and then look around for Ryker, who’s laughing with his goalie and a coach. Before Ry can see us, I gesture for Gid to bend down so I can whisper in his ear.
“What’s up?” he asks.
“I need to tell you, in person, before everything else, that Ryker and I are . . . um . . . together.”
His eyes narrow on me. “Are you okay?”
“Never better.”
“And he’s okay?”
“Seems to be.”
He turns to Aiden. “How about you?”
“It’s gross, and fine, and I don’t think about it.”
“If he hurts you—”
“I already threatened him,” Aiden says with a shrug. “He’s been warned.”
Gid’s lips twitch up into a half grin. “As long as we understand each other. Where the fuck is he?”
I point to the other end of the bar just as Ry’s eyes scan down, looking for me, and when he sees Gideon, his eyes widen, and he hurries over, wraps his brother in a hug, and starts to laugh.
“You’re here!”
“Tried to get here for the announcement,” Gid says. “Sorry that I didn’t make it. I watched, though.”
“You’re here now,” Ry says just before Gideon punches him in the stomach. “What the fuck was that for?”
“For hitting on my sister,” Gideon says. “Don’t fuck it up. Now, I need a beer.”
Ry’s eyes shift to mine, and I shrug. “Surprise.”
Gideon is greeted the same way I was. With happy hugs and handshakes, and plenty of reminiscing.
My eyes find Ryker again. He’s not in a suit tonight. He’s in dark jeans and a blue button-down with the sleeves rolled halfway to his elbows, showing off the tattoos on that arm. The collar is unbuttoned, and when he swallows his beer, his throat works, making me squeeze my thighs together.
Literally everything the man does is a turn-on.
There are puck bunnies running around here. They flit around the room. Some are already attached to the single players, flirting outrageously.
There’s been one that hovers around Ry, watching him, wanting him.
I’m not jealous of her, because he only has eyes for me, but I keep my eye on her.
“How you doin’, baby?” Ryker asks as he slips his arm around my waist and leans down to kiss my temple.
“I’m great.” I smile up at him and sip my own soda. As long as I have my kid with me, I won’t drink alcohol. “It’s good to see everyone.”
He nods but suddenly looks so serious.
“What’s wrong?”
“You got Gid here.”
“I’m kind of surprised you didn’t invite him yourself. He’s your brother, Ry. He’s been around for as much of this as I have.”
“He’s been working a lot.”
I snort. “Whatever. He’s happy to be here. Oh, look, a puck bunny has taken a liking to him. Shocker.”
We glance over to see Gideon listening to something a woman is whispering in his ear. He doesn’t smile. Gideon doesn’t give his smiles away easily, unlike Ry, who smirks at the drop of a hat.
But he does widen his eyes just a smidge, and that makes me giggle.
“Wonder what she said.”
“We probably don’t want to know,” Ryker replies.
“That one over there has her eye on you,” I say, gesturing to the brunette with my chin.
Ry doesn’t even look her way. With his eyes on mine, he leans into me. “Who the fuck cares, baby?”
“Not me. Just wondering if she’s a problem.”