Page 155 of The Shot You Missed
Cameras flash, reporters mingle with the group, asking questions, and through it all, I keep my arm around Indie’s waist or her hand in mine. I don’t let her go until we head to the locker room to shower, and even then, I promise to make it as quick as possible.
We have some celebrating to do.
“You sure you’reready for this?” I ask Indie before we walk into Chasers. “It’s a tradition to celebrate here, but it’s going to be crazier than normal.”
“Don’t worry, I’m good. I promise.” She interweaves the fingers of one hand with mine, while her other clings to my arm. “Just don’t let me go.”
“Never,” I vow.
The bar erupts in raucous cheers as we all saunter in like conquering heroes. Maddox with Isla, Ryder with Lexi, Griffinwith Mira, Logan with Blair and her brother Reed, and me with Indie. Lola and Megan follow behind us to round out the group. The roar is deafening, and with Indie protected between me and the others, I allow myself to relax and soak it up.
We’ll do our own private celebrations in the next couple of days, but the fans here have supported us through wins and losses. They’ve shown up even when we didn’t give them much of a reason to, so it was important to us to show up for them tonight.
People shake our hands, shout congratulations, take photos, and cheer as we make our way back to the massive corner booth that is unofficially ours. As we all pile in, I note with no small amount of satisfaction that it’s almost too small for us these days.
Less than three years ago, we had extra space. Sure, women would come and go occasionally. But the only permanent fixtures were me and my teammates.
Now look at us.
The five of us all happily paired up with women who fit into our family like they were meant to be part of it. Who challenge and support us and call us on our shit. Just six months ago, I didn’t think I’d be among their numbers. I’d accepted that I’d always be on the outside of their happiness looking in.
Then Indie showed up, like a beautiful apparition, and now here we are. She’s one of us. Part of me. The love of my life.
And I’m never letting her go again.
Several servers make their way over with trays laden down with beers and shots. They pass them out to everyone except Reed, who gets a Coke, and promise to return with one of every kind of appetizer on the menu. Ryder holds up his beer, surveying the crowded booth with a proud expression.
“To the Rogues, winning the Cup, and the family we’ve made along the way. I couldn’t have asked for better brothers.” Helooks down at his fiancée and the other women. “Or a better future wife and sisters.”
“Hear, hear,” everyone shouts, raising their glasses and clinking them together.
“To the best friends a guy could ask for,” Griffin adds.
“And to the first Cup, but not the last,” Logan says with a confident grin.
Laughing, I shake my head. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“We’re manifesting that shit, Bashy-cakes,” Griffin says.
Indie chuckles, resting her head on my shoulder. “Yeah, babe. He’s manifesting that shit.”
“See?” Griffin points at Indie. “Your girl gets it.”
“She does.” I press a kiss to the crown of her head, and the table breaks out in a chorus ofawwws.
Griffin opens his mouth to say something else when someone steps up to our booth and says, “Indigo.”
There’s so much resentment in the way the guy says her name that every head turns in his direction. Indie’s hand finds mine, and she squeezes hard.
“Seriously, Ryland?” Lola stands in her spot toward the edge of the booth. “Are you stupid? Indie told you to leave her alone.”
“This is the ex?” I ask Indie quietly. My voice is calm because I don’t want to stress her out, but my insides are boiling. This piece of shit dared to put his hands on her? I want to tear him apart.
She nods against me.
“How did you even know we were here? Are you stalking her?” Lola stands on her seat, and Megan grabs her hips when it looks like Lola’s ready to launch herself across the table and tackle Ryland.
He scoffs at Lola, dismissing her as a threat. Which is a mistake. She may be little, but I have a feeling Lola could fuck a guy up with the right motivation. And hurting her best friend?
