Page 27 of No Rhyme or Roughing
I shook my head with a chuckle, already imagining his face when I took the ice during the first stoppage in play.
The three of us walked in step as we headed to the parking lot and made our way along the winding roads. The rain came down harder before finally easing as we pulled up to Teddy’s father’s house.
Calling it a house didn’t do it justice. The place was a castle—stone pillars, an expansive second-floor balcony, and immaculate turf lawns that probably cost a fortune. Rich people and their fake grass. I shook my head. Teddy’s dad never scrimped on anything.
Teddy’s parents had divorced in college, and I knew most of the story. His dad had an affair and got caught. Teddy had never quite forgiven him, but that didn’t stop him from enjoying the trust fund or palatial property.
We skipped the front door, heading around back to the pool area. The pool house was lit up, white lights lining the walkway to a waterfall that cascaded into a custom-built pool—ridiculous in a state with constant water shortages. Two hot tubs flanked the pool, steam wafting over their bubbling surfaces. Chlorine tinged the air, and the inviting hum of the hot tubs pulled us in.
Inside the pool house, we stripped off our wet clothes and changed into trunks before stepping outside. I sankinto the hot water with a sigh, letting the jets chase the cold from my body. This, right here, made the miserable hike worth it.
Teddy and Rowan groaned their own sighs of relief. If anyone was listening, they might think we were in the middle of an orgy. Honestly, it might’ve felt just as good.
“Why don’t you have one of these at your place, Ted?” Rowan asked. “Imagine coming home from practice to this every day.”
I smirked. “Teddy avoids anything he’d have to clean or take care of.”
Teddy splashed water in my direction. “I do not.”
“Sure,” I said, grinning.
We soaked in silence for a while, reveling in the warmth. But Rowan couldn’t keep his mouth shut for long.
“So, Sydney.”
“What about her?” Teddy growled. His little sister was the only thing he gottrulyserious about. Not possessive, just... protective.
“Relax, man. I’m just wondering if any of the guys have hit on her yet. You know how the team is.”
Teddy’s eyes flicked to me, but I averted my gaze, saying nothing.
He sat up straighter, his tone sharp. “If they do, they know I’ll?—”
The sliding door opened, cutting him off. An imposing figure stepped out, suit crisp and expression stern.
“Son?” His sigh was audible even over the rain. “It’s not an intruder, Carrina. Just my idiot son.”
Teddy grinned, seemingly unfazed. “Hi, Pops.”
“You know, I have a front door.”
Teddy shrugged. “The hot tub’s back here. Why walk through the entire house?”
His dad rubbed a hand over his face. “Fine. But you’re staying for dinner. Ryder, Rowan, you’re welcome too.”
“No can do, daddio.” Teddy leaned back, the picture of indifference. “We have a late practice.”
We absolutely did not.
“Boy,” his dad snapped. “You show up to enjoy my pool and hot tub, spend my money without hesitation, but you can’t even have a conversation with your own father? I swear, you and Sydney are going to send me to an early grave.”
“Don’t talk about Sydney,” Teddy said, voice low. He pushed to the edge of the hot tub, closer to his father. “Leave her name out of your mouth.”
His dad sighed, treating him like a petulant child. “I heard she’s in town. She won’t answer my calls. Your mother says she hasn’t seen her either. Do you know where she’s staying?”
“No. And if I did, I wouldn’t tell you. Leave her alone, Dad. I’m begging you. Haven’t you two done enough to her?”
The man stiffened, a flicker of something unspoken in his expression. “Have a good game tomorrow, Theodore.” He turned and disappeared back inside.
