Page 64 of Fought and Freed

Ryder and Maddy returned to the elevator, and as they got off on their floor, Ryder’s phone rang.

He took it out to look at the screen, frowned, then swore. “Go ahead, Maddy, I need to take this.”

She walked to the suite and opened the door, stepping inside.

About to let the door close, she paused, staying right inside the doorway.

“I told you I was going away… No, I’m not anywhere near… I can’t take care of it. Dammit, P, you need to handle this.”

Maddy didn’t know who Ryder was talking to, but he wasn’t happy.

She left the door open a bit and headed inside.

The party was already in full swing, with Ace and Greg doing pushups in the middle of the room.

Maddy walked over to Torr. “What’s going on?”

“Greg said he could do more pushups than Ace,” Torr explained. “So now they’re having a contest.”

“Men.” Maddy shook her head, laughing.

“Can’t live with them, can’t live without them,” they said at the same time.

Greg fell to the floor.

“You lose!” Ace said.

Cody walked over to Maddy. “Where’d you go?”

“I left my purse in the restaurant.” She lifted it so he could see and spotted Ryder slipping into the suite.

He didn’t look too happy, but he joined in on the party.

“Oh my God, I love this song!” Torr grabbed her and pulled her to the side. “We have to dance!”

A knock sounded on their door, and Cody opened it.

A bellhop stood on the other side, with some food and four bottles of champagne.

“We didn’t order that,” Cody said.

“I did.” Lucca strode over, tipped the bellhop, then wheeled the cart into the room.

Lucca glanced at each of his teammates. “We’re allowed one glass of champagne, and that’s it.”

They all agreed.

He poured everyone a glass and passed them out.

“I would like to make a toast to my sister. This year has been made extra special because we found each other.” He raised his glass. “To years of getting to know each other better.”

Everyone cheered.

Ace stepped up. “I can’t believe this is our last year at Lockhaven. I’ve made some great friends here. Coach always said you are as good as your team, so I must have a damn good team. Let’s beat the Sundogs tomorrow!”

They started growling like dogs, and Maddy’s eyes widened. She glanced at her guys, who were doing the same thing.

Jace leaned toward her. “It’s a Husky thing.”

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