Chasing the Prize (Men of the Ice Book 5)

by Michele Shriver

  “Because I am naturally cynical about relationships.” There. She’d said it. Jessica didn’t like it, but it was a fact. But in her defense, everyone was a product of their experiences and their surroundings. And hers told her that this wouldn’t be something that worked out. It couldn’t be. “And because I’ve already spent enough time with Ryder to know what he wants most out of life,” she said. “It’s not a relationship. It’s not a family. It’s a silver trophy with a bowl on the top.”

  ***

  The first day of training camp consisted only of drills, focusing on skating, puck battles, and positional assignments. They’d get into scrimmage situations on day two, before taking the ice for the intrasquad Maroon versus Silver game on day three. After that, the team would head back to San Antonio for its first preseason game. Most of the younger prospects would probably not be with the team beyond that game, instead rejoining their junior leagues. But at least they’d get a taste of an NHL camp, and hopefully want a lot more.

  Ryder got to spend the afternoon session working with the newest addition, and it was easy to see why Ryan Howton-Canfield had impressed the team’s scouts enough to be drafted as a seventeen-year-old who hadn’t even finished high school. The kid’s moves were raw, and he needed to gain strength on the puck. He was a prospect, in every sense of the word, and wouldn’t be ready for the pro leagues for several years, but he skated well and had a powerful shot. It wasn’t hard to imagine him eventually wearing a Generals uniform, especially since the team’s management had preached from the beginning a desire to develop talent from within.

  “Mr. Carrigan?” Ryan approached him after they’d wrapped up their drills session.

  “My name is Ryder. We’re teammates now.” Even if the kid was twelve years younger.

  “Yeah, for a couple more days, ‘til I get sent back home.” Ryan brushed his damp, sandy blond hair away from his youthful face.

  To finish high school. Not a bad gig. ‘How’d you spend your summer vacation?’ ‘Oh, I participated in my first NHL training camp.’ Could anyone top that? Ryder doubted it. “Hey, if you keep on working hard, you’ll be in San Antonio in no time. Or at least here in El Paso for starters.”

  “I’m cool with that,” the kid said. “My mom went to law school not far from here, in Grande Valley. Anyway, I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed practicing with you today. I know you don’t remember, but I met you nine years ago when you played for the Hartford Wolfpack. You signed my jersey.”

  Ryder didn’t remember. He’d spent two years in Hartford before being called up to the Rangers, and met plenty of kids during that time, and signed plenty of ball caps, pucks and jerseys. He must’ve made an impression on this one. “Wow. Small world.”

  “For sure. Anyway, I’d just started playing hockey at the time, and you were my favorite player. So being here, practicing with you, this is a dream.”

  “Thanks, Ryan. You’ve earned this, though. You’ve got real talent,” Ryder said. “Who knows? Maybe we’ll play on a line together in a few years.” It wasn’t entirely impossible. At thirty, Ryder still had some good years left in his career, and he hoped to finish it with the Generals.

  “Man, that would be awesome.” The kid grinned. “No matter what, this will be the best three days of my life,” he said. “And I hope you guys win the Cup this year.”

  “Me, too,” Ryder said. “We’re going after it.” Eyes on the prize. There was no room for distractions. Too bad he couldn’t stop thinking about Jessica Rowan and when he might see her again. Damn it, Ryder. Get a grip. Get your priorities right.

  Chapter Seven

  It took a few days, but Ryder did call, and Jessica wasn’t sure how to handle it when he did. She’d wanted to hear from him again, certainly. But she hadn’t expected it. Then suddenly there he was, calling her at the news station, exactly as she’d told him he could do.

  “How was El Paso?” she asked, after struggling to know what to say.

  “Hot.” Ryder laughed. “But it’s hot here, too. We had a good camp, though. Excited about some of the new kids coming in, even if they’re heading back to juniors soon. We have a good future,” he said, and it was impossible to miss the enthusiasm in Ryder’s voice.

  “That’s good,” Jessica said.

  “Yeah. So how are you?” he asked.

  “I’m okay. Busy. There was a sexual assault on the university campus.”

  “Ouch,” Ryder said. “I’m sorry.”

