Page 68 of Sweet Oblivion

Like a collision that couldn’t be avoided, even though I did my damnedest to try.

It may have taken a little longer than I expected, but it’s safe to say, we’ve officially collided.

“You’re leaving?”Nothing like asking the obvious.

“Yeah, Bambi.” He moves into my space, crowding me against the counter, not touching but close enough to feel him anyway. Every inch. His deep blue eyes churning. “My away game is tomorrow, remember?”

“Right.”I knew that, obviously. “Sorry. It’s just been a weird day. Have a good game.”

“You okay?” Ryker’s eyes refuse to leave mine, not even for a second.

“I’ll be fine.” Even I don’t believe that line of BS, and I’m the one trying to sell it.

He brushes his knuckles gently along the column of my throat, pushing my hair behind my shoulder and sending goosebumps skittering down my spine, and it wrecks me. “The girls coming over tonight?”

I shake my head, trying to form words as my brain implodes from the simple touch, but in reality, there’s nothing simple about any of this. “They’re coming tomorrow night for the game.”

He tips my face up further, forcing my eyes to his. “Hendrix is around if anything happens.”

“I’ve met him once at West End, Ryker. I’m not calling your BFF to come running.”Damn it. I know I messed up a few of those words.

“My BFF?” he laughs. “Men don’t have BFFs.”

“Whatever.” I shove at his chest, pushing him away, and immediately regret it when his hands catch my wrists. Gentle but strong as he pulls me against him. My breath leaves me in a rush as he wraps his arms around me. Tight and solid. Too much and not nearly enough.

“I’ll see you tomorrow night, okay?” he murmurs against my hair. “Try not to get into any trouble.”

My throat burns, and tears press hard behind my eyes, unwanted and unacceptable.

I will not cry. Not now. Not over this.

“Be safe,” I whisper against his chest, unsure if he can hear me.

His hold on me tightens.

“Always, baby,” he whispers back, the words landing low and deep. He brushes a gentle kiss against the top of my head.

And before I can react . . .

Before I can think . . .

Before I can stop any of this from escalating, he lets go and steps back, hoisting his duffle higher on his shoulder, and walks out without another word.

And I’m not sure if it’s the kiss or the words or just the man himself that rocks me to my core, but I’m pretty sure nothing will ever be the same.

Ryker

The team tends to room Maverick and me together for away games, which isn’t generally too bad. Mav’s a routine kind of guy, and he always walks around the hotel and checks on the younger guys the night before the game. I just have to wait until... now.

The door clicks shut behind him, and I throw the deadbolt over it before dropping to the bed and grabbing my phone. Nothing about how Delaney and I left it earlier sits right. Hell... nothing about this week has sat right.

Ryker

Hey. You awake?

Delaney

Yeah. Just reading.