Page 94 of Desperate Pucker
I shake my head and hold back a smile. “He’s the one who put in the hard work.”
“So did you. You put together a training plan for him. You’ve been working with him for the past two months straight. He wouldn’t be this fast or playing this well without you,” Bella says.
“Very true,” Maya says. “You’re the kingmaker, Maddy.”
I laugh, feeling proud and happy at once. And excited that I have such supportive friends who don’t hesitate to build me up.
“Thanks, you guys.”
Ryker battles with a Montreal defenseman for control of the puck before taking off with it. He sprints across the ice and zeroes in on their goalie.
He moves like he’s going to shoot, but then passes it back to Del, who sinks the puck into their net. The four of us are on our feet, cheering along with all the Bashers fans in the arena.
The guys crowd around Del to celebrate his goal. I notice Ryker gets a few helmet taps for his impressive assist.
The Bashers are up three-to-one going into the third period. Montreal manages to score after a few minutes, but halfway through, Ryker hits a slap shot into their net.
I gasp. I’ve seen him shoot like that in the videos I’ve watched, but never in person. It’s insane how much power and control he displays in that shot.
The Denver fans go wild. Ryker’s teammates crowd around him to celebrate. As they disperse, Ryker turns and catches eyes with me. His mouth slants up in a sexy half-smile. Then he winks at me.
My stomach takes a tumble. I’m tingly all over.
“That was a hot look he gave you,” Bella teases.
I clear my throat and smile down at my lap. I haven’t told them about how Ryker and I hooked up when he came over to cook dinner for me the other week. As much as I want to gush with my new friends about him, I want to respect Ryker’s privacy.
The game ends with the Bashers winning. Maya, Bella, and Dakota ask if I feel like joining them for a drink.
“Yeah, that sounds fun,” I say.
“We need to treat you to a drink for your new position with the team,” Maya says.
I smile. “It’s not really a new position. I’m just training more of the guys and traveling with the team sometimes.”
“And helping out during practices,” Dakota says. “Come on, Maddy. That’s a big deal. Celebrate yourself.”
I beam. “Okay. Thanks, you guys.”
An hour later, we end up at a small, dimly lit restaurant in the Verdun neighborhood of Montreal, drinking champagne and cocktails in a booth at a table in the middle of the dining space.
“This is quite the combo, fried chicken and cocktails,” Dakota says. She chuckles at a massive plate of fried chicken wings on our table.
“Just wait till the guys come,” Bella says. “They’re going to be starving after that game. That chicken will be gone in seconds.”
A minute later, the guys come in, along with Sophie and Ingrid. We greet each other, and everyone sits down.
“Congrats on the win, you guys,” I say, holding up my glass. “And to you, Sophie, for helping keep these guys in playing shape.”
We all clink our glasses.
“A toast to Madeline for being the best skating coach ever,” Camden says.
Ryker raises his glass, holding my gaze. “Hell yeah.”
Everyone raises their drinks again and hollers, “To Madeline.”
I can’t help the cheesy grin that splits my face at how amazing they all are. They just pulled off a big win against a tough team, and they’re cheering me on.
