A shiver runs through me at the low growl in his words.
I’ve come to learn that Rhodes really likes the look of a ring on my finger, and I have to admit, seeing him all riled up about it does something to me I can’t explain.
It makes me feel good, desired…and confused.
I push that part away.
“I’m going to go check on the macaroni. Try not to let visions of humping and grinding and your par—”
“Ryan Bell!”
I cackle at the way his face reddens, then quickly slam the back door closed as he charges at me.
The door slides open shortly after, Maggie following me into the kitchen.
“Would you like some help?” she asks as I pull open the oven to check on the food. “I’m great in the kitchen.”
“Sure. Can you grab the toppings from the fridge and get them settled on the platter? The macaroni is nearly finished. Just need to let it broil a bit longer.”
“Of course.”
She busies herself gathering the toppings from the fridge and arranging them like they’re being photographed for some fancy food magazine.
I stop in front of the kitchen sink to wash my hands so I can help, when from the corner of my eye I catch Rhodes outside.
His head is thrown back in a laugh over something his father said, and he looks so…free. I’ve noticed that about him recently. How his smiles are coming easier, and his shoulders aren’t as weighed down by that invisible weight he seems to carry. I’ve even noticed that he full-on laughs at least twice a day now. A feat for him, really.
It’s…beautiful. He’s beautiful.
And right now, in this moment, with the sunlight hitting just behind him, he looks picturesque.
My hands ache for the weight of my camera to catch this moment.
“The way you look at him…” Maggie’s words draw my attention. “It’s…well, it reminds me of Oscar and myself.”
A twinge of guilt hits me, her comparing our fake marriage to their very real one.
“It does?”
“Yes. The way you love him is clear as day, and I have to say… I’m so happy. I’m so happy because I was so worried he wouldn’t ever find this kind of love. Not because he doesn’t deserve it or because of that damn scar that changed his life. But because I was scared he wouldn’t allow himself to be loved like this. With you, I don’t have that worry. He’s finally back to…well, himself.”
I wasn’t expecting her to say that. And I really wasn’t expecting the burn at the back of my throat.
I swallow, trying to find words. Any words.
But nothing comes.
She rests her hand on my forearm as I blink back the tears stinging my eyes. “I’m so glad you’ve found each other, Ryan. You’re good for him, and something tells me he’s good for you too.”
Something tells me…she’s right.
17
RYAN & RHODES
Ryan: Please don’t be mad at me.
* * *
Rhodes: Absolutely nothing good ever follows that.
* * *
Ryan: I need you to promise.
* * *
Rhodes: No.
* * *
Ryan: No you won’t be mad or no you’re not going to promise?
* * *
Rhodes: Just no. Whatever it is, no.
* * *
Rhodes: Okay, fine. Tell me. I’m curious.
* * *
Ryan: Well now I DON’T want to tell you because you’re going to be mad.
* * *
Rhodes: Just tell me.
* * *
Ryan: Nah.
* * *
Rhodes: Ryan…
* * *
Rhodes: Tell me.
* * *
Ryan: Or?
* * *
Rhodes: Or?
* * *
Rhodes: What do you mean OR?
* * *
Ryan: Tell you OR what? What are you going to do if I don’t tell you?
* * *
Ryan: Fly here?
* * *
Rhodes: YES. And spank you.
* * *
Rhodes: Except not in a fun way this time.
* * *
Ryan: It’s always a fun way. *smirk emoji*
* * *
Rhodes: Have I…unlocked a hidden kink?
* * *
Ryan: I’m not sure. We may have to test it more.
* * *
Rhodes: *warms palm up*
* * *
Rhodes: WAIT.
* * *
Rhodes: No.
* * *
Rhodes: Tell me what you were going to tell me.
* * *
Ryan: Nah.
* * *
Rhodes: Yes.
* * *
Ryan: No.
* * *
Rhodes: Don’t make me book a flight.
* * *
Ryan: You wouldn’t.
