Page 4 of Wilder Puck
Our new tradition of Monday runs used to be Wednesday morning runs, but his NHL career switched that up for us. Now Mondays work best. Back in college, Ryan and I used to bump into each other in the local coffee shop every morning at six. It turns out, we were on the same path. It’s not that either of us were loners or weirdos but none of our friends were early risers like us.
Between my business degree and my part-time manager job at another local coffee shop, I didn’t have much of a social life. Not until I mettheRyan Wilder of the college’s Honey Badger hockey team. Best player, a total goofball with a good heart. Did I mention he’s easy on the eyes? Overall, I highly recommend finding a Ryan Wilder out there in the world.
On a random Wednesday morning, my hair was slicked into a high ponytail and my rugged running shoes from high school were on my feet. Ryan approached me, and I’ll never forget it because I thought the only reason he acknowledged my existence was because he accidentally took my coffee cup.
“Addison?” he said, and I perked up because he knew my name. “Do you run after this? I think I’ve seen you a few Wednesdays.”
I smiled because that was my Wednesday routine. In fact, I was so flattered that I didn’t realize until months later that hedid have my coffee in his hands. He joked that he accidentally took a sip and knew we’d be friends because he liked my order. Then he invited me to run with him on his route. I thought for sure his invitation was a façade. Aren’t most jocks assholes? Not this one. We talked while running. And then we wouldn’t shut up. I started to know him better than I knew myself and vice versa.
If it’s not obvious, he comes from a very tight-knit family. They are close, and his father is a hard-ass NHL coach. He felt like he was always being coached rather than loved. His father’s pride and joy was his older brother until recent times, and his mother favored the crap out of his youngest brother. So, he and his sister, Maddie, are a team. She’s the only person that comes before me, and I’m okay with that.
After graduation, our Wednesday routine turned into Mondays because I quote, Ryan said that seeing each other in the first hours of every week is a good start to every week.
I can remember the exact moment I knew I loved Ryan Wilder. It was on a not-so-freezing Wednesday morning and our feet were in slush from the melted snow. I accidentally slipped on my ass and slid down the sidewalk as my runner’s jacket scooped the snow into my back. I yelped because it was freezing, and I was soaked. Ryan, without hesitation, took off my wet jacket and gave me his. When I stood, my ankle hurt like hell. He scooped me into his arms and carried me the two miles back. I hung onto him and enjoyed those miles in his arms. But that’s just Ryan. He has manners and a generous heart. He would do that for anyone, not just me. I have been in awe of him since that day.
We always knew that Ryan would play in the NHL. His dad is an NHL coach for crying out loud, but he didn’t know he would play on his dad’s team. Shouldn’t there be a conflict of interest? Ryan claims he doesn’t mind it, but sometimes I see thebuilt-up tension in his shoulders. Or when he’s being screamed at by Coach Wilder on the sidelines, he’ll look up at me. I sit in the stands, no special seat, in the same spot at every game. Fifth row up, second over, and near the stairs. He can always spot me without thinking too hard. And when Coach is being hard on him, I flash Ryan my best smile and a thumbs up. I told him that it’s code for:You’re doing great.The beginning of the season was a good start to his career, and it wasn’t only him with a good start to something. I opened up my dream coffee shop.
Ryan lost his last game. His dad screamed at him for missing the puck because he is the goaltender, and the goaltender’s job is to keep the puck out of the net. I can imagine Coach Wilder shouting,aren’t you the China Wall? Act like it!So, I expect Ryan to push harder than usual today, even though it’s the start of a new week.
My favorite memories are interrupted when Hailey asks, “So, what are you doing here so early?” Her face is asking me another question. What she really means iswhy the fuck are you here at his house this early in the morning without knocking?
I steal a sip of Ryan’s coffee, glad to have made it to perfection. “Just here with breakfast.” I use the warmth of his cup to warm my fingers now.
She scoffs. “Are you secretly in love with Ryan? It would be such a shame because I’m his girlfriend.”
I smile now. The funny thing about her saying she’s his girlfriend is that it’s true, but I’m his best friend. Does she expect an award? Maybe a round of applause. I’m not going to clutch my heart like it’s broken and shout,Oh No! Let me run out of here with my tail between my legs.We’re adults, and adult males and females are allowed to have friends of the opposite sex. Just because she’s the girlfriend, doesn’t mean that every female in his life needs to lay off. Maddie, his sister, would agree. Ryan needs me around. He’s not one to date very much,so when he does, it is a big deal. However, lately, he’s been going through something. I promised not to tease him about this new girl because he did beg and warn me.
“It would be a shame,” I reply. “If it were true… You are his girlfriend, and I respect your relationship. Mondays are our tradition. I’m sorry he didn’t tell you.”
The look on her face screamswhat the fuck did you just tell me? A weekly routine?I can tell by her flared nostrils that she’ll be here every Monday morning from now on. But that’s if Ryan will let her after this. He doesn’t want our schedules to collide. And the reason for that is written all over Hailey’s face.Whoops.She glares at me, probably biting her tongue before she makes this more awkward than it already is. I take another sip of his coffee again, impatiently patiently waiting for Ryan to get out of that shower. What the hell is taking him so long?
“Well,” she says. “I know a lot about you that I probably shouldn’t. Ryan talks about you like he talks about his sister.”
And there it is.
The truth.
I’m like his sister.
It doesn’t hurt to hear that because I’m well aware of what Ryan and I are. When you find a Ryan Wilder, you don’t let him go. We can’t help that since the moment we went on that run, we’re inseparable.Best friends.
“You graduated with a business degree and are using that for your own small business, the coffee shop. And you’re a horrible liar. You don’t have your parents around. And you hate the cold, but you’ll sit at his hockey games for the entirety of it. Do you still do that?”
I nod as she retells my life story. All while using a vicious tone that I don’t like. Ryan really did tell her everything about me. I don’t know if I should be annoyed or flattered.
“He didn’t tell me how you looked like or what you’d really be like. I had this old lady pictured in my mind.” Her hands struggle around dramatically as she depicts an old lady. I think she could make a better impression.
My brows furrow as I study her.Wow, she is baring teeth.And the thing is, she won’t win. Ryan thinks jealousy is ugly and with any hints of that in a woman, he’ll be out. Plus, his loyalty is a beautiful thing. I can’t bring myself to say anything back to her. She wins by being in his bed, and I win by being the friend he wants around. We’re equal in that sense.
Hailey and I stare at each other as the bedroom door shuts in the distance. It echoes through this open floor plan. And I’m counting my lucky stars that I won’t be alone with Hailey any longer. What an awkward experience. I hope Ryan sees this awful side of her because my first impression is not good.
“I could recognize that smell anywhere,” Ryan says with a smile as he cuts the corner. “You made exactly what I needed this morning.”
Ryan and I lock eyes. “Baddie Addie at it again.”
I’m embarrassed by that ridiculous nickname, especially with Hailey as an audience. He ignores the cup of coffee she poured him and drinks the cup I made just for him.
“I’ve been craving this all weekend,” he says. He takes a long sip. “So good. Thank you.”
