Page 100 of Until the Last Star Fades

“She fucked off already.” Josh swayed and whiskey slopped over the lip of his glass.

“Well, why don’t you mingle? Introduce yourself around. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet more NHLers, right?” Riley looked over her shoulder, hoping he’d take the hint.

“Yeah…mingle. I should meet teammates and…” Josh opened his mouth but forgot his point before the words came. “Get another drink.” He staggered away, spilling a trail of whiskey.

“Nice save there, Riles,” Ben whispered. “I wasn’t relishing another broken nose.”

“Let’s head to the roof. I don’t want Josh bothering us again.”

Arriving on the thirty-second floor’s east terrace, Ben was mesmerized by the sparkly lights of the city. “It would be peaceful up here if there wasn’t a party going on.”

A crisp breeze tousled Riley’s hair.

“You warm enough? Want my jacket?”

Josh would never offer. Too bad I’m not cold… “That would be great!”

Ben swiftly wrapped it around her shoulders, and Riley fought the urge to bury her nose in it for a deep sniff.

They walked along the north side, marveling at the lights from Times Square as they passed clusters of beige couches filled with Erika and Scott’s guests. Searching for seats, they shuffled through the crowd, passing the women’s restroom where raised voices slurred and sparred. Riley snickered at Ben’s wide-eyed headshake, the pair turning a corner where a tiny nook’s gray L-shaped sofa sat vacant.

“Finally!” Ben fell into the cushions. “Work did a number on my back today.”

“You’re such an old man!” Riley dropped down beside him.

The yelling inside the restroom grew louder, closer, two angry female voices competing with Justin Timberlake crooning through the terrace speakers.

“That’s why this couch was free.” Ben chuckled.

“For fuck’s sake!” a woman howled. “I can’t go anywhere, not even to my best friend’s party without one showing up!”

Shit! That’s Leia. Riley bit her lip.

“Well, I didn’t invite her!”

Holy crap—Tyler!

“Ooh, drama! Where’s the Real Housewives people when you need them?” Ben laughed.

“Maybe we should give them privacy?” Riley stood up, grasping Ben’s jacket at her shoulders so it didn’t fall off. “I don’t want to be in the middle of a domestic situation that ends up on Page Six.”

“You fucking liar!”

Okay, that wasn’t Leia. “Ben, let’s go.”

The warring couple careened out of the restroom, closely followed by a disheveled brunette, her dress half-unzipped, teetered on sky-high heels. The intoxicated trio blocked Riley and Ben’s escape.

“Shit!” Ben frowned and looked over his shoulder. “Can we head back the other…?”

Is THAT the girl who came with Josh? Riley’s jaw dropped.

“Leia, calm down!” Spying the slack jaws of Erika, Olivia, Riley, and his riveted teammates, Tyler buttoned his shirt and lowered his voice. “I think we’ve both had too much to drink. Lemme take you home—”

“Oh, listen to husband of the fucking year!” Leia looked angry but broken, mascara streaking down her cheeks. Riley felt pity for her.

“Leia, baby, c’mon. Don’t do this. Let’s get out of here.”

“You bastard! You promised me—never again. You enjoy it, don’t you, you sick fuck—hurting me?” Leia’s wobbled precariously, steadying herself with the help of a table. As she gained her balance, her eyes widened, spotting Riley and Ben. “TWO can play that game.” She pointed a wobbly finger at Ben. “See that guy? I fucked him hard in our bed.”