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“You just love me for my hockey knowledge,” she jokes.
I smile. “It sure doesn’t hurt.”
The guys step on the ice and I can’t take my eyes off Ryder. He skates around, talking with Murphy and Niall, the team’s enforcer, before he makes his way over to the boards below where we’re sitting.
I stand and spin around, pointing my thumbs at the back of my Coyotes sweatshirt. Darius bought it for me for my thirtieth birthday. He had it customized so it says Goode on the back instead of Kastellanos. Ryder’s never seen it before. When I turn back to face him, I see the surprise on his face, but it’s soon replaced by lust as he looks me over. Blowing him a kiss, I sink back down onto my hard seat and shift side to side, trying to get comfortable.
“If hockey games are going to be my new normal, I need a cushion to sit on.”
“And a heater for your buns,” Wendy jokes. Niall flies past us, catching her attention. “If this team gets any more eye candy playing for it, we’re going to need a bigger arena to fit more fans.”
“He’s an attractive addition, for sure,” Evie says. “What do you think his female fans will call themselves? Niall’s Nuggets?”
“Niall’s Nubs,” Wendy suggests.
I snort. “Eww. That’s the worst word.”
“Hmm.” Wendy taps her bottom lip. “Niall’s Narcissists? Niall’s Nipples?”
Rori leans forward to chime in with, “Niall’s Nerds.
“I’ve got one,” I say. “Niall’s Nuts.”
Wendy shakes her head, clearly not impressed. “Niall’s Nymphs,” she suggests before her eyes open wide. She claps her hands together. “I’ve got it… Niall’s Nymphos.”
“Oh my God,” I say, laughing.
“You might be onto something,” Evie says.
“It’s even better than the Ryder’s Goode Girls,” Wendy says.
“Please don’t remind me about them,” I say. Knowing women all over the world want your boyfriend is daunting to think about.
“What do they matter?” Wendy asks. “You’re the goodest girl of all.”
I laugh. “You’re not wrong.”
Evie grabs my hand, shaking it around. “They’re about to start.” She’s just a little excited.
My stomach feels like it’s doing a continuous series of somersaults throughout the entire game. Ryder repeatedly told me that losing the season opener would be devastating in more than one way for them. My eyes flick to the clock, watching it tick down one second at a time. This isn’t the most exciting game that I’ve been to, mostly because no one is scoring. Defense is playing well on both sides.
By the time there’s only two minutes left in the game, it’s still scoreless. One of the players on the opposing team drives hard into Ryder with his shoulder, trying to steal the puck.
“Oh,” I gasp, covering my mouth with my hands. It’s not easy to see these big guys being so rough with the man I love.
Ryder gets control of the puck and starts to skate away. Niall barrels into the opposition like a freight train, preventing the player from delivering a nasty hit on my man. This allows Ryder to get the puck to Kaiden, who slaps it in for what will be the only goal of the entire game.
My friends and I, along with everyone else in the arena, jump to our feet, cheering.
They got the win.
“Thank God they won. I’m not prepared to deal with a grumpy Murphy,” Wendy says.
Evie nods. “No grumpy guys tonight.”
“Kaiden doesn’t get grumpy. He gets quiet,” Rori tells us.
“I don’t know what Ryder’s reaction to a loss will be and I’m not looking forward to finding out,” I say. “I hate to cut this short, but I have something I need to take care of at home. I’ve got to head out now. I’ll see you all at the next game with my seat cushion in hand.”
