Page 166 of The Right Move

It’s not easy for Ryan to leave the apartment, but that’s okay. I love our little life inside these four walls.

“Ind!” he calls as soon as he comes through the front door from his morning shootaround.

“In here!”

He ambles into his bedroom where I’m tucked under the covers, not yet ready to start my day. I didn’t get home from my road trip until two this morning. Ryan was waiting up for me and let’s just say, we were both still awake with the sun.

A soft smile slides across his lips as he leans against the doorframe, a fresh bouquet of flowers in his hand. “Well, don’t you look cozy?”

“Are those for me?”

He pops his shoulder before placing them on the nightstand. “Maybe.”

“Ryan, the romantic.” Words I never thought I’d say. “I love peonies. Thank you.”

Opening my arms, Ryan crawls onto the bed and nuzzles up to me. “And I love coming home to you.”

Scratching his scalp, I place a couple of kisses on his cheek. “That’s good because I’m not going anywhere.”

“No?”

“Are you kidding? I’ve got a free ride here. I get flowers hand delivered every week and I’m getting laid on the regular. I’m living the dream.”

His chest heaves against mine.

“And then there’s the whole thing about me being in love with you.”

“That little detail.”

His smiling mouth meets mine.

“Are you coming to the game tonight?” he asks.

“Of course.” I have yet to miss one if I’m in town. “I’m going to sit with Annie and the girls in their family box tonight.”

“Okay, well I guess you wouldn’t want the Morgans’ courtside tickets then.”

I pull away to get a better look at him, trying not to get too excited. “They gave you their tickets?”

“Yeah, they thought maybe you, Zanders, and my sister would want some good seats seeing as I’m back in the lineup tonight.”

“Ryan!” I smack his chest. “Are you serious?”

He laughs at my reaction. “I got cleared this morning.”

“Ryan Shay! This is huge! Are you excited? I’m so excited!” I slip out from underneath him, rushing to my old room across the hall. “I need to figure out what I’m going to wear!”

I can hear his easy laughter as he stays in his bed.

Turning around, I make my way back to the doorway of his room. “Are you happy, Ry?”

Hands folded under his head, he crosses his legs at the ankles, a soft smile on his lips. “I’ve got everything I could ever ask for. I’ve never been happier in my life, Blue. Now, I just got to get us to the playoffs.”

35

RYAN

“The Devils must win four of the next five games to make the playoffs. How confident do you feel about that?”

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