The Christmas You Crash (Going Rogue #2)

Chapter 50

fifty

RYDER

I’m dreading practice tonight. Lexi knows it, too. It’s probably why she hasn’t detangled herself from me, even though we both need to shower and get dressed so I can drive her home. I don’t want her to miss class because of me. I also don’t want her to worry. So, even though I know she’s smart enough to infer what’s going on in my head, I haven’t come out and said it.

I don’t regret the things I said to Coach. Not even for a moment. That doesn’t mean I’m not freaking out. Hockey has been my life for so long. It was the thing that kept me sane after my mom’s death. And what kept me going after my dad’s. Who the hell would I even be without the game? And what will I do for a job if all of this implodes?

I make decent money, but a rookie’s salary is nothing compared to a player like Maddox, Griffin, Logan, or Sebastian. They’ve proven themselves to be invaluable. They’re stars in their own rights and have the endorsements to validate that. I’m not there. Not yet. Though, this season has been a huge step in that direction. If things keep going the way they have, I could be looking at a huge raise on my next contract and endorsements of my own.

That is, if Arthur Cross doesn’t do whatever he can to torpedo my career with the Rogues.

“I’m going to take a shower,” Lexi finally murmurs. She gives me a slow kiss before lifting onto her elbows and staring down at me. A crease forms between her eyebrows. “Do you regret it?”

That jars me from my worries. I blink a few times. Cupping her cheek, I shake my head. “Hell, no. I mean, I regret that it went down the way it did. I’m still pissed at your dad for hurting you. But I will never regret choosing you. I need you to know that.”

Her brow smooths out, and Lexi gifts me with a sexy smile. “Just wanted to make sure. You going to join me?”

Hell, I want to join her in the shower. But we really do need to get ready, and if I’m in a steamy, enclosed space with the woman I love as water sluices down that perfect body? We won’t leave. I groan. “God, I want to say yes, but it’s probably not the best idea.”

The bed shakes as she giggles. “True. I won’t take long.”

“Take as long as you need, Oscar.”

I watch Lexi’s perfect, naked ass sway as she saunters across the room and into the en-suite bathroom. Groaning, I grab my phone. It’s been on silent, so I haven’t heard if any calls or texts came through. I’m almost nervous to look. The last thing I want to see is a missed call from my agent. He’s a good guy, but he’s pretty hands off unless we’re working on something. If he calls out of the blue, I know I’m fucked.

But there are no calls or texts from my agent. Or from Arthur Cross. Though, it does appear I’ve been added to a group text with Maddox, Griffin, Sebastian, and Logan. And they’ve been texting up a storm since six this morning.

I scan the messages, laughing at some of the ridiculous crap they’ve said, even as my chest tightens with emotion. They’re checking up on me. They care. And not just about me, but about Lexi too.

Logan

It’s almost noon, and no one has heard from Ryder. Should we do a welfare check? Maybe Coach murdered him.

Griffin

He’s probably balls-deep in Hot Cross Buns, dude. We’ll give him another hour.

Sebastian

SMH. Don’t be an ass.

Griffin

What? You’d be balls-deep in your woman, too, if you weren’t such a monk.

Sebastian

I’m not a monk.

Logan

When’s the last time you took a woman home, Navarro?

Sebastian

When’s the last time you DIDN’T, Byrne?

Maddox

Children. Stop fighting.

Griffin

Sorry, Daddy.

Maddox

Fuck, Wright. I’m your goddamn best friend. If you ever call me daddy again, I’m going to kick your ass.

Griffin

Oooh, kinky.

Maddox

I can’t believe my sister agreed to room with you.

Logan

I can’t, either. Mira is way too cool to be slumming it with Wright.

Sebastian

There’s no accounting for taste.

Griffin

All the women I’ve been with say I taste incredible. So, ha.

Maddox

FFS. I’m kicking you out of the chat.

Griffin has been removed from the chat

Maddox

Much better.

Logan

Great. Now he won’t stop blowing up my phone. I’m adding him back.

Griffin has joined the chat

Griffin

I’m back, bitches.

Sebastian

Dude. Don’t be derogatory.

Griffin

Don’t be such a bitch.

Griffin has been removed from the chat

Sebastian

Why do we love him, again?

I’m shaking with laughter by the time I get to the last text. I’m still nervous about practice tonight, but the guys have my back. Everything will be okay. I take a deep breath and tap out a reply.

Me

I’m alive. You guys can stop worrying. Just had my phone on silent.

Maddox

Hey, man. You okay?

Logan

I’m adding Griffin back again.

Griffin has joined the chat

Griffin

STOP KICKING ME OUT OF THE CHAT, ASSHOLES.

Sebastian

Ryder texted. He’s okay. Just had his phone on silent.

Griffin

Oh, good! Sorry for the balls-deep comment, man.

Me

LOL. All good. Just don’t say shit like that in front of Lexi, or she’ll kick your ass.

Griffin

Yeah, my roommate would kick my ass too.

