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"Right," I continue. "So, the rink. It was my escape, my proving ground. Every scraped knee, every bruised ego—it all happened there."
"Made you who you are," she observes, and I can see somehow, she gets it, understands the isolation that shaped me, the cold that seeped into my bones and never quite left.
"Yeah," I whisper, "it did."
Her hand finds mine, a small but significant touch.
I push off the couch, muscles protesting from staying still too long. "I should get going," I say, voice rougher than I intend.
"Let me walk you out," Jayden offers, her eyes searching mine for something I'm not sure I can name.
We shuffle through the small living room that's been witness to more honesty tonight than I've shown anyone in years. Out the door and down the hall, it’s an intimate thing, walking side by side with her, close enough for our arms to brush with each step.
"Thanks for listening," I say.
"Always," she replies, and there's a promise in that single word that tugs at places in my chest I keep locked up tight.
The night is cool as we reach my Jeep parked under a streetlamp.
Jayden turns to face me, her hands sliding into the pockets of her jeans. She's looking up at me now, biting her lip in a way that sends a jolt straight to my cock.
"Ryder," she starts, hesitating just a beat. "Tonight was... it was really nice."
"Nice" doesn't begin to cover it. It was revealing, terrifying, but yeah, it was also the best kind of nice. Feeling bold, or maybe just reckless, I reach out and tuck a fiery strand of hair behind her ear. Her skin is soft, warm, and I linger longer than necessary.
"Jayden," I echo her. I want to say more, to tell her that she's chipped away at something inside me, that she's got me feeling things I swore I'd never feel again. However, words are traitors, and they fail me now.
Then she's surging up on her tiptoes, and her lips are pressing against mine, hesitant at first, like she's testing the waters. When I don't pull back—when I can't because this is what I've been craving also—her kiss deepens, and it's all heat and need and a million unspoken things passing between us.
My hands find her waist, pulling her closer, grounding her to me as if she's my anchor. Her fingers curl into the fabric of my jacket, and I can feel the press of her body, the rapid beat of her heart syncing with mine.
It's a kiss born of whispers shared on a couch, of stories exchanged and souls being united. And when we finally break apart, gasping for air, I can't help the half-grin that breaks across my face.
Chapter 7
Jayden
It’s fascinating to watch professional hockey practice. This is a first for me, making it hard to keep still in my seat and just observe. There’s hardly anyone in the stands, so I almost feel like I have it all to myself.
Except there is one guy who has my full attention. Ryder. He skates effortlessly across the rink like he’s a force of nature as his powerful frame glides along the ice. The Charleston Renegades are in full practice mode, and it's almost hypnotic to see them work together like a well-oiled machine.
"Hey, Jayden," Ryder calls out, panting slightly as he skates over to the plexi glass separating us. "Thanks for coming."
"Of course," I reply, my breath fogging up the glass as I lean in closer. "I wouldn't miss it."
Ryder cracks a small smile, and I grin back.
"Listen, we have a home game next week," he says, wiping sweat from his brow. "You should come. We could use all the support we can get."
"Absolutely," I agree without a second thought on possible homework or work schedule conflicts. "I'll be there." I’ll make it happen.
***
The energy in the stadium is wild as the Renegades secure their win. My heart races, adrenaline pumping through my veins as I cheer along with the crowd. When the game ends, I make my way to the parking lot to meet Ryder like he asked me to at his Jeep.
"Great game!" I exclaim as he opens the door for me, and I climb into the passenger seat.
"Thanks," he replies, his cheeks flushed from the exertion. "Couldn't have done it without you."
