Page 86 of No Rhyme or Roughing
I didn’t register anything else until Teddy gripped my arm, hauling me to my feet. “Come on, man. Let’s get you cleaned up. The game needs to resume.”
He shook his head, his gaze flicking to where Jameson and Sydney stood talking in low tones, their heads bent close together as they left the ice.
The face-off was at center ice. I played the rest of the period with pee soaked into my pads.
Freaking perfect.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
SYDNEY
The moment Jameson appeared, I almost forgot to hit record on my phone. I’d been distracted by the crowd, by passing Guardian off to Sullivan.
And then,him.
I didn’t stay for the rest of the game. There was too much on my mind, and I had a rock star to avoid. Once I had Guardian—and his now-empty bladder—safely in my arms, I headed home.
To edit the video,I told myself. Get it uploaded before the guys even got back.
Setting Guardian in his crate, I filled his food bowl and closed the door. We were still feeding him in there, as the dog trainer I followed on social media recommended.
Even though he wasn’tmydog.
I rested my hands on my hips and stared down at him. “I’m not sure what Teddy would have done with you, G.” Shaking my head, I was grateful I didn’t have to find out. The puppy deserved more than my brother could give.
Heading to the room I was staying in, I grabbed my laptop and lay on my stomach on the bed. Once I’d airdropped the video, I started watching it.
It was endearing, really, the way this group of athletes struggled to remember simple steps.
The camera had zoomed in on Ryder, his scowl etched across his face the entire time. Especially when he was looking at Jameson.
There were great shots of Guardian, Coach Griff’s grimace, and Coach Frankie’s barely contained laughter. It was an easy video to edit, and I even created a few posts from it, using different clips. The music was perfect. Jameson’s surprise appearance tied it all together.
I’d just uploaded one of the videos to the team’s account when I heard a voice call out from downstairs.
“Babe?”
Jameson.
I sighed, crawling off the bed. I found him in the hallway, clearly looking for me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, one hand still on my doorknob.
His brow furrowed, like he’d expected a warmer greeting. “Teddy gave me the address.” He leaned in for a kiss, but I turned my head, and his lips brushed my cheek instead.
He didn’t comment on it; Jameson was well-practicedat appearing unaffected. Planting a hand on the wall beside my head, he said, “I’ve missed you.”
Truthfully, I’d missed him too—his easygoing nature, the way my worries disappeared when I was with him. It was like he lived in a bubble free of cares, and for a while, I’d gotten to join him there.
Relenting, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around his waist, breathing him in.
“You’re on a first-name basis with my brother now?” I asked, looking up at him.
He laughed, light and easy. “He decided to shoot his shot with me. If he’d been anyone else, I’d have said no. But he asked me to come, and I couldn’t pass up the chance to see you.”
“But the tour…”
“I had a few nights free.” He shrugged. “It seemed like the right choice.”
