Page 145 of Almost Ours
“How are you feeling?”
“Do you need anything?”
“You’re so brave.”
Over and over, like some broken record of well-meaning concern. Smiles, hugs, pats on the shoulder. I was grateful, I really was, but I felt wrung out before I even sat down.
At least I hadn’t run into–
“OH. MY. GOD. HARPER!”
The screeching behind me made me jump. I turned to see the hockey moms descending like a pack of sequined, puffy-coated hyenas.
“We had no idea you had a psycho ex!”
“Are you okay? Like, really okay?”
“I can’t believe this happened–here!”
“You should’ve said something, we would’ve handled it!”
The questions and exclamations tumbled over one another, half-gasps, half-gossip, all of it way too loud for the middle of a crowded arena. Nina bit her lip, trying not to laugh beside me, while I sat there frozen, every set of nearby eyes turning toward our section.
Before anyone could say anything further, a shadow fell over us. I glanced up, startled, to see Ryan standing there, clipboard still in hand. He looked completely in his element, but his eyes were fixed on me, a warmth in them that sent butterflies to my stomach.
“Coach Ryan,” Nina said with a smirk, nudging me.
I opened my mouth to ask what he was doing there when, predictably, the hockey mom crew pounced.
“Hi, Ryan,” Kelly cooed, her tone an octave higher than usual.
“Looking sharp, as always,” Miranda chimed in, practically batting her eyelashes.
Ryan gave them a polite nod but kept his focus on me. “Hey,” he said, his voice low and easy.
“Uh, hi,” I replied, feeling Nina’s eyes bore into the side of my head. “Have a good game, Coach,” I said, trying to sound casual, though my heart was pounding.
He didn’t reply right away. Instead, he bent down, cupping my cheek gently before planting a kiss on my lips. It wasn’t a quick peck either. It was firm and confident, a kiss that left no doubt in anyone’s mind that we werevery much together.
When he pulled back, he grinned down at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Thanks. Just needed a good luck kiss from my girl.”
I was too stunned to respond as he walked away, clipboard in hand, like he hadn’t just declared our relationship to half the town.
Behind me, there was a collective gasp from the hockey moms.
“Oh my God,”Rachel breathed.
“Iknewit!” Heather said triumphantly. “Icalled this months ago.”
“Finally,” Kelly said, throwing her hands up. “We’ve been waiting for this to happen forever.”
“You and Ryan?” Miranda leaned forward, her eyes wide. “Likeofficially?”
“Uh, yeah,” I said, still trying to recover from the kiss. Nina was beside me, practically doubled over with laughter.
“And you didn’t tell us?” Vanessa asked, mock-offended. “We’re going to need details.”
Kelly wasn’t so subtle. “So, is he as good at… you know… off the ice as he is on it?”