  “Reporting violent crimes is never a fun part of my job,” Jessica said. “Especially crimes against women.”

  “I’m sure. So what’s your schedule like?” he asked. “I mean, you get to eat dinner, right?”

  “Yes,” Jessica said, chuckling a little. What was he getting at? It was hard to tell. “I do the news at six.” She glanced at her watch. It was close to four, meaning rush time was about to start. That last frantic period before they went live on the air. “It goes until six thirty, but I’m sure you knew that. After that, I’m sort of free for a couple of hours, before it’s time to do the race all over again to be ready for ten o’clock.” It was a hectic pace, for sure, but one Jessica loved, even if she did wonder how it would all work if she ever got married and had a family. Assuming anyone would ever want to put up with this schedule.

  “So do you leave? After the six o’clock, I mean?”

  “I can...” Jessica hedged. “Usually, I stay. I like to use the time to prep for the late newscast.” That and she had no life, but she was less inclined to admit that. “You never know what might happen.” Was she making excuses now?

  “Sure, right,” Ryder said. “But it sounds like you do get a break for dinner, even if you don’t want to leave the station. Is that right?”

  “Something like that.” Insisting otherwise would only be lying.

  “Perfect,” Ryder said. “Then I’ll bring dinner by for the two of us, after the early the newscast. Does that sound like a plan?”

  Any protest that Jessica might have faded quickly. Who could resist a handsome hockey player bringing them dinner, even if the relationship didn’t ultimately go anywhere? “Sure, yes. I look forward to it.”

  “Then I’ll see you soon,” Ryder said, before hanging up.

  Jessica set down the phone and buried herself in her work for next hour and a half. If Ryder showed up, great. If not, she wouldn’t be shocked and she wouldn’t dwell on it. She’d grab something from the cafeteria and get ready for the late news. It was what she did, day in and day out. And most of the time, Jessica still loved it, even if she did want more.

  The alleged sexual assault at the university captivated the start of the news, along with a robbery on the east side. Combine that with Generals training camp, anticipation of the Spurs season, the upcoming university football game and the possibility of thunderstorms, and it made for a busy newscast with a lot to report.

  “And fade. We’re off the air in five. Four. Three. Two. One, and clear,” the news director announced. “Good job.”

  Jessica breathed a sigh of relief. Even after doing this for six years, and knowing the routine like the back of her hand, she still experienced both the nerves of going live on the air, followed by the rush of adrenaline as the newscast shifted from the “headline” news to the weather and sports, and finally the sense of accomplishment as it all ended. At least until they did it all over again at ten o’clock.

  “Nice job, Neil,” Jessica said to her co-anchor. She unclipped the microphone from her shirt and pushed back her chair.

  “You, too,” he said. “Are you heading out for a bit now?”

  She shook her head at the usual question, never knowing quite what to make of it. Neil was recently divorced. Was he simply being friendly, or interested in more? Either way, Jessica didn’t want to jeopardize a good working relationship. “Not tonight. I have a friend coming by with dinner,” she said. “I’ll see you back here for the next race.” Hopefully that wasn’t too abrupt.

&n
bsp; “Jess?” The station manager approached her as she left the set. “You do have a guest. He’s waiting in conference room B,” she said, then added with a wink, “And he’s cute.”

  Jessica laughed at the same time she rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know he is. Thanks, Missy.”

  ***

  Ryder got to the news station just as Jessica and her co-anchor were about to go live for the early newscast, and was allowed to watch from the control room. Two things had immediately struck him: The newsroom was smaller than it appeared on TV, and Jess was a total professional. The skill and apparent ease with which she and her co-anchor moved between news segments impressed Ryder, especially since it seemed as if the news director was constantly barking orders. Then again, he could relate to that, because Coach Moreau never shut up, either.

  As the broadcast neared its conclusion, Ryder was told he could wait in the conference room, and he used the time to set up their dinner, which he’d picked up from the deli a block over from the station. It wasn’t anything fancy, but Ryder hoped Jess would appreciate the gesture.

  The door pushed open. “Ryder? Missy said you were in here. Hi.”

