Page 109 of The Bro-code

A part of me understands his reaction; the part of me that didn’t land in that pool last night.

“I don’t disagree with you.” I finally bite out. “Why should I forgive you? You’ve been a gigantic pain in my ass from the second we met at the airport.”

Redness rises to Ryker’s face as his throat works.

Fuck me.

I just made Ryker Moore blush.

“Because I can do better, Bay. Please, let me prove to you that I’m not an asshole.”

There’s something in his kicked puppy expression that pulls on my heartstrings, but I stand my ground.

Ryker isn’t finished with his plea, this time he turns to Jagger. “Please dude, we’ve known each other since we were high school freshmen. Vouch for me?”

Jagger chuckles, his gaze soft when it lands on me. “It’s true. Ryker might be an acquired taste, but he’s a good one. He’s just a pro at hiding it.”

“Jeez, thanks.” Ryker rolls his eyes at his teammate, before setting that icy gaze back on me. “For what it’s worth, I understand what you said to me earlier last night about not being over your ex’s betrayal. I wasn’t in a relationship but two people I considered good friends betrayed me, that’s why I transferred. So I decided I would just come here to play hockey and bide my time until I go pro after graduation. I didn’t come here to make friends or… to get involved with anyone.”

His last few words give me pause.

Ryker and I don’t just have very similar taste when it comes to food. It sounds like last year ended in the same way for both of us. With a betrayal.

“If that’s true,” I say, still not totally sold on the idea of forgiveness. “Why did it matter if you felt rejected? Forgive my bluntness, but I couldn’t care less if your ego felt wounded.”

I barely know Ryker, but everything from his expression to his tone tells me that he’s being honest with me and I appreciate that. “It wouldn’t have mattered until we kissed. That kiss was… something.”

RYKER

I should kick Jagger’s ass for bringing me here and making me apologize to Bay.

Not because she doesn’t deserve an apology, she absolutely does. It’s because I know myself and my big mouth and I said too much.

Yes, that kiss Bay and I shared before things went totally tits up last night was the best kiss I’ve ever had but I don’t think that changes anything.

I should still focus on getting through this year and come out of Star Cove with a degree before I head to Hartford for my rookie season.

There’s no room for relationships. No room for Bay Woods, no matter how much I want to pull her into my arms and apologize with my mouth on hers.

There’s a beat of silence and fuck me, I can’t take my eyes off of her.

The air in the presidential suite of the Gamma house is crackling with electricity.

“Fine,” Bay says. “I can try to forgive you, but you’re going to have to earn it, Ryker. Stop antagonizing me any chance you get for starters and we’ll see if we can call a truce.”

I guess this is the most I can expect from her after how I acted. “Thank you, Bay. I promise you won’t regret it.”

Her gaze is fixed on me, a hard glare that makes her even sexier than usual. “Just so you know,” she informs me. “It wasn’t your eloquent speech or Jagger’s vouching for you that made me decide to give you a chance to prove to me that you aren’t a douche.”

I can’t with this woman.

She just called me a douche and even that makes me hard. “Don’t sugar coat things for my benefit,” I laugh, unable to hide my sarcasm. “If baring my soul to you or Jagger’s diplomatic skills didn’t move you, what did?”

The corner of those soft, pink lips lifts in a barely there smile. “You’re right about that kiss. It was something.”

I don’t know what to say at this point. I’m dying to pull her into my arms and kiss her until her lips turn blue, but I’m not confident that would be received the way I hope. I wouldn’t put it past Bay to knee me in the balls.

Before I can react in any way, Jagger speaks.

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