Page 5 of Pucked Together

"Well, if it isn't my newest housemates!" He exclaims.

Grumpy Pants stops just before getting to the door.

"Uh, what?" He says at the same time, I say, "He's what?"

"Ryker, this is my baby sister, Isabella Landry. Izzy, meet Ryker Balinger, our starting goalie."

We both stare at each other before he shakes his head and pushes past Keelan.

"Don't mind him," Keelan ignores his teammate's obvious rudeness and walks over to me.

"Kee, you have three guys living with you now? Isn't it going to be...I don't know, crowded in there?" I motion towards his ridiculous McMansion.

"No, sis. My house was built to house an entire team." He spreads his arms out, and I get a good look at the structure towering behind him. "There's space for all of you and then some."

It's as if the house from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air mated with the White House and gave birth to a Texas-sized baby.

My eyes land back on his, and I just stand there, unmoving, hoping to God he doesn't have more people coming.

"But seriously, that's it," he laughs. "No more roommates. Not while you're here, at least."

He throws an arm over my shoulder, and I let out a breath of relief.

Hurricane Chancey hit the Texas Gulf Coast almost a week ago, and it displaced thousands of people. Many areas were evacuated, including the condos where most of the Heatwave players live near the Space City Arena.

I almost didn't come because of it, but Keelan insisted I was better off living with him than anywhere else right now.

"Don't get me wrong, it's nice and all that you're doing this. Not just for them but for me and Wednesday, too."

Keelan laughs a deep, hearty laugh and tugs me closer into a bear hug. "Some things can't be bought, sis. Besides, it gets lonely in this place with just the house manager, the maids, the chef...anyway, I'm glad you're here."

He breaks away and holds me by the shoulders to get a good look at me.

"Do you even hear yourself when you talk?" I shove his chest and go around to the passenger door to let Wednesday out.

"Not really. Ah, if it isn't my favorite niece," Keelan bends over as Wednesday takes a tentative step toward him. She sniffs his shoe, clears her nose, and pees.

Keelan jumps back, laughing, “Marking her territory?”

“That’s how she says hello to annoying men.” I grab my bags from the backseat.

"Duly noted. Well, come on, food just got here. I'll introduce you to the other guys."

Wednesday looks up at me and takes a seat. She’s just as hesitant as I am.

“Come on, girl. If they’re assholes…just get even and pee on their stuff.”

With that promise, we step inside.

Chapter 2

Ryker

"No way, man. Federin would totally beat out Mulligan. He's a freakin' beast in the net," Hicks shouts from the other side of the table.

The guys have been in a heated debate, making up their own versions of fantasy hockey based on players we all personally know.

Keelan is downing his second beer, and I can tell he's loving life at the moment. He's always been a people person. In college, he was the guy constantly surrounded by a group of people laughing and bickering. It's no wonder he's thriving right now.

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