It’s Mother-Pucking Christmas!

2. Ryder

2

RYDER

I n the stands, the fans chanted the Icebreakers fight song, stamping their feet. I ignored them, focused on the scowling man in front of me. “You don’t have any leads?”

“We spent a lot of money on your security company,” Coach Kowalski said in his flat Rhode Island accent.

Hudson Wynter rubbed his jaw. “Even after spending a lot of time and money hunting this guy down and doing stakeouts, we just aren’t sure who this Crusher even is. This stalker goes old-school—no digital footprint, and they wear a disguise, usually some sort of inflatable Christmas character.”

“You’re supposed to be the best there is,” Coach Kowalski complained. “How do I know this Crusher”—he held up the latest note that had appeared on my car this morning—“isn’t going to come and kneecap my star player?”

“I assure you, my team is monitoring the fans. And I will personally be acting as a bodyguard for Mr. O’Connell.”

“Aww. Poor widdle Ryder needs a bodyguard,” my teammates teased.

Rick draped an arm around my padded shoulders. “Just pay me the money. I’ll stand outside College Boy’s apartment with a hockey stick and beat whoever comes near him. You’d get better results.”

“Shaddap, Utah!” Coach hollered at him, cuffing his helmet. “The only reason you’re even still on this team is because College Boy here is too nice for his own good and feeds you pucks.”

“I didn’t—” I began.

“I saw you!”

“There’s no ‘I’ in hockey team,” I murmured.

“There is in Arctic Avengers, and I bet that’s who’s after him,” Mike declared. “They couldn’t hire him away, and now they want to kneecap him.”

“I signed a contract with you all,” I said stubbornly. “I don’t go back on my word.”

“Not even for a salary worth a luxury SUV?” Pete grinned.

“This is a business.”

“My word isn’t about business. It’s about my reputation,” I said firmly. “You got me out of the beer league, Coach. You gave me a chance. I’m loyal.”

“You’re so sweet you make me sick, you know that?” Coach ruffled my hair.

“You see?” he barked at Hudson, “this is what I’m dealing with. This man has no sense of self-preservation. We’re only winning matches ’cause of him. Do something about this damn stalker!”

“I assure you,” Hudson said, “my best people are on this. And we are investigating the Arctic Avengers.”

“Forget stalkers, did someone bring their pugs to the game?” Erik did a double take.

“Yo, Pete, is that your puck bunny?” Mike joked.

“That’s my wife.”

All the personality dropped out of Hudson’s face, leaving the deadly cold gray eyes. We all shrank back. Hockey players might fight on the ice, but Hudson actually fought in actual combat in an actual war. Mike crossed himself, and he wasn’t even Catholic.

Two nice-looking girls slowly followed an elderly woman, who raced over. “Hi! Ryder! Hi!” The senior citizen waved.

“Granny Murray, I don’t think we’re supposed to be down here…”

“Live a little, Gracie!”

The pugs in Gracie’s arms barked at me.

“That’s him, Dakota!” The old woman grabbed the sleeve of the other pretty girl excitedly, pointing at me. “That’s the one I was telling you about.”

Coach and my teammates gaped. Hudson hissed out a breath.

“Hudson?” Gracie yelped.

“Why are you here?” the big man demanded. “Get out of here.”

Gracie dumped the pugs, her purse, and a big insulated cup in my arms then turned on Hudson, hand on her hip. “Now look here, mister, you didn’t tell me this was the job when I asked you about your plans this evening. It was all, NDA this, I have a contract that. These are the consequences of your actions.”

The pugs in my arms wagged their tails excitedly as my teammates petted them.

“Look. One of them is wearing a holiday sweater,” Utah cooed.

“Is it supposed to be lumpy like that?” I frowned down at the bug-eyed dog in the misshapen sweater.

“She has a C-suite job, asshole,” Dakota shot at me, the curse words shocking. “She doesn’t have time to sit around on her ass soaking her fucking feet and analyzing knitting patterns like you fucking lazy-ass Icebreakers.”

“Now, Dakota, be nice!” Granny Murray chided her. “Ryder isn’t making a mean comment. He likes sweaters and appreciates the art of knitting. He owns several handmade scarfs.”

I blinked.

One pug panted. The other licked my glove.

Hudson realized I was holding all of his wife’s stuff and grabbed it out of my arms.

“I like dogs. It’s okay,” I said quickly.

