Page 79 of Wilder Puck
Eventually, the yawns start outnumbering the wisecracks and the guys begin making noises about heading home. Ryan stands to walk them out and I follow, accepting their sleepy hugs and murmuring thanks with a smile.
When the door closes behind the last of them, I slump against it briefly, tired but so happy. Ryan wraps an arm around my shoulders, tugging me into his side.
“I’m going to clean the kitchen while you eat the cookies you hid from them.”
I smile because he saw me hiding a dozen just for us.
He starts cleaning up as I sit on top of the counter, eating a few cookies.
And this, right here, is everything younger me ever wanted – this sense of partnership, of belonging. Ryan has given me a home in every sense of the word, and I can only pray I'm doing the same for him.
When the last dish is washed and put to dry, I offer him the tray of cookies.
I raise the cookie already in my hand to take my own bite, but he beats me to it, leaning in and capturing my mouth with his. I make a surprised noise in the back of my throat before melting into the kiss, my lips parting automatically.
I chuckle as he continues to peck my mouth. I kiss him back but end up feeding him the rest of my cookie. He kisses me one more time.
“I love living with you, Baddie.”
I hop off the counter, dusting off the crumbs on my hands. “I was afraid that was going to happen,” I joke.
He grabs my hips and kisses the top of my head. He watches me as I walk away to the bedroom that is no longer just his. It’s ours.
Chapter 24
“You trying to steal my position, bro?” Colton jabs me with his stick as I walk ahead of him. Practice just ended. “It’s clear that I need to get laid more because damn, you’re like fucking Elsa out there.”
Chase joins in, “Wilder could easily take any of our spots if his dad would let him.”
“Hey, now,” I warn. “He doesn’t control everything I do.”
“Right,” Chase laughs. “He’s only pushed you in the direction he wants to go.”
“I love being goalie, but don’t think I won’t try to take your positions in the future.”
Colton starts laughing. “Abusing your power much?”
I pat his back with my mitt. “I’m messing with you. Life is just good. I’m happy.”
He pats my chest. “Happy to hear it.”
Chase agrees.
“Wilder,” my dad barks appearing in the doorway, hands on hips as he surveys the team. For a second, I’m thirteen years old again, shaking in my skates at the sound of my father’sdisappointment. His eyes lighten when they meet mine, so the nerves leave my body. I don’t think I’m in trouble. “My office.”
I nod, setting my gear on the bench in front of my locker. The guys shoot me curious looks as I make my way across the room, a few eyebrows raised in silent question. I shrug, equally clueless.
Chase claps me on the shoulder as I pass, his expression sympathetic. “Godspeed, bro. If you're not back in ten, we'll assume he's finally snapped and sacrificed you to the hockey gods for a playoff berth.”
“If I'm not back in ten, avenge my death,” I deadpan. “And make sure Baddie knows I love her.”
That gets a few snickers.
Colton says, “I’ll make sure that woman’s still cooking even after you’re gone. We’ll sit on your grave and eat her homemade meals in honor of you.”
Andrew laughs at that one. The visual makes me laugh too.
I enter my dad's office. He's already sitting behind his desk, hands folded in front of him, but his posture is relaxed. Open.