Maddox

How’s Lexi?

Me

IDK. Hurt. Worried about how this is going to affect my career.

Sebastian

We’re here for both of you. Lexi’s cool. I’m sorry she had to hear her dad say all that trash.

Me

Thanks. I’m sorry too. I can’t believe he’s so blind to how amazing she is.

Maddox

I told Isla about what happened. She invited Lexi to sit with her and Mira in the family box at the next game. I told her I’d bring it up with you now that the cat’s out of the bag and all.

Griffin

Yeah, Mira said to tell her she hopes she comes. The ladies really like Lexi and want to get to know her better.

Me

Thanks, guys. I’ll ask her. I think she’d like that.

Logan

It would certainly send a message to her dad.

Sebastian

Yeah, and if he tries to throw a fit about it, we’ll have your back.

Maddox

The ladies want to take her to dinner before the game too. Then we can all go to my place afterward.

A feeling of peace settles over me. There are still so many unknowns with all of this, but I’m not alone anymore. My dad was always there for me. His tireless support pushed me to achieve my dreams. Seeing the proud look on his face after I gave it my all during a game kept me going in a way I couldn’t explain.

When he died, I did the only thing I could. I kept pushing myself. Because it’s what he would have wanted. He would have hated to see me give up my dreams just because he wasn’t there to cheer me on. But each victory felt hollow without him there.

And at the end of every game, when other guys were hugging their girlfriends or wives and embracing their kids, I was alone. I walked out of the locker room alone. Through the family room alone. And out to my car alone. Then I’d go home to an apartment that wasn’t really home, and I was alone there.

I’m not alone anymore.

A plume of steam escapes the bathroom as Lexi opens the door and walks out with wet hair, a pair of tight jeans, and an oversized sweater. My heart squeezes. She’s so damned beautiful. The woman is full of light and life. After everything I’ve witnessed between her and Coach, I wouldn’t blame her if Lexi was angry and guarded. But she’s not. A little grumpy, maybe, but she’s fun and quirky and she embraces life.

And I’m never giving her up.

It’s probably too soon to be thinking about forever, but I don’t care. Because watching Alexis Cross walk across the room toward me, I know—I’m going to marry this woman. We’re going to grow old together. Maybe we’ll have a couple of kids or travel the world. I don’t know and I don’t care. Everything else is a minor detail. We’ve got time to figure it out.

“Feel better now that you’ve showered?” I ask her as she towels off her hair.

“Much.” Her eyes twinkle. “I was feeling a little sticky.”

That has me laughing. She’s not wrong. I’m in the same boat. “Before I hop in the shower, I wanted to run something by you. The guys said Isla and Mira invited you to go to dinner with them before the next home game. Then they’d like you to join them in the family box. After the game, Maddox and Isla will have everyone over. What d’you think?”

Lexi’s lips twist to the side and she hums. “Are you sure it’s a good idea for me to go to the game?”

“Honestly?” I shrug. “I don’t see what difference it will make. Your dad knows about us now. Hell, everyone on the team knows. What good is hiding?” Once I’ve untangled myself from the sheets, I climb out of the bed and wrap Lexi in my arms. She’s warm and soft. When she sighs and rests her head on my chest, I’m gone.

I love this woman.

“I guess you’re right. It’s just… I don’t know. I’m still hurt by the things he said.”

“I know you are. And I don’t want to pressure you. If you don’t want to come to the game, I’ll completely understand. And so will the ladies.” And I would understand. But I can’t deny that I hope she’ll come. I don’t want Coach to think he’s won. And if we keep hiding our relationship, he will.

Lexi sighs and wraps her arms around my waist. “I do want to get to know Isla and Mira better. Dinner would be fun. And I love watching you play. Your ass looks great in those pants.”

I give her ass a light slap. “You can’t even see our butts in those pants.”

“It’s the mystery of it all.” Silent laughter shakes her body against mine.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“You love it.”

“I do.” I kiss her head. “So, what do you think?”

“I’m in.” She sucks in a deep breath as she meets my gaze. “Your next home game is in two days. That gives me plenty of time to work up my courage.”

Courage is something Lexi has in spades, even if she doesn’t realize it. Hell, she faced off with me naked and with nothing more than an empty wineglass when she thought I was there to murder her. She’s gone after her dreams without the support of her dad. She had the courage to give her mom and Jeff a chance, even when she thought the worst, and a big enough heart to admit when she was wrong and mend those relationships.

I kiss her gently. Lovingly. “You’ve got this, OTG. And I’ve got you.”

“I know you do,” she replies with nothing but trust in her eyes.

“I’ll just tell the guys and take a quick shower. Gotta get you home, so you’re not late to class.”

Grabbing my phone, I shoot off a text, letting the guys know that Lexi’s in for all of it. Maddox tells me that Isla will text Lexi that evening to make dinner plans. Then I take the fastest shower of my life, because I can’t stand to be away from my girl. Not even for a few minutes.