Coach made a See what I’m dealing with? gesture.

“And he likes dogs! Isn’t that adorable?” Granny Murray whipped out her phone and took a photo of me. “Ryder has a crocheted dog stuffie on his bed. Look at this picture I took a few days ago.” The old woman swiped on her phone.

“How did you—” Hudson’s eyes narrowed at the old woman.

“This stall at the Christmas market has the cutest little pillow of a husky in a Santa hat,” Granny Murray told me. “I’ll bring it the next time I’m over.”

“Holy fucking shit.” Fury bloomed on Hudson’s face.

Dakota’s mouth twitched into a smirk.

“Get her out of here!” Hudson bellowed to Gracie.

“We just got here! This is a scam!” Granny Murray argued. “I bought a ticket!”

“You’re stalking my client,” Hudson yelled at the old woman, who was completely unfazed by his anger.

My teammates’ eyes bugged out like the pugs’, then they all collapsed, howling with laughter, at my feet. Even Coach snickered into his gloves.

“You’re the Crusher?” My mouth dropped open. “You’re the one who’s been stalking me for the last five months?”

“Stalker? Pshaw!” Granny Murray was offended. “I’m not stalking anyone.”

“You’re going to be arrested.” Hudson bore down on the woman.

“Don’t arrest my grandmother,” Dakota snapped at him.

“She’s stalking him.” Hudson made a knife hand in my direction. “Do you know how much goddamn money this woman has cost me?”

“I’m not stalking. I’m leaving him presents and nice notes,” Granny Murray shouted.

Hudson slapped a hand to his forehead. “Notes? They’re fucking pornographic.”

“Now see here.” Granny Murray wagged her finger at the tall man. “I’m just trying to rile him up for Dakota.”

“You frightened him, Gran,” Gracie scolded.

“Oh my god.” Erik gasped at my feet, holding his side. “College Boy is afraid of a little old lady.”

I sputtered, “Shut your mouth, Canada.”

“Are you going to ‘oh heck’ him?” Pete snickered.

“Sonny, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. You seem like a nice boy.” The old woman patted me on the arm.

Hudson slapped her hand away.

“As an apology present”—she grabbed Dakota and pushed her toward me—“I will let you have sex with my granddaughter. She puts out, and her boobs are real.” She squeezed Dakota’s chest.

“Oh, uh…” I rocked back on my skates. “That’s very kind of you, ma’am, but no. No thank you.”

Dakota had the nerve to look offended.

My teammates’ mouths dropped open, then they laid into me.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Fucking Boy Scout.”

“Come on, Ryder!”

“Jesus Christ, College Boy.”

“Dude!”

“Shame! Shame to the family. Shame to the team…” Rick slapped his glove.

“I’m not having relations with her,” I stammered. “I don’t even know her.”

Dakota raised an eyebrow.

Pete muscled up to Dakota. “I’ll take the apology present, beautiful. I have a very nice hotel suite—hot tub, big bed. Expense account.”

“No! No expense accounts,” Coach barked.

Erik shoved Pete aside. “How about a two-for-one deal?”

Dakota looked interested. The pretty brunette put her finger to her lips like she was seriously thinking about it.

I sucker punched Erik.

“Hey!” Coach slapped the back of my head.

I didn’t even feel it.

“You’re not sleeping with her. Certainly not both of you, ingrates,” I snarled.

“Ooh, College Boy is mad!” Rick giggled.

“All of you, shut the fuck up!” Coach yelled. “Shaddap!”

I sniffed.

“Ryder, you’re kind of a prude.” Coach turned on me. “Dial it back. You’re almost thirty, for Chrissake, and for someone who says he wants a family, you’re about as effective as a panda in that department.”

Mike applauded.

“But they’re trying to… you know … with a fan. That’s against the rules,” I argued.

Coach sighed loudly.

“Oh.” Dakota piped up. “I am definitely not a fan. In fact, I hate your team. Arctic Avengers all the way. I’d never date the captain of the motherfucking Icebreakers. I will, however, sleep with you all.” She blew me and my teammates a kiss.

“Fuck that!” My friends refused. “We’re not traitors.”

“Dammit, Dakota!” Granny Murray scolded, “All that work down the toilet.”

“Definitely snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory,” Gracie said.

Dakota scowled.

“Well, that is how the Arctic Avengers do it.” I sneered at her.

Dakota gave me the finger. “I hope you lose all your teeth out there.”