  “Hi.” She looked different than she had the day they’d gone to the jazz festival, with her hair styled with soft waves, and more makeup, which Ryder figured was for television. Either way, she was beautiful. “Great job.”

  “Oh, you saw some of it?” Jessica asked.

  “All of it.” Ryder smiled. “I got here right before you went live.” He’d done it on purpose, hoping he’d be allowed to watch. “You weren’t kidding about a busy news day.”

  “It’s crazy. Sometimes Neil and I joke that there’s something in the city water supply, or people took their stupid pills.” She shook her said. “But it’s good for our ratings, at least. I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, ‘If it bleeds, it leads.’ Today was one of those days when we weren’t even sure which blood to lead with,” Jessica said dryly. “We may change it up for ten, since we have multiple options.”

  “That’s rough,” Ryder said, understanding more about the high-pressure job she worked in.

  Jessica shrugged. “Unfortunately, I’m pretty used to it.” Her eyes scanned the table. “I see you made good on your promise to bring dinner. This looks great. Is it from JP’s around the corner?”

  “Yep. I hope that’s okay.”

  “Better than okay. It’s one of my favorite places.” She pulled out a chair and sat down. “If you by chance brought a turkey and provolone on a Ciabatta, with pesto mayo, I might love you forever.”

  It was clearly a joke, and Ryder was happy to play along. “In that case, we better get married,” he quipped, pointing at one of the wrapped sandwiches. “That one’s the turkey. I thought it sounded good, too.”

  “Oh, did you have your heart set on it?” Jessica frowned. “Because I can have something else...”

  It was gracious to make the offer, especially when Ryder sensed Jessica didn’t want to. No way would he take her up on it and deny her her favorite sandwich “No, please. That one’s yours. I’ve fine with the ham and Swiss.” He sat down and unwrapped the sandwich. “I can always come back, now that I know the place.”

  “And hopefully provide me with delivery,” Jessica said.

  “Well, I suppose. We are engaged, after all.” Ryder hoped the joke hadn’t grown stale, and fortunately Jess laughed.

  “Now you know that the way to my heart is apparently through my stomach.” She took a bite of her sandwich and washed it down with a swallow of soda. “Did you by chance bring the double fudge brownies for dessert?”

  “I did,” Ryder confirmed. It appeared he’d done quite well with his food selections.

  “Yep. Then it’s love.” Jessica grinned as she opened a bag of the kettle chips. “Are you staying for the late newscast, too?”

  He shook his head. “No, we have a game tomorrow, so I shouldn’t be out too late, and I know you have work to do. I’m hoping you’ll show me around a little after we eat, though. If you have time before you prepare for the ten o’clock.”

  “I do,” Jessica said. “And I’m sure our sports reporter would love to meet you.”

  ***

  They ate and talked and laughed, and as Jessica polished off one of JP’s famous fudge brownies, she wasn’t quite ready for their date, if that’s what it was, to end, and to have to go back to the set.

  “How much time do you have?” Ryder asked, as if sensing her reluctance.

  Jessica glanced at her watch. “Twenty minutes, tops, on a day like today.” If it were a quiet news day, she might take more, but now she wouldn’t risk it, no matter how attractive the company might be.

  “I’ll go, then,” Ryder said, pushing back his chair. “I don’t want to leave you rushed.”

  “I appreciate that, but at least let me introduce you to Brian, our sports guy.”

  “Sure, I’d like that.”

  Ryder helped her clean up the trash, and even let her have the last of the brownies to save for later, which Jessica gladly accepted. By the time she finished the late news, she’d be ready for a chocolate fix.

  They left the conference room, and she found her colleague at work at his computer. “Brian? I have a friend I thought you’d want to meet.”

  The sports reporter turned away from his computer monitor and his eyes widened. “You’re... Ryder Carrigan. From the Generals.”

  “I am.” Ryder laughed and extended his hand.

  “Brian Sparks. I cover sports here, and I’m a fan. I wish they’d send me out to some of your games, but there’s only so much manpower and budget.”

  Ryder nodded. “So I guess we need to win a playoff series for you guys to take us seriously.”

  Jessica was momentarily alarmed. Was Ryder offended that her station didn’t expend more resources on covering his team? No. He seemed to be smiling. That was a good thing.