* * *
Rhodes: You’re right. I’ll just worry the whole night and play an awful game and that will be on YOUR shoulders.
* * *
Ryan: Wow. So that’s how you’re going to play it, huh?
* * *
Rhodes: Exactly like that.
* * *
Rhodes: Ryan?
* * *
Rhodes: RYAN?
* * *
Rhodes: Fine. But if I lose tonight, know it’s your fault.
* * *
Ryan: Okay, wow. That’s just mean.
* * *
Ryan: Poe puked in your bed.
* * *
Rhodes: Oh. Is that it?
* * *
Ryan: And your closet.
* * *
Rhodes: Oh.
* * *
Ryan: And in your shoes.
* * *
Rhodes: Which ones???
* * *
Ryan: And maybe on your couch too.
* * *
Rhodes: WTF
* * *
Rhodes: Okay, okay. It’s fine. No biggie.
* * *
Rhodes: What’s wrong with her?
* * *
Ryan: I took her to the vet and apparently she’s eating too fast. I think she’s scared Frodo is going to eat all her food, so she’s gobbling it down.
* * *
Rhodes: But they’re getting along so well.
* * *
Ryan: I know. But cats are weird.
* * *
Rhodes: Well, her throwing up on everything is fine. I’m not mad.
* * *
Ryan: So then you won’t be mad if I also tell you I spilled red wine on the couch?
* * *
Rhodes: …
* * *
Rhodes: You’re going to be the death of me.
* * *
Ryan: Am not. I’m cute.
* * *
Rhodes: And a pain in my ass.
* * *
Rhodes: I need to get ready.
* * *
Ryan: GO TEAM GO!
* * *
Rhodes: Death of me.
Ryan: You were so close on that goal! That ping off the crossbar was LOUD!
* * *
Ryan: Ugh. Fuck New York. That hit was bullshit. Totally dirty.
* * *
Ryan: Oh my god. You have to be kidding me?! They called THAT a trip??
* * *
Ryan: HOLY SHIT YOU SCORED!!
* * *
Ryan: Great. Now I’m wet.
* * *
Ryan: Ugh. Why does hockey make me so horny???
* * *
Ryan: Hmmm…maybe I should have gotten a new sex toy.
* * *
Rhodes: Okay, wow. We need to lay down a few ground rules.
* * *
Rhodes: #1: You CANNOT tell me you’re horny and wet when I’m hundreds of miles away. Well, you can, but only when I’m able to FaceTime you or something so we can take care of it together.
>
* * *
Rhodes: #2: If you’re getting new toys, I want to help pick them out. That way when you’re using them, you’ll think of me.
* * *
Ryan: I’d think of you anyway.
* * *
Rhodes: Hm. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re starting to like me.
* * *
Ryan: Your dick. I’m starting to like your dick.
* * *
Rhodes: It is a great dick.
* * *
Ryan: Yeah? I heard it was a burden. Too big to carry around.
* * *
Rhodes: Just the cross I have to bear.
* * *
Ryan: You’re exhausting.
* * *
Ryan: Good game tonight, btw. You did amazing.
* * *
Rhodes: Thank you.
* * *
Rhodes: I…I like it when you watch my games.
* * *
Ryan: Yeah? Guess I’ll have to keep watching then.
* * *
Rhodes: You’re only saying that because they make you horny.
* * *
Rhodes: Wait. Are you still horny? Did you…take care of yourself during the game?
* * *
Ryan: …
* * *
Rhodes: Oh fuck. You did, didn’t you?
* * *
Ryan: *zips lips*
* * *
Rhodes: Holy hell. I’ll be at the hotel in ten minutes. You’d better answer my call.
Ryan: Sorry tonight didn’t go good for you guys.
* * *
Rhodes: It happens. Had to break the winning streak at some point.
* * *
Ryan: *picture*
* * *
Ryan: This should make you feel better. They’ve been curled up like that together for the last hour.
