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"Well, that was an aard moment," I hear fronize Ryker's voice

He takes a seat on the stool next to me and the bartender approaches Ryker waves hi"

I take another sip of beer, this one bigger, and stare down into the ao away

It's not that I don't like hireatest goalies, and his perfors that helped us secure the Stanley Cup last year He's a seasoned veteran with a good head on his shoulders Nice guy too All the guys look up to him

About the only thing Iinvolved with Gray Brannon, because she's a woman that I just don't understand or connect with, but whateverto each his own

"Sucks, buddy," Ryker says, and even claps his hand on lare at hi woh you're securely off the market"

"Whathe gets offended by my failure to reassure him that I'd never cheat on Lexi

That just ive their girls pink teddy bears wouldn't consider dipping their wicks into soe"

"Would you speak English for fuck's sake," I gruain, but I have to take another sip of hten the mood

"Don't worry about Gray," Ryker says, and that piques ain "She knows that's part of the lifedealing with that crap"

"But she doesn't trust rimly

"She doesn't know anything but your past reputation," he counters "Give her time"

I stare at Ryker for a uy But sadly, I can't say the saet there I don't tell hih, as Ryker's likely to throw a punch atto back to my beer, "Appreciate the advice"

"Sure you do," he says with a laugh, then claps me on the shoulder one more time as he stands frolad to see you and Lexi together She clearly adores you"

I try to ignore the war that statement produces in my chest, but I do look up at him and smile "Thanks I'll deny it if you repeat this, but I really like her too I would never abuse her trust"

"I know," he says genially "I could tell you were totally uncomfortable with that situation Gray may not have seen it, but fuckI've been in that situation, and it sucks balls"

"What in the hell should I have done?" I ask, curious now that I know Ryker's been through this

"You just have to be ready for it, and when you're asked to do things out of your coracefully come up with a work-around It will come more naturally to you the more it happens"

"I don't want it to happen," I gruht to my room from the bus"

Ryker laughs and shakes his head "You'll never do that because you don't want to deprive the kids and legit fans Just have a canned response ready Soirlfriend would like that' That covers a wide variety of situations"

Hmmmmthat does sound pretty simple, and I vow to myself I'll do that the next time

"Thanks for the advice," I tell him as I stand fro, and put the half-e to Ryker, I say, "Now, Lexi's expectingwith you, I'dto her"

Ryker snorts and we turn to walk to the elevators together

Chapter 25

Lexi

I look at the tiain, then my texts to see that Roman still hasn't responded to ia, who is sitting at her desk doing paperwork Pushing up out of one of the cheap secondhand guest chairs, I tell her, "I'oing on"

Georgia looks up at 's fine"