“It doesn’t matter. I should’ve had your back.”
“Thanks.”
He sighs, mouth lifting at the corner. “What a way to end my college hockey career.”
“What? Come on, you could still make the playoffs.”
“Doubt it. We’ve had a really shitty season.” He snorts. “It’s fine. Buffalo sent a contract with their official offer. Once I sign it, I can’t play in the NCAA league anyway.”
“Oh my god, Ry! You didn’t tell me, dick,” I say in excitement. “Congratulations. Are you going to sign with them?”
“It just happened before yesterday’s game. I’ve been busy.” He gives me the same smile that he’s always had when he lured me into something mischievous when we were growing up. “Come see your brother in the NHL.”
“You bet. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks. Oh, shit. Coach is calling. I’d better go before he kills us.”
“Bye.”
“Later.”
I rest my head against the window, a weight lifted from my shoulders that I’ve carried with me since the moment I ended my joke of a relationship with Johnny. He created a rift between me and my brother that I know I’ll be able to repair. With Easton’s help, Ryan started the bridge that will bring us back together.
Reagan reaches from the driver’s seat to squeeze my hand. “You good?”
“Yes. Thanks.”
She gives another supportive squeeze.
The rest of the ride is spent with all four of us belting out songs with the windows down despite the brisk late February weather. It doesn’t matter to us. Nothing can touch us when we’re having fun.
By the time we make it back to Heston Lake, Easton lets me know the team bus isn’t far behind us. He invites me to let myself into the hockey house with the spare key he gave me after our ice skating date.
“Thanks for dropping me off here,” I tell Reagan when she parks out front.
“Of course. Tonight was wicked fun.” She winks and shimmies her shoulders. “All that excitement.”
“Hell yes,” Corinne cheers from the back seat. “I’m so glad I came out for this. Now I want to go see a professional game.”
“I think we’ve converted a new fan,” Hana says through laughter.
“What are you guys going to do now?” I ask.
“Dance around at our place and drink the box of wine in the fridge,” Reagan says. “You’ll be missed while you get dicked down. Enjoy that.”
I smirk at her saucy tone. “Thanks, I will.”
“Bring me all the dirty details when you come back,” she calls after me as I get out of her car. “Don’t leave anything out, we want to know everything!”
I grin and wave to my friends while they drive off. On my way inside, Easton’s cat gets up from her napping spot on the porch to rub against my leg. I fill her bowl with food and get her fresh water before heading upstairs. She follows me, hopping on the bed when I sit down with the overnight bag I dropped off earlier before we left for the away game.
She explores my stuff when I put the bag on the floor, trying to climb in when I get the latest romance book I borrowed from Reagan.
I take a photo of her head poking out of my bag to send to Easton. “You fit. Is that your new spot?”
She hops right back out when I stretch out on the bed to read, purring as she curls up at my side. It’s peaceful getting lost in reading with her company.
“I like coming home to this. You in my bed.”
