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“Dayumm,” purrs Addie.
“Addison,” growls Aiden making her laugh.
“I’m sorry, but that was hawt.” She waves her hand in front of her face, ignoring Aiden. I’d have to agree. I thought naked Ryker was sexy, but hello Ryker in a uniform.
“Woman, I’m five seconds from throwing you over my shoulder and reminding you who you belong to.” My brows spike, surprised by his claim of her. Dante’s words slam back into my mind and I shake them out, not wanting it to spoil my mood. Addison playfully slaps him on his chest and rolls her eyes.
Her lack of response makes me wonder if I overreacted with Dante. Maybe he wasn’t claiming me, rather telling me he wanted us to work out, just in the wrong words. But I had never heard him be so aggressive.
I put my jacket on. It doesn’t matter; I tell myself. I’ll deal with it when I’m home. Right now, it’s time to find my quarterback.
A cold cement wall holds me up in an empty hallway underneath the stadium. The three of us wait for Ryker. He comes out of the press release, dressed in a gray blazer with a blue tie and dark denim jeans. His eyes flare when they meet mine and I can’t stop myself from running and jumping in his arms. He hungrily kisses me, the high from his win vibrating through his body. The sound of cameras clicking doesn’t even stop us. It’s not until he breaks the kiss that I notice the crowd we’ve attracted. Where did all these people come from? Heat washes over me and I dig my face into his neck.
He places my feet on the ground and whispers in my ear, “Let’s go.”
Yes, please.
Grabbing my hand, he leads me through the reporters throwing questions out wondering who I am again. I glance back to see Aiden and Addie following. Addie fans her face, I’m assuming about the kiss. When I laugh, Aiden’s attention darts to her, and she plays it off and winks at him.
The city outside Ryker’s living room twinkles likes stars through the window. My rattled nerves are finally starting to settle from the last few hours. Aiden and Addison left a half-hour ago, and I need this time to wind down.
My legs are tucked under a blanket and my head rests on Ryker’s shoulder as we stare out in a comfortable silence. “Is it a rush for you?” I whisper, my thoughts taking me back to the game.
“It used to be.” He twists his body and pulls my legs across his. The warmth of his hand on my thigh. “But it was tonight.”
“What was different about tonight?”
“You were there.”
I inwardly smile. It’s the same feeling I had when Ryker was watching me feed the lemon sharks. It’s something I do every day with no thought. But when Ryker was there, it made me remember how dangerous it is, made me feel invincible.
“Thank you for inviting me.”
This week has fueled my desire to move to the States. My thoughts are as fast-paced as the city, seeing myself build my future here. The one question that stops me in my tracks is could I do it all by myself? Taking Ryker out of the picture because I don’t expect him to wait for me. It could be years. But I want this. I want this freedom.
“And thank you for letting me look at you in that sexy uniform.”
Chapter Nineteen
Ryker
“Are you sad your team isn’t in the playoffs?”
The one scenario that would kick us out of the wild card game, happened. The other team won, beating us out of the playoffs.
I should be fucking furious. But I can’t muster up the feelings when I know the only reason I met Aspen is because of my suspension. And now I have her all to myself this week with no interruption.
But hell if I’ll admit that. To anyone. “Yeah, it sucks. You give everything you’ve got for sixteen weeks, physical and mental exhaustion. It all makes it worth it being at the top.” This is the first time in four years, I’m not.
“This probably wasn’t a good time for me to be here.”
The sound of regret in her voice pisses me off more than not making the playoffs. I grab her hand from her lap and place it on my leg. “You being here wasn’t the reason. I didn’t lose.” My replacement lost. All three games. But that’s on me. “Having you watch me play, I had fun showing off.”
Her laugh fills the car. “You’re definitely good at that.” Her eyes shift to the side of the highway. “Where are we going, again?”
“A small town in Upstate, New York. You’ll love it.”
She’s so fascinated with the snow, what better way to enjoy it than renting a cabin in the mountains? When I found the property, it was perfect. And after the city’s disappointment with our team, it’s best to leave town for a couple days to let them simmer down.
