Page 14 of Pucked Into Position

Brenda guides me to a clear space near the back wall. While I’m not really a fan of her so far, I am grateful for her at the moment. I expect her to leave, but she leans back against the wall beside me, watching Ryan with a predatory eagerness.

I could never work in marketing. I turn my attention back to the chaos between me and Ryan. I can’t see him over everything going on.

My heart thrums in time with the camera’s flashing, wild and out of control. I’m still mad, but I also can’t help but be drawn to him.

The crowd of reporters parts just enough for me to get a glimpse of the broody hockey player I’ve started to think of as mine.

Not mine. I remind myself.

He’s leaning with his elbows planted against the table, nodding as someone asks a question. I have no idea how he can hear her over everyone talking at once. I can barely form a single coherent thought with all the noise, but I guess by now he’s used to this.

His mouth moves in response, but I don’t catch what he’s saying since my eyes are locked on his lips, thinking about where they were last night.

I squirm as heat builds in my core.

“I know, it’s insane here, isn’t it?” Brenda asks, leaning over so I can hear her.

“Oh, um…yeah,” I reply, shifting uncomfortably, eyes still on Ryan.

As he finishes, he looks up and his eyes lock onto mine. I watch as his shoulders seem to visibly relax and throughout the rest of the interview he’s softer around the edges, “less stand-offish” as Brenda would put it.

Finally, after what seems like hours, the coach comes in and starts to shoo the reporters out, grumbling about how his players need food and sleep if they want to have more interviews like this. There’s a few audible groans, but the crowd starts to disperse.

“One last question, Ryan,” a female reporter pipes up.

Everyone pauses. He nods at her to go ahead. “What made you play so hard in the second half today? I’m sure we all noticed how intense you were.”

He looks at me as he contemplates answering, and time seems to freeze. I’m trapped in his eyes, the world melting away like it did during our kiss last night.

“My girlfriend,” he finally answers, looking back at the reporter. “She’s my good luck charm.”

The reporters go crazy, and I quickly pull up the hood on my jacket, praying no one recognizes me. I hear Brenda giggle, and I glance over at her, panicked. Is she really about to reveal me? She shakes her head and gestures for me to follow her out.

The team waves as they file out of the room through a door in the back, and I quickly follow Brenda back out into the hall.

“I considered telling them you’re Ryan’s girlfriend, but you just got here, and Ryan said you’re not used to the spotlight,” she says conspiratorially, like we’re two girlfriends sharing a secret. “I might be pushy, but I’m not cruel.”

“Thank you,” I manage to choke out, keeping my back to the door as the reporters and paparazzi file out of the press room and back to the parking lot.

“Any who, see you later.” Brenda glances over my shoulder and gives me a little wave before turning to follow the reporters.

I turn around to find Ryan walking toward me.

“There she is.”

“Hi,” I say shyly, tucking my hair behind my ear and catching my fingers in a tangle of hair beneath my hood. Flustered, I try to untangle them, but get frustrated and let out a huff.

“Here.” Ryan reaches out, an amused smile on his face. “Let me.”

I want to pull away, but I’m frozen as he reaches over to help. I watch his face as he gently untangles my fingers, almost confused by the way this powerful, aggressive man is so careful with me compared to how he is on the ice. How can he be so strong yet so gentle?

“Done,” he says, lacing his fingers through mine as he lowers my hand.

“Thanks,” I mutter, blinking up at him.

“C’mon, let’s go home.” He smiles and leads me through the arena. I’m silent the whole way, in awe at everything Ryan’s become and how he treats me.

He has to feel the way I do. He can't have told Tucker the truth earlier. No one would act like this just for publicity…right?