Page 36 of No Rhyme or Roughing
Coach grunted but didn’t argue as he opened the door to reveal Christopher Manning, our usual blogger.
When the door opened a second time, letting in a female reporter with a local news badge, I looked past her into the hall.
Sydney stood there waiting.
The reporter approached as the door closed behind her, cutting off my view—the one I couldn’t stop looking for. “Ryder Cassidy, can we get an interview?”
I barely heard her, didn’t respond.
Instead, I yanked open the door.
Sydney wasn’t alone, though. Sam stood next to her, and suddenly I couldn’t breathe.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
SYDNEY
A reporter was trying to talk to Ryder, who stood in the open doorway staring at us, panic flashing in his hazel eyes. For a captain, he sure didn’t look eager to speak to the press. I guessed they didn’t have much experience with that on the Guardians—until now.
“I still can’t believe that was him,” Sam said, standing next to me. She’d hurried me down here, under the misguided notion that Ryder needed my congratulations.
There was a warmth to her that made it easy to see why Ryder had fallen in love with her—and Sullivan too. She had dark eyes, long, elegant brown hair, and flawless golden-brown skin. I’d already learned too much about her. She’d met Ryder a month after starting college in theStates. He’d been her only friend at first, then her best friend. She’d loved that he worked hard, that he took everything seriously, even college parties.
She’d chosen the fun-loving, always-smiling Sullivan. Well, always smiling when he wasn’t around Ryder and letting guilt eat him alive. Her words, not mine.
Sam. Wouldn’t. Shut. Up.
Meanwhile, Ryder peered out the door, looking away from the reporter every few moments.
It was about to swing shut when a large hand stopped it—one that looked like it belonged to Ryder Cassidy. But I knew better. The person now blocking Ryder was similar in appearance, but that’s where it ended.
Where Ryder’s smiles were slow and hard-won, Sullivan’s came easily. “Is that little Sydney Valentine?” The laugh that echoed out of him brought so many memories. “The destroyer of worlds?”
Teddy’s nickname. And Sullivan’s. Ryder had never called me that.
Heat crept up my neck. “Sullivan Cassidy. Always knew you’d grow up to be…” I looked him up and down, from his thrifted shoes to the inexpensive yet perfectly fitted suit, and all the charm that went with it. “...you.”
A bark of laughter escaped him, and without warning, he swept me up into his arms, lifting me off the ground like I was still that little girl trailing after the boys. “It’s good to see you, kid.” He gave me one last squeeze before setting my feet on the cool concrete and letting go. His now-free arm slid around Sam’s waist, and he pressed a kiss to the side of her head.
“I can’t believe we’re all here.” My words were honest, though I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, or howlong I’d stay. Eventually, I’d need a new gig. The job offers burning up my inbox wouldn’t wait forever.
“Really?” Sullivan ran a hand through his deep-brown hair, cut shorter than his brother’s. “I kind of always assumed we’d find our way back. You, Teddy, me and Ry, your sisters.”
My sisters, the ones who hadn’t spoken to me in years. Our family was broken, but Sullivan didn’t need to know how badly. “This city does have a gravitational pull, doesn’t it?”
Before I could say more, the locker room door opened again, and there was Ryder—sans reporter. I noticed for the first time that he wasn’t wearing a shirt. How the hell had I missed that moments before? His chest shimmered with sweat from the game, and I wanted to lick—Shit. I let out a breath, taking in the way his eyes bounced between Sullivan and Sam. Sam had mentioned not coming to games for exactly this reason. Was it to spare Ryder’s feelings or her own?
There was aggravating pity in her gaze, almost fear. She couldn’t look away from Ryder.
Sullivan released her and stepped forward to say something to his brother. What, we’d never know, because at that exact moment, I decided to be dumb and make what was sure to be a mistake.
Turning to Ryder, I closed the distance and rose onto my toes, pressing my mouth against his. He stilled, his arms hanging tensely at his sides.
“Don’t let them pity you,” I whispered against his lips. “Just go with it.”
A growl rumbled from his throat, sending vibrations through me as his arm snaked around my waist, pullingme flush against his chest. Then, his lips claimed mine. Not just claimed—he bit my bottom lip before licking the sting away and forcing my mouth open for more.
I gloriously, gladly accepted the challenge.
