Page 136 of Desperate Pucker
“How are you feeling?” Maddy asks.
“Good. I got ten hours of sleep last night.”
She chuckles. “Wow. That’s great. Still staying away from alcohol?”
I nod.
“Impressive,” she says. “I didn’t see you sneak even a sip of alcohol at Casino Night.”
“Gotta stay on top of it with playoffs around the corner.”
We’ve made it to the playoffs this season with one of the best records in the league. I wanna play my best for every game that I’m in, and that means I need to prioritize my sleep and diet. I can’t have any slip-ups. Even one beer would make me feel sluggish and screw up my sleep, which would mess with my recovery.
“You’re going to kick ass in the playoffs, Ryker.”
Warmth gathers in my chest at the conviction in Maddy’s tone. I can tell she believes in me. And that means everything.
We walk through the tunnel toward the training room.
“Hey. Remember how I told you about that event for the athletic department at Hollis University?”
I stop walking and look at her. “Yeah.”
She stares down at her shoes. “It’s next weekend.” She looks at me, shyness in her eyes. “I’ve been thinking about it. I’d like to go.”
I grin. “Yeah?”
Her mouth curves up in a hesitant smile. “I think so. I’ve been thinking about Carly and how sweet and supportive she was. I’d like to meet more fans like her. And I’ve been thinking about what you said too. How you said you’d come with me. Would you still be okay with that?”
“Absolutely,” I say.
She grins. “Really?”
“Of course.”
“You don’t have to act like a bodyguard or anything like that.”
I shake my head. “I promised to be a buffer for you. That’s exactly what I’m gonna do.”
Her gray-blue eyes are warm. She takes a step closer, and for a second, I think she’s going to kiss me. But she plants her feet on the ground and blinks.
I remind myself how we both agreed not to be affectionate with each other when we’re working.
She clears her throat. “Thank you, Ryker.”
She starts to turn to head upstairs, where her office is, but I stop her.
“Hey, Maddy.”
She turns around. “Yeah?”
“Your fans are going to love meeting you. I’ll make sure everything is perfect for you.”
Her eyes are bright when she smiles. Then she blows me a kiss before running up the stairs.
And I stand there, feeling like my heart just exploded.
“This line is nuts,” Maddy says as she gazes around the Appleton Athletic Center at Hollis University.
