Page 58 of Goalie Interference

Ryder’s brow lowered, his ego not liking the reaction he was getting.

Probably best to move on. “It was nice to meet you, but we should be mingling.” First time I’d ever wanted to do more mingling. “Sophie’s been helping me promote the charity auction.”

His nose twitched. “In that dress, I’m sure you’re getting lots of attention. But perhaps not the right kind.”

I looked from Sophie to the woman with Ryder. Her dress was blue, but while Sophie’s dress was tight, it showed less cleavage than the other woman. “I think it’s beautiful, and she’s beautiful in it. Very much like your…wife.” His gaze narrowed atme, and I wasn’t going to be able to keep up this conversation. “We should go check on Lappy.”

I tugged on Sophie’s arm and she followed me.

Once we were a safe distance away, she let out a shuddering breath. “Maybe you should go find your teammate. I can get myself home.”

I stepped in front of her so she couldn’t avoid me. “It was just an excuse. Hanny can take care of Lappy—they both came on their own. Is there anything else we have to do?”

Sophie finished her champagne glass and took another from a passing waiter. “We should stay for the bidding.”

I studied her face, the way she wouldn’t look at me. She was an adult, perfectly capable of wearing a sexy dress if she wanted. And to decide when she’d had enough of this party, or of the champagne. But if she drank more, I wasn’t sure what she’d say or do. And I didn’t want her to have any more regrets than she already did. Her dad and her ex had done a number on her self-confidence.

I hated that Otts and Ryder had upset her. She was stunning in that dress. With her hair done up and makeup, her strong features were striking. In my opinion, much more interesting than the generically pretty women there, including Otts’s date or her stepmother. She looked incredible, and I was proud to have her with me. “I’ve done enough. Cian can represent us for the bidding. Let’s go.”

She looked around the room, then sighed and nodded. I messaged Hanny that we were leaving and called for the limo while we lined up to get her coat. The car was waiting when we left the arena. I held the door open and followed her inside. The limo slid away from the curb. Sophie still had that tight look on her face.

“You want to go home, or somewhere else?”

She blinked at me, obviously lost in her own thoughts. “I’m sorry. Did you want to stay, make a night of it? I told you I was happy to go home on my own.”

She didn’t look happy.

“I’m not good at those polite chitchat things and I was more than ready to leave. But did you want to stop somewhere and, I don’t know, have something to drink? Or get food, now that your ex isn’t around?” Or her dad, but I didn’t want to bring up more problems.

Her lips pinched when I mentioned Otts. “I’d just like to go home.”

“Sure.” I told the driver to continue on and settled back in my seat. Sophie was still abstracted, mouth frowning while she stared out the window.

This was none of my business. I didn’t get involved in drama and instead did my best to fly under the radar. But her dad was a self-absorbed dick. If Otts had done what I thought he’d done, he was an asshole. And since I’d exposed Sophie to be embarrassed, I was an asshole too.

“For the record, Otts is a jackass.” The words slipped out before I could reconsider.

Sophie turned to me with wide eyes, but the driver had arrived at the gates so she didn’t say anything till we had gone through and driven up to the house. I got out to help her and waved the limo off. I could walk back to the carriage house.

She watched the car go then turned to me. “How do you— What do you think Ollie did?”

I scratched at my chin. “I don’t want to make you feel bad.”

She slashed with her arm. “Just tell me what you know.”

“I don’tknowanything. I watched and listened. I don’t think anyone else noticed, except maybe Maria, but I’m guessing that part of the reason you and Otts broke up was about kids. Andnow he’s moved on to someone who has them, and didn’t give you a heads-up.”

She stared at me. “That’s what you concluded?”

I shrugged. I’d seen the way she reacted when Russo asked about Maria’s kids. And Otts had looked as guilty as possible.

She crossed her arms. “I can get pregnant, just so you know. I’m not pissed off because I’m barren.”

“Okay. Sorry.” I’d messed up, again, and probably made things worse. I should have kept quiet.

“It wasn’t me?—”

She cut off, but my eyes rounded as I got what she was saying. “You mean Otts…”

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