Getting Lucky - Jennifer Lazaris Page 0,45
she knew he could be. The man he’d wanted to be for so long.
She smiled at him and cuddled close. “Let me see if I can make you even happier.”
Ryder laughed and wrapped his arms around her. “I can get used to this.”
EPILOGUE
Nine months later
“Jesus, get a room.” Fally rolled his eyes as Ryder pulled Zoe in for a kiss.
They’d stopped in for a beer at Callahan’s after having dinner at Nic’s restaurant on the Strip.
Nic elbowed Fally in his ribs. “Don’t let him get to you. I think it’s sweet.” She turned toward her husband. “You could do more of that, Fally. You could learn something from Ryder.”
Fally made a face. “God help us all. You see the trouble you get me in now, Irish? Thanks a lot. I can learn something from you.”
Ryder slung his arm around Zoe. “He blames me for everything.”
Zoe laughed. “You blame him for everything, too. On and off of the ice.”
Ryder grinned. “He’s my brother from another mother. I have to give him hell. It’s in my contract.”
“He’s still blaming me for the post I hit in the last playoff game,” Fally joked.
“He’s not the only one,” Nic told Fally. “Joke all you want, I think you’re still having nightmares over that.”
The Kingsnakes had lost 4—3 to L.A. in the Western Conference Finals. The playoff series lasted seven games, with L.A. scoring the game-winning goal five minutes before the end of the third period.
The loss had been difficult for the team. Fally and Ryder still talked about the fluke goal that had given L.A. the win. In the end, Pittsburgh had ended up winning the championship, sweeping L.A. in four games. Zoe had felt terrible when Las Vegas was eliminated, but she knew it wouldn’t be long before Ryder and the Kingsnakes were hoisting the huge silver trophy and doing victory laps around the ice. They’d be strong contenders next year.
The door to the VIP room flew open, and a patron had to jump back to avoid being hit. “Sorry, buddy,” Leah said, pushing past him. “Hey guys.” She waved as she approached, then signaled the bartender. “Beer over here, Jake.”
“Hurricane Leah.” Ryder said, shaking his head.
Eli, Shaw and West entered the bar a moment later, and Zoe waved them over.
“Life would be boring without her.” Zoe smiled. “Without these guys, too.”
“Well, if it isn’t the Players Club.” Nic glanced up at the three men as they approached the table.
“Ugh.” Fally shook his head. “Don’t encourage them, Nic, or they will trademark the name.”
“Three more beers, Jake,” Leah called. “He really needs more help behind that bar. He should hire someone.”
Eli pulled a chair next to Zoe, while Shaw and West leaned back against the rail separating the tables from the bar area.
Zoe looked over at West. The normally outgoing goalie seemed withdrawn and quiet lately. “Any plans for the rest of the summer, West?”
“Annual motorcycle trip across Nevada. I leave in a few days,” he told her. “Good thing, too. I need a break from these fools.”
West smiled at her, but it didn’t touch his eyes. She knew Ryder was worried about him, but he didn’t want to press the issue. He’d told her that if West needed to talk, he’d talk. That was the way they did things in their group.
Zoe put her hand on West’s arm. “I hope you have a good trip.”
“Nothing like a motorcycle and the open road.”
“What’s going on, all?” Eli asked, slinging his arm around Zoe.
Ryder smirked. “Move the arm, or I’ll move it for you, kid.”
Eli grinned. “A little healthy competition is always a good thing, O’Bryan. Keeps you on your toes.”
“Here we go,” said Fally. He took the beers from Jake and passed them around.
“We taking bets again?” Shaw asked, pulling out his wallet.
“Not necessary.” Eli held his hands up. “I learned my lesson. Don’t mess with Irish when it comes to his woman.”
Zoe looked around at their little group and smiled. Who would have thought she would have a wonderful boyfriend and such great friends? So far, moving to Las Vegas had ended up being the best decision of her life.
Today, she and Ryder celebrated nine months together. Their relationship grew stronger and more solid with each passing day.
Even her career had taken an upward turn, thanks to Nic, who had introduced her to a few contacts working in her field. She now had a full-time job as a crisis intervention worker, and loved it.
Things had gotten serious between herself and Ryder. He’d asked her to move in with him, and she’d agreed. Fally, Nic and the rest of the gang were coming over tomorrow to help move her things.
“We have an announcement to make.” Nic held up her soda glass. “The reason Fally invited you all here, actually.”
Zoe smiled as Fally brushed a kiss against Nic’s cheek. They celebrated their three-year anniversary last month, and still acted like lovesick teenagers.
“What’s the good news?” West asked.
Nic took Fally’s hand and smiled. “Well, in six months you guys are all going to be uncles and aunts. We are three months pregnant today.”
Zoe shrieked and leaped up to hug Nic. “Oh my God, I can’t believe it. You guys!”
“This calls for more beer.” Leah punched Fally in the arm. “Way to go, bud.”
“How have you kept it a secret for this long?” asked Zoe.
Fally shrugged and hooked his thumb at Nic. “She threatened to pummel me if I told. She’s stronger than she looks, so I listen.”
Nic laughed. “It’s been difficult, trust me. I’ve wanted to tell you so many times, but superstition dictated I keep my mouth shut.” She patted her stomach. “I couldn’t wait for today to get here. I’ve been bursting at the seams with the news.”
She shifted in her chair and grinned at Zoe. “Seriously—bursting. These jeans are cutting off my circulation.
Zoe took her friend’s hand. “You’re glowing. I’m so happy for you both.”
Ryder held up his beer. “Congratulations, guys. Promise me I can buy the kid their first pair of skates.”
“We’ll take care of the gear and sticks,” said Shaw.
“Any other big news?” asked Fally.
Ryder grinned. “Maybe.”
“What news?” asked Zoe.
Ryder crouched down next to Zoe. “Since everyone is making all these grown up decisions, I figured I’d follow suit and do the same.”
He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Zoe Elizabeth Miller,” he began, taking a diamond ring from his front pocket.
“Oh my God,” Zoe whispered, clasping a hand to her mouth.
“Will you do me the honor of being Mrs. Ryder O’Bryan?”
Her eyes filled with tears, and she fought to blink them back. “Yes! A million times yes,” she gushed, nodding as he slipped the beautiful ring on her finger.
Their friends cheered and banged on the table.
Zoe threw her arms around his neck and launched herself at him. “Are you sure, Ryder?” she asked, searching his face for signs of doubt.
He kissed her and pulled back to smooth a hand over her hair. “I love you, Zoe. More than anything. I think it’s time to start a new chapter together. Don’t you?”
She nodded and brushed away a happy tear, smiling and laughing as she did. “I love you, too. And yes, I do.”
“Remember those two words,” Eli said, laughing.
Leah jumped up and threw her arms around them. “I can’t believe it. Look at the size of that rock! I better be in the wedding.”
Zoe hugged her. “Of course. You’ll all be in it.”
“Can you believe this guy?” Fally asked. “I never thought I’d see the day. What the heck happened to you, Irish?”
He pulled Zoe close and kissed her hand. “I got lucky.”
Tears sprang to her eyes once more. He had come so far from where he’d been months ago. It meant the world to her to hear him say those words. It meant he was finally at peace with moving on.
“I think you need to toast this, Irish,” said West.
Ryder held up his beer. The rest of them followed suit.
“To new beginnings, big and small,” Ryder said, smiling as they all tapped glasses.
“To new beginnings,” they echoed.
THE END
West Keller’s story, Lucky Save (Book 2 of The Players Club Series), will be released in early 2015.
Table of Contents
GETTING LUCKY
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TRADEMARK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
EPILOGUE