Page 13 of No Rhyme or Roughing
He looked worried for me, but there was somethingdeeper in his eyes, some other problem that had him avoiding his team. If I knew anything from Teddy, it was that hockey wasn’t just a game for these guys—it was a way of life.
I leaned forward in my seat. “Turn off the engine and come sit.”
We weren’t in a busy lane. In fact, it didn’t look like many people were out here this morning. To my surprise, he didn’t argue. The rumble of the boat stilled, leaving only the sound of water lapping at the sides and birds squawking overhead.
The closer we got to Alcatraz Island, the more gulls we’d see, so we needed to be careful not to get shit on. Ryder lowered himself onto the padded bench beside me.
I curled my legs under myself and turned to face him. “Secret for a secret.”
“What?”
I offered him a soft smile. “It’s simple, Ryder. I’m going to figure out what’s wrong with you one way or another. So, let’s play a game. I give you a secret, and you return the favor.” I didn’t give him a chance to say no. “I’ll go first. This is the first time in years I don’t have my next job lined up.”
“I’m sure you could?—”
“Nuh-uh.” I poked him in the chest. “No comments on secrets. Now, it’s your turn.”
A breath pushed past his lips, and his gaze drifted to the horizon. “I… Before I got the call from Mr. Mac a few years ago, I thought my hockey career had come to an end. And I was… relieved.”
“Why would you?—”
“No questions, Ms. Valentine. Them’s the rules.”
He was right, damn it. Why did I set that rule? I sighed. “I didn’t come here just to see my brother. I…” I closed my eyes. “Had nowhere else to go.”
Mom was off with her newest boyfriend, and even if she wasn’t, there was no way I’d go crawling back to her.
A hand came under my chin, tilting my face up, and I opened my eyes to find Ryder watching me. “You know he’s happy to have you here, right? I don’t think I’ve seen him this happy in a long time.”
“Teddy is the best.” Only the two of us fully understood how great my brother was. He was a caretaker, a lover. If you found yourself in his orbit, you were lucky. “Okay, your turn.”
He bit his lip for a moment. “Did you know Sullivan is our goalie coach?”
I hadn’t, but it made sense that Mr. Mac would give him a shot too. “Is that your secret?”
He shook his head. “My secret is that I hate him. He’s my twin brother, and I wish I didn’t have to see him every day.”
Both Cassidy twins had been a part of our family growing up, and now more than ever, I wanted to ask for more. Answers to my questions, to this giant secret burning between the brothers. Why weren’t they close anymore? What had driven them apart when their bond had seemed unbreakable? But I sensed his moment was over, so I merely reached for him.
His hand was rough as I took it between mine and squeezed. When I tried to pull away, he held on.
“Sex,” I blurted, my face heating.
A shock of laughter burst from him as I yanked my hand back. “What?”
“My client. A rock star. If anyone finds out, that next job I haven’t chosen could disappear.”
“I…” His entire body shook with laughter.
“It’s not funny.”
“Jameson Rhys, right?” He peeked sideways at me. “Oh, fuck. Little Sydy really has grown up.”
“I don’t know why I just told you that.” I smiled weakly. “I don’t really… Okay, so talking to people isn’t a particular talent of mine. But you’re… easy.”
“Thanks for the ringing endorsement.”
I nudged him with my foot. “I can see why they made you captain. There’s something… I don’t know… earnest about you. It makes me want to come to you with all my problems.”
