Page 133 of Rinkmates

A desperate laugh bubbles up in my throat. “Because—because you’re on the top of your life, Riley! Look at you! You have it all.”

Now it’s him giving me a desperate laugh. He steps away from me. “I have it all? I was dying inside, Liora. Maybe it’s pathetic compared to your story, and I’m weak because, hell, you’re the strongest person I know. But, I didn’t have it all.” He touches me. “Now I have it all. With you. You saved me in ways you have no idea. I was a mess before you. You make me so full, feel worthy for once. That my life isn’t just for clicks and other people—for my damn father. You stood up for me and I stand up for you. Let me love you, Lia.”

There’s a knock on the door and we both jerk up. But Riley’s head whips back to me quickly. “I don’t want to live without you again. I meant what I said—”

Another knock. Followed by another.

“What is it?” Riley yells.

“Riley!” It’s Jayce.

Riley looks at me. Shocked. Then we both check the clock. It’s already past eleven. He should have left at ten.

“Shit,” Riley says, but he doesn’t move, his hands are still on my hips.

“Riley, the bus is waiting right outside your door. We’re going to miss our flight!”

“One minute.” He turns to me again.

“No!” Jayce bangs at the door again and again. “It’s the fucking Stanley Cup, you idiot!”

Riley closes his eyes, battling with all kinds of thoughts, and I sigh deeply. “Ri. Please. Go.”

He shakes his head, slowly opening his eyes. “No.”

“Riley!” Jayce screams. “I’ll break in. I swear.”

I narrow my eyes at him. Is he insane? “No what?”

“I don’t care about that thing anymore. It’s you I care about. I’ll help you get this sorted. Now. You’re not safe on set and—”

“I am safe,” I say. “It’s only one show. And you worked all your life for that cup. I am not the one who ruins this for you. I’m not ready for everyone to frame me like they did with Yoko Ono.”

“Now you’re being dramatic.”

“Okay, I break in in one—two—three.” Jayce bums against the door.

“Go,” I say.

“This isn’t me running,” Riley says.

“I know.”

Another bump on the door. I hear something cracking. “Go!”

“Don’t do anything stupid. I’ll win that fucking away game, come back, and win that Stanley shit, and—”

I grab him by the waist, pushing him to the door. “He’s coming!” I yell, and Jayce stops whatever he is doing out there.

Once I get that huge hunk to the door, he bends down, kissing me, and I kiss him back. “We’re sorting this. I am in. I am not running.”

I nod and shove him out of the door, where Jayce grabs him by the collar.

Once he’s gone, I lean against the door, eyes shut tight from fatigue and the throbbing pain in my feet. How can I make him understand? Right now, he wants me because we’re in the honeymoon phase of whatever this is—we haven’t even called it a relationship yet. Once the initial excitement fades, he’ll realizeit’s too much to become a dad overnight. And that’s what I need if I ever get into a serious relationship again—I want a father for my boy, not men who come and go, leaving him more traumatized than before.

Rory needs stability.

And so do I.

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