Page 125 of Desperate Pucker
“Want something to drink?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I’ll do just water tonight, like you.”
Together, we walk into the ballroom, which has been transformed into a casino. There are a dozen different casino games set up in the space. People crowd around the tables to play. We walk past Xander, who’s posing to take photos with fans. I nod at Del, who’s playing blackjack at a table with some fans. A few of them ask to take selfies with him.
“So did you sign up to be a dealer for one of the games tonight?” Maddy asks.
I shake my head. “I’m gonna play bartender instead.”
She smiles. “Really?”
“Yup. Should be a blast since I know how to make exactly three cocktails.”
She laughs. “I’m sure the fans who paid to be here tonight won’t care that you don’t know how to make a proper old-fashioned.”
“Wanna gamble a bit?” I ask.
“Yeah, okay. You’re going to have to help me though because I’ve never gambled before.”
“Really? Not even a scratch card?”
She shakes her head.
“Okay, we gotta pop your gambling cherry.”
She laughs and follows me to a blackjack table across the ballroom.
“We’d like to join, if that’s okay,” I ask.
The dealer smiles at us. “Certainly.”
While he hands out cards, the people sitting at the table look over at me.
“Hey, could we get a picture with you?” one of the guys asks me. “We’re huge fans.”
“Yeah, sure.”
Maddy offers to take the photo.
“You look a little grumpy there, Ryker. Try smiling,” she teases.
The fans chuckle when I let a smile break free. She snaps a bunch of photos and hands their phone back.
“You’ve been kicking ass ever since you came back from your injuries,” one of the guys at the table says to me.
“Yeah, you’re on fire,” the guy next to him says. “Even the young guys are struggling to keep up with you on the ice.”
“I was so happy when you got traded to Denver,” the first guy says. “You’re gonna be clutch in the playoffs. I just know it.”
I fight a smile at how good it feels to hear such positive comments from our fanbase.
“Thanks. That means a lot,” I say, then turn to Maddy. “She’s the reason for it all. She’s my skating coach. I wouldn’t be playing well without her training.”
They both turn to her. “Oh, man. You’re awesome!” the first guy says to Maddy. The second guy nods along.
She blushes as she beams, then looks at me.
“It’s a team effort,” she says, nudging me. “This guy definitely puts in all the hard work.”