* * *
Rhodes: That does make me feel a little better.
* * *
Ryan: I’m still surprised they’re getting along so well. Poe is a moody bitch half the time. Harper thinks it’s funny because Poe is grumpy and I’m not, and you’re grumpy and Frodo is the sweetest thing in the world. She thinks we adopted the wrong pets.
* * *
Rhodes: Harper may be onto something.
* * *
Ryan: I’m not telling her that. She’ll gloat too much.
* * *
Ryan: She says hi, btw.
* * *
Rhodes: Is she there?
* * *
Ryan: Yes. That’s okay, right?
* * *
Rhodes: Of course. It’s your place too.
* * *
Ryan: Does that mean I can hang some photos around here? I was teasing about the castle thing, but I’m starting to suspect I was right…
* * *
Rhodes: Go for it.
* * *
Ryan: Really???
* * *
Rhodes: Were you expecting a different answer?
* * *
Ryan: Honestly, yes.
* * *
Ryan: But I’m not about to look a gift horse in the mouth.
* * *
Rhodes: I do have a stipulation.
* * *
Ryan: Naturally.
* * *
Rhodes: It has to be your photos.
* * *
Ryan: I think I can manage that.
* * *
Rhodes: The bus to the hotel is leaving soon. Call you when I get there?
* * *
Ryan: Yes.
* * *
Rhodes: You should probably tell Harper to leave.
* * *
Ryan: Why?
* * *
Rhodes: Because I want to see you.
* * *
Ryan: Okay…
* * *
Rhodes: All of you.
* * *
Ryan: Oh. OH.
* * *
Ryan: Consider it done.
* * *
Rhodes: And Ryan?
* * *
Ryan: Yes?
* * *
Rhodes: That new toy you got?
* * *
Rhodes: Have it ready.
Ryan: *picture*
* * *
Ryan: Grams loves her jersey! She says thank you!
* * *
Rhodes: Anything to get her to stop wearing Collin’s number.
* * *
Ryan: Oh, she still has that. It was under her pillow earlier when I left.
* * *
Rhodes: I don’t get it. He’s not even that great.
* * *
Rhodes: I lied. He’s the most amazing defenseman on the team. Definitely the best.
* * *
Rhodes: Most handsome too.
* * *
Ryan: Hi Collin.
* * *
Rhodes: Hey Ryan. Your husband is a grump. You should send him more pictures of
* * *
Rhodes: Okay, wow. Ignore him. He’s an idiot.
* * *
Ryan: Now I’m curious what I need to send you more pictures of.
* * *
Rhodes: Nothing.
* * *
Rhodes: Though I wouldn’t complain about some sexy photos…
* * *
Ryan: I am not sending you nudes.
* * *
Rhodes: I never said anything about being nude.
* * *
Rhodes: I’m kidding anyway. You don’t need to send me photos.
* * *
Ryan: *picture*
* * *
Rhodes: HOLY FUCK
* * *
Rhodes: Is that…? In my jersey??
* * *
Rhodes: You’re seriously killing me right now. I still have to catch a flight home.
* * *
Ryan: You should probably hurry up then.
* * *
Rhodes: Ryan?
* * *
Ryan: Yeah?
* * *
Rhodes: I expect you to be wearing that when I get home.
* * *
Ryan: Yes, husband.
18
RHODES
I can’t remember a time when I was ever this eager to get a game over with.
We’ve been on the road for the last week, and all I want to do is crawl into my bed and wrap my arms around Ryan for a week straight.
Obviously, that week-straight part won’t happen, but still. I just want to be at home.
It has nothing to do with hockey either. We’re currently 9—2—1. We’re playing like the champions we are, and my numbers are looking damn good. I’ve put up four goals and five assists. I’ve never started a season this hot before. I feel good on the ice. My playing is at its all-time best. I feel rested and relaxed, and I’m making good plays.
Blind Pass (Carolina Comets) Page 15
