Page 87 of Wilder Puck
“Night, Ry.”
I end the call and slide my phone back into my pocket, turning to find Addie watching me with a soft, curious expression.
“Did you tell the whole team about our fight?” she asks, but there's no judgment in her voice. Just a hint of surprise and maybe even a little curiosity.
I playfully wince. “Believe it or not, they’re the ones who told me I fucked up by going behind your back with the rent thing. It was my decision to do that, but once I told them, they told me to undo it, so I did. Said I couldn’t do that kind of shit. It’s not right.”
“They were right,” she whispers with a smirk.
“And yeah, I kind of freaked out when you left. I needed some advice. They also called me out on my bullshit back when we first started this whole friends-with-benefits thing. Said I was kidding myself if I thought I could keep my feelings out of it.”
Her eyebrows shoot up, a surprised laugh bubbling out of her. “Oh my god. So, they know everything?”
“Almost. Not everything.” I keep my eyes on her and she’s blushing.
“I’m sorry,” she chuckles. “I’m having a hard time imagining a bunch of hockey players sitting around the locker room sharing secrets.”
I shrug. “Hey, it happens. Oh, you know the list I sent you? Yeah, they begged to read my list, but the idea of it was all theirs.”
She looks at me through her lashes. “Ryan!” she laughs. “No way. You’re taking solid advice from them? Maybe I need to cook for them more often. Thank them for keeping you in check.”
I chuckle, loving the hell out of that thought. “They would race over here if you tell them that.”
“I love that they’re your family. They’re good guys.”
Speaking of family. “I talked to my dad. Or I guess I should say my dad had a talk with me.”
“Oh?” She stills. “How did it go?”
I brush a strand of hair off her forehead, letting my fingers linger on her smooth skin. “Really well, actually. He apologized for the way he acted at my party. Said he was projecting his own past hurt onto me and that it wasn't fair.”
“Wow.” Addie blinks rapidly like she's trying to process this unexpected information. “That's really big of him.”
“I thought so too. He also said he was happy for me. For us. That he can see how much you mean to me, and he supports it fully.”
She smiles brightly. “He said that? Really?”
I nod. “He’s glad to see me happy.”
“And you are?”
“What?” I ask confused for a moment.
“Happy? Are you happy?”
I grab her, pulling her body into mine. I stare into her eyes for a few silent beats. “Baby, I’ve never been happier.”
And then we're kissing, slow and sweet and so full of promise it makes my head spin. This woman, god. I’m weak in the knees.
And finally, in all the years we’ve known each other, I'm not afraid to tell her that. To show her with every touch, every word, every breath that I’m completely gone for her.
We've wasted so much time, dancing around our feelings. Hiding behind jokes and bad flirting, fuckbuddies, and somewhat of a fake relationship.
But from now on, I'm all in. No more secrets, no more pretending, and no more avoiding. Just me and her and this crazy, beautiful friendship that evolved into something I didn’t know was possible. I could never imagine it could be this good.
Addison Christina Montgomery, I hope you're ready. Because now that I've got you…I'm never letting you go.
Not for anything. Not for anyone.