  He made small talk with Brian for a few minutes before saying, “I should probably go, and let both of you get back to work.”

  Jessica walked him to the door. “Thanks again for bringing dinner. I appreciate it.”

  “I’m happy to do it. I wanted to see you again.” Ryder rested his hand against the doorframe. “You’re off tomorrow, right? Since it’s the weekend?”

  Jessica nodded. “Yes. Our weekend crew will be here.” She’d welcome the break after such a busy week. “Why? Don’t you have a game tomorrow?”

  He nodded. “Yep. Against Colorado. I’m hoping you’ll come watch us.” He smiled. “I mean, I’ve seen what you do now. It’s only fair for you to see what I do, what a day on the job is like for me.”

  Chapter Eight

  Jessica found herself sitting in the eighth row, center ice, in a group that included Kristie Gray, wife of Alex, Angie Rollins, wife of Seth, Maya Dominguez, fiancée of team captain, Colton Tremblay, and an attractive redhead named Kendall Myers, whom Jessica learned dated the Generals’ goaltender, Becker Lawson. Was this her official indoctrination into the WAGs club? She wasn’t sure she was ready for that, not after only two dates. Yet here she was.

  “Is Dani going to be here?” she asked. Not that the other women didn’t all seem friendly enough, but she already had some prior acquaintance with Dani. The others, she’d met less than an hour ago.

  Kristie shook her head. “I doubt it, since Trevor’s not in the lineup tonight,” she said. “Preseason, so they’re evaluating different players. It’ll be a mix of veterans and rookies.”

  “Oh, right.” Jessica nodded. Ryder had mentioned something about that. Without the full team of veterans, he would be playing on the top line, alongside Colton, something she knew he looked forward to. “What about the new kid?” she asked. “The one they just drafted, who’s still in high school.”

  “Back in history class, probably,” Maya remarked. “He was sent home when the team left El Paso. Talented kid, but not ready for the big leagues.”

  “Oh.” So much for trying to sou
nd as if she knew what she was talking about. “Sorry. I’m pretty new to this.”

  Kendall gave her a sympathetic smile. “That’s okay. So am I. Though I suppose I’m maybe at a slight advantage since my son plays hockey and is a huge fan of the team.”

  “We were all new to this at one time,” Kristie said. “Heck, I didn’t know the difference between a face off and a tip off when I first met Alex.” She laughed. “Now I’m obsessed with hockey, to the extent that I can quote fancy stats like Corsi and Fenwick.”

  Angie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, Kris is our resident hockey geek. That stuff goes straight over my head. Anyway, you don’t have to be a statistics nerd to enjoy the game. A basic, working knowledge is fine. You know, like try to put the puck in the other team’s net, and keep it out of your own.”

  “I can handle that much,” Jessica said.

  “Great,” Maya said. “Then welcome to the club.”

  So Jessica had been right. It was a club. “Thanks, I guess, but I’m not sure I’ll be back for more games,” she said. “I work most nights, and besides, Ryder and I aren’t actually a couple.”

  “Really, now?” Angie laughed. “You could’ve fooled me. I mean, you’re here, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, but...”

  “But nothing,” Maya interrupted. “Look, we all know Ryder. He’s Mr. Serious. Always so focused that the guys on the team, especially Noah, insist he doesn’t even know to kick back and relax. I don’t even think he had a date last year. He was probably studying film after every single loss. So for him to invite you here, to watch him play? That’s a very big deal.”

  “She’s right,” Kristie said. “We all expect to see you again at future games.”

  “Oh,” Jessica said. Apparently it was her new word of the night, proving that news reporters weren’t always eloquent. She settled back into her seat, unsure what else to say. “Go Generals.”

  ***

  The energy inside the building was palpable, especially for a preseason game, and as soon as Ryder took the ice with the rest of the guys for warm-ups, he could tell they were in for a special season. Their fans were ready for hockey again. It seemed that the Generals’ surprise appearance in the playoffs in their inaugural season, followed by the sting of the round loss, had whet their appetites for more. Ryder might want the Stanley Cup so badly he could practically taste it, but if the intensity of the crowd was any indication, they wanted it, too.