“Pretty sure you’re the one with all the baggage.” She waves me off over her shoulder. “If you just show me around quicklyand let me know which room is Taevin’s, you can get back to whatever team training or puck bunnies are waiting for you. I’ve got my girl.”
Yeah, that’s not going to fly. Like, at all. Knowing I need to set her straight, I inform her, “I don’t have any plans or training, and I’ve never hooked up with a puck bunny. And like I said, thanks for coming to help take care ofourgirl.”
That’s right. She’s not just Ryan’s girl; she’s mine too.
Ryan scoffs and rolls her eyes. What’s with these women and rolling their goddamn eyes? “Never say never, Jackson. I may have seen you in a compromising position one night in Boston whenmygirl was coming to get you.”
All color drains from my face when I realize the night she’s talking about. “You were there with her?” I ask and when she simply nods in reply, I can’t stop myself from wishing I could punch Enzo Calvetti in the face right now. “So then tell me you stuck around long enough to realize I was drunk out of my mind, and even in my inebriated state, I practically tossed her off of me.”
A slight frown appears on Ryan’s face. “Unfortunately, no. I left the party with Taevin, and then everything went to hell after that.”
“What do you mean?” I question.
Now her frown turns to, I don’t know, panic maybe? It’s been so long since I’ve seen her, I can’t get a good read on the emotions playing across her face. “Nothing. She was just brokenhearted and in a city she thought she’d be living out this epic love story with you, and instead her heart shattered on the pavement.”
“I’m so fucking confused right now. Taevin’s the one who changed all of our plans to take her record deal. And instead of letting me come with her or attempt a long distance relationship, she’s the one who broke my heart.”
“Is that how you remember it? It was so long ago, by now it’s all so fuzzy, I guess.” Ryan hums before shrugging as if me having my heart broken by Tae was no big deal. And I don’t know why I let it get to me, but the condescending little hum she did sends me damn near over the edge.
“Not long enough ago for you to still send me bags of dicks monthly,” I mutter under my breath, but she must hear me because she breaks out into a shrill fit of laughter.
“Oh, fuck. I almost forgot about that. I’ve had it on subscription since you purchased this house.”
“One, how the hell did you know I purchased this house?”
“Property records, duh. You should’ve put it under an LLC or something if you didn’t want people to find your home address.”
“Noted. I’ll look into changing that immediately,” I growl out.
“You should, otherwise the paps will be out here sniffing around after they saw the two of you together at Summer Stampede. I’m surprised they haven’t already found you.”
I sigh in frustration just thinking about those vultures closing in on us. I can’t let that happen. Maybe I should look into upping my security systems too. Fuck, maybe Taevin should look into Braidy staying here while I’m on the road for away games. I kind of hate the fact that Kyle hired him though. Maybe I can convince Taevin to let me hire someone else to be her bodyguard while she’s in Minnesota.
“I’ll get right on it,” I say gruffly, mentally adding things to my to-do list.
Ryan huffs out a breath. “You do that. But could you show me where I’ll be staying and bring my bags with you while you’re at it?”
“Did Boston take all the manners outta you?”
“No, I just lose them from time to time when I’m dealing with my best friend’s estranged husband.”
“Nothing estranged about me—I’m right here, aren’t I?” I ask, holding my arms out wide.
She shrugs. “For now. Jury’s still out as to whether or not you manage to win her back. My money’s on you making a complete fool of yourself a time or two before that happens.”
“You know, I almost forgot what a joy you are to be around,” I deadpan.
“I’ve been told I’m a real fucking ray of sunshine,” she retorts.
“What a stretch that is,” I murmur as I grab two of her suitcases and march up the stairs to show her to her room.
“Knock, knock,” I call out, standing in the open doorway of Taevin’s room.
Taevin’s lying on the bed, propped up by half a dozen pillows, as Ryan runs a brush through her damp hair. At the end of the day, the one thing I can admit when it comes to Ryan is she’s a hell of a friend to Tae. She’s been so on top of everything when it comes to helping Taevin these past few days.
“To what do we owe the pleasure, hockey boy?”
“I was wondering if the two of you would like to have dinner in here, or if you’d like to join me and my mom in the dining room?”
