Chapter 18
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 p>
His eyes narrow on me. “Are you okay p>
“Never better p>
“And he’s okay p>
“Seems to be p>
He turns to Aiden. “How about you p>
“It’s gross, and fine, and I don’t think about it p>
“If he hurts you p>
“I already threatened him,” Aiden says with a shrug. “He’s been warned p>
Gid’s lips twitch up into a half grin. “As long as we understand each other. Where the fuck is he p>
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 p>
“Tried to get here for the announcement,” Gid says. “Sorry that I didn’t make it. I watched, though p>
“You’re here now,” Ry says just before Gideon punches him in the stomach. “What the fuck was that for p>
“For hitting on my sister,” Gideon says. “Don’t fuck it up. Now, I need a beer p>
Ry’s eyes shift to mine, and I shrug. “Surprise p>
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 p>
He nods but suddenly looks so serious.
“What’s wrong p>
“You got Gid here p>
“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 p>
“He’s been working a lot p>
I snort. “Whatever. He’s happy to be here. Oh, look, a puck bunny has taken a liking to him. Shocker p>
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 p>
“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 p>
“Not me. Just wondering if she’s a problem p>
“If she’s bothering you, I’ll have her escorted out. This party isn’t for her p>
Gripping his shirt in my fist, I pull him down so I can kiss him, and he sinks right into me, not giving two fucks who sees. His hands plunge into my hair, and he devours my mouth, right here in the middle of his party.
“Staking your claim?” he asks against my lips when he comes up for air.
“Just kissing my man p>
His eyes darken, and he’s about to say something, but we’re interrupted.
“Cap! Come tell these assholes that I’m right. We totally beat Denver at home three years ago, when.. p>
Ryker lifts an eyebrow, silently asking me if it’s okay if he leaves me here, and I nod.
“Go p>
Taking a moment, I glance around. Gideon’s no longer talking to the woman who was on his arm. He’s talking with a couple of Ry’s teammates.
Aiden and Mac are laughing at something on Mac’s phone.
Ryker has a group of guys around him listening raptly as he tells a story.
This is so fun. I’ve missed nights like this. We used to do this all the time in the beginning of Ry’s career, so I’m relieved that we’re here tonight. It feels like old times, back when things were simpler.
The bartender passes me another soda and gives me a smile before moving on to the next customer. I didn’t even ask for it, but he must have noticed that my glass was almost empty.
I realize, since I had two glasses before this, that I seriously need to use the restroom, so I set my drink next to Aiden.
“Hey, buddy, watch this for me, okay? I’m headed to the restroom p>
“By yourself?” he asks, and it sounds like he’s worried about me. Is this my kid?
“It’s right there.” I point to the hallway not even twenty feet away. “I’ll be right back p>
“If you’re not back in five minutes, I’m coming after you,” he says. “There’s a bunch of guys around who have been drinking p>
“She’s good,” Mac assures my nephew, his face not joking now. “No one will hurt her. We’re good people and she’s Cap’s girl. Nobody here would dare p>
She’s Cap’s girl.
Damn right I am.
With a reassuring pat on Aiden’s back, I walk to the restroom. Of freaking course the bitch who’s had her eye on Ry all night is in here.
Because I couldn’t have better timing.
Her eyes skim down my body as I walk into a stall to do my business. When I cross to the sink to wash my hands, she’s still here, but now she’s leaning against the sink, her arms crossed, waiting for me.
“He’s a good lay, right?” she asks. “Been there, done that p>
I don’t give her a reaction. Nothing about this surprises me. My man has been a chick magnet all his life. He’s gorgeous and charismatic, and I know that he was not celibate before he and I got together.
Without saying a word, I dry my hands. When I turn to walk away, this bitch gets in my way.
“I’m talking to you,” she says.
“I don’t have anything to say to you p>
“You think that just because you have his attention for now that you’re better than me p>
“I don’t have anything p>
“He’ll cast you off,” she spits at me. “He’ll fuck you sideways and then won’t give you the time of day p>
“I’m sorry that he hurt your feelings.” I cross my arms over my chest, and I don’t back down. Finally, she spins on her heel and marches away without another word.
Part of me feels bad for her. I understand how it feels to pine after Ryker James. But it’s not my fault that he doesn’t want her.
I exit the bathroom, but before I can leave the hallway, I’m cornered.
What in the hell is up with these people?
“Well, aren’t you a pretty one p>
Looking up into sinister green eyes, I feel my heart go still. The jealous woman I can handle.
A man well over six feet tall with muscles for days and evil in his eyes? This could get dicey.
“Excuse me p>
“Now, don’t be like that,” he says and drags his knuckles down my cheek, but I yank my head away from his touch. “I just wanted to get a closer look at the great Ryker James’s whore p>
Who the fuck is this guy?
“Move.” My voice is hard and leaves no room for argument, but he just smiles at me.
“You’re adorable when you’re angry. I bet you fuck good when you’re all worked up, too, don’t you p>
“Get away from her p>
At the sound of Aiden’s voice, this asshole simply turns his head and chuckles.
“And what are you going to do about it, kid p>
My sweet kiddo yanks this asshole off me and punches him in the jaw, sending him back against the opposite wall.
“Aiden p>
“I’ve got this, baby p>
Ryker and Gideon rush past me. The asshole has his fist cocked back to hit Aiden, but Ryker hits him first, and Mac’s there to pull Aiden back, out of the line of fire, while Ry and Gid proceed to beat the man senseless.
Holy shit.