Chapter 7

Jayden

It’s fascinating to watch professional hockey practice. This is a first for me, making it hard to keep still in my seat and just observe. There’s hardly anyone in the stands, so I almost feel like I have it all to myself.

Except there is one guy who has my full attention. Ryder. He skates effortlessly across the rink like he’s a force of nature as his powerful frame glides along the ice. The Charleston Renegades are in full practice mode, and it's almost hypnotic to see them work together like a well-oiled machine.

"Hey, Jayden," Ryder calls out, panting slightly as he skates over to the plexi glass separating us. "Thanks for coming."

"Of course," I reply, my breath fogging up the glass as I lean in closer. "I wouldn't miss it."

Ryder cracks a small smile, and I grin back.

"Listen, we have a home game next week," he says, wiping sweat from his brow. "You should come. We could use all the support we can get."

"Absolutely," I agree without a second thought on possible homework or work schedule conflicts. "I'll be there." I’ll make it happen.

***

The energy in the stadium is wild as the Renegades secure their win. My heart races, adrenaline pumping through my veins as I cheer along with the crowd. When the game ends, I make my way to the parking lot to meet Ryder like he asked me to at his Jeep.

"Great game!" I exclaim as he opens the door for me, and I climb into the passenger seat.

"Thanks," he replies, his cheeks flushed from the exertion. "Couldn't have done it without you."

"Me?" I’m genuinely surprised. "What did I do?"

"Ever since you started coming to my games, we've been on a winning streak." His eyes are locked onto mine. "I think you're my good luck charm."

My cheek heat at the compliment. "Well, I'm happy to help."

We sit in the Jeep and for a while before I have to say my goodbyes for the night and head back home. I have classes in the morning that I’ll have to have a hard time waking up for if I don’t get a good night’s sleep.

Soon after, I’m in my kitchen leaning against the counter, sipping a glass of wine. My best friend and roommate, Mimi, sits on a stool across from me, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"Jayden," she begins hesitantly, "since you've been spending so much time with Ryder lately, does that mean you're finally over Rick the Prick?"

I nod without hesitation, taking another sip of my wine. "Yes. I don't even want to think about him anymore. I'm moving on."

I smile as I consider all the ways Ryder is unlike Rick. Unlike the man who broke my heart, Ryder has this intensity about him that seems to connect with my energy every time our eyes meet.

"Good for you." Mimi raises her glass in a toast. "You deserve better than that jerk."

"Thanks," I reply softly, clinking my glass against hers. Ryder is strong and fiercely protective, yet there's a gentleness beneath his rough exterior that I find incredibly endearing. Where Rick was selfish and manipulative, Ryder is genuine and caring.

"Ryder's different," I confess. "He's not like anyone I've ever met before. There's something about him that just... gets under my skin."

"Sounds like someone might be falling for the grumpy hockey player," Mimi teases, winking at me.

"Possibly," I admit with a shrug of my shoulder. "I really do think there could be something more between us – something real."

"Then go for it," Mimi urges. "You never know where it might lead."

I nod, and with a deep breath, I decide that it's time to push past the boundaries of our fake, arranged, or whatever we have going on as a relationship and see what else could be.