Page 63 of What are the Risks
As I turned for the bathroom, Ryker called out my name.
“I’ll always be here for you. You know that, right?”
Though I’d lost faith in most men, I hadn’t lost it in my best friend. I doubt I ever would.
“Of course I do.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Or what?
Ryker
The guys were in the kitchen, taking stock of the alcohol when I returned downstairs. I snatched a bottle of vodka off the counter, ignoring their concerned expressions as I took a long swig. If I didn’t do something to dim the anger within me, I was going to explode.
I’d have to find a loophole around the promise I’d made Ruby, because Noah didn’t get to hurt her like that and fucking get away with it. I wanted to wring his fucking neck. I wanted to break his fucking jaw. I wanted to smash up his girly fucking car. I’d never hated another person more. Not a rival quarterback. Not a cheap defender. Not even a hockey player.
“You good?” Evan checked when I eventually set the bottle down.
I shook my head. Then nodded. Then shrugged. “I will be.”
“And Ruby?” Brady pressed.
Honestly? I wasn’t sure. She’d never gone through something like this before, so I had nothing to compare it to. It was clear she wanted to move past it though, so if she needed me to act like it hadn’t happened, I would. At least for tonight.
“She’ll be fine, but don’t bring it up when she comes down. Let’s just have fun tonight.”
Pat saluted. “Easy. Talking about exes is a mood killer, and there will be no fun sponges at tonight’s party.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Party?”
The front door slammed shut a moment before Tori appeared in the kitchen. Brady immediately discarded the keg he was helping to lift, leaving it to Kyler to manage the weight.
Tori was already dressed for the night, wearing baggy jeans and a structured top that showed off the skin above her hip bones. She was the reason I knew anything about women’s style. She had a habit of taking over the TV with fashion shows whenever she came round, and I’d get hooked every time.
After an awkwardly long and drawn-out make out session with my cousin, she looked my way. “Is Ruby here?”
I nodded. “She’s upstairs.”
She picked four hard seltzers up off the counter. “I’m going to finish getting ready with her. See you boys once we’re serving.”
“Serving?”
“Slayin’. Killing it. Looking hot,” she explained. “Come on, Ryker. We’re the same age!”
With a defeated sigh, I reached for the vodka and took another sip. It didn’t feel that way sometimes.
*
After setting up the coolers and ice, and then arguing over the playlist, we were finally ready to go. Pat poured us all a drink, which was very heavy on the vodka. Not that I was complaining. I was still full of angry adrenaline.
Though as much as I needed something to take the edge off, I had to pace myself. Ruby had an early flight tomorrow. I needed to be sober enough to drive her first thing.
Most of the team turned up just before seven p.m., followed by the rest of the guests not long after. The numbers had blown out well beyond a small gathering. No surprisesthere.
I made the rounds, exchanging small talk and chatting with the guys until Tori came downstairs. I’d been subtly watching for the past hour, waiting on her – well, Ruby – to come down.
Excusing myself from the conversation I’d landed myself in, I headed straight for Tori. She didn’t seem at all surprised when I took her arm and guided her to the kitchen.
