Page 159 of Lucky Shot
The puck flies out of play and Coach blows the whistle to stop the game. I circle around, preparing to take the face-off, when a crash somewhere in the stands pulls me out of my focus.
I glance over, finding the source by the commotion. Several members of the media have stood to help the woman to her feet. Someone picks up a yellow backpack and holds it out to her. My already speeding heart kicks up another notch.
Ruby’s cheeks are pink as she composes herself. She smooths down the skirt of her dress and scans the ice, finding me and smiling hesitantly.
“Galaxy?” Coach calls my name as he stands at center ice with the puck.
“One sec, Coach.”
He looks puzzled and a little taken aback by my request, but I’m already skating toward her. She continues down the steps, looking more beautiful than I remember. Less than twenty-four hours since I left Denver but the relief I have seeing her is overwhelming.
We meet at the bottom of the stairs just off the ice. I take out my mouthguard and flip up my visor. I’m so happy to see her, I can’t seem to say anything.
“Hi!” She lifts a hand in an awkward wave.
“Long time no see.”
“Clingy, right?”
“Charming.” I flash her a smile. “I’d hug you but I’m sweaty.”
She lets out a soft laugh. “Sorry to interrupt, but I have good news and I couldn’t wait to tell you.”
“What’s up, baby?”
“I sold my book proposal!” She raises both arms out to her sides and lifts her shoulders. “My meeting last night, the one that couldn’t wait, was with the editor who bought it. She bought three books actually. I’m under contract for the next two years of my life.”
“That’s fantastic news. Congratulations!”
“Thank you.”
My gaze shifts to the people on the ice and in the stands all watching us.
“I’m not complaining, Red, but is there a reason you came all this way to tell me that instead of picking up the phone?” I ask, grinning at her.
“Well, I had planned to wait until practice was over.” She waves at the team and coaches. She raises her voice, “So sorry.”
“It’s fine. They can wait.” Coach is surely going to have a talk with me later about distractions at practice, but I don’t care.
She tucks her hair behind one ear and looks at her feet before glancing back up at me.
“Okay, here’s the thing. I’m not sure I can write books anymore without the sound of hockey in the background. It also helps to have inspiration from my extremely hot and sexy boyfriend.”
“Did you just call me your boyfriend, Red?”
Her face scrunches up as she aims a timid smile at me. “Yes?”
“I love it. And I’m happy to be your inspiration any time.”
“Good because I don’t need time to think about what I want. It’s you. I want you and I don’t care how much schedule juggling it takes. I’m all in.”
“Me too.”
Her smile is back and filled with sass. “Also, I was thinking…Since I’m going to be writing nonstop and Hotel Fourteen is uninhabitable, maybe I could stay at Chalet Galaxy. You know, if it’s available.”
My smile spreads as wide as it’s ever been. “For how long?”
“Three books, inevitable writer’s block…It could take a while.” She smiles back, mirroring my happiness. “I haven’t worked out the details yet. I want to visit my family as much as I can and be there when Olivia has the baby. Then there’s the tour coming up and…I want to stay indefinitely.”
