Bound

Kate

Kate

I hiked the canvas bag over my shoulder and chided myself for waiting so long to check Ryke's post office box. It had been more than full, with a giant tote of extra mail I'd had to stuff into the bag. So I'd be answering fan mail today.

It was an easy job, really. I usually sent an autographed photo of Ryke with a note of thanks for the letter. I always downplayed the amount of letters and their messages of adoration to Ryke, because really, his ego didn't need inflating.

"Wow," Mimi said as I dropped the bag to the floor with a thunk.

"Yeah," I said, sighing.

"I can help when I get this soup put together."

"If you've got time, I'd appreciate it." I dragged the bag across the floor and tipped it over an area rug. A waterfall of letters cascaded out and I sat down to sort them.

I had them divided into packages, letters from kids and other letters when Mimi joined me on the rug.

"I like to do the kid ones first," I said.

"Writing back to kids sounds like fun," Mimi said, reaching for a letter and tearing it open.

"It is. I had one last week from a little boy who asked Ryke to be his best friend."

"Aww." Mimi put a hand on her chest as she read. "It says 'I love hockey', but it's spelled H-O-K-E-Y. And then it says 'You are awesome', but it's spelled A-W-S-U-M. What should I do with it?"

"I've got a letter that Ryke signed that I send to kids," I said, handing her a sheet. "It's about getting good grades and all. And they get a signed photo, too."

"Is everything okay with you?" Mimi asked, her gaze focused on the letter she was working on.

"As okay as usual," I said, sighing. She met my eyes with a warm smile. We'd gotten close from being together so much.

"Anything to do with our favorite hockey player?" she asked lightly.

I laughed and shook my head. "That obvious, huh?"

"I see the two of you together every morning. I know something's up."

"I'll let you do the kid letters and I'll work on this stack," I said, reaching for a large manila envelope. "I don't know what's up with me and Ryke. I like him, but—"

I stopped talking and furrowed my brows when I felt something silky in the envelope. My mouth dropped open when I pulled out a tiny, lacy black thong. I held it up and Mimi stifled a laugh.

"This," I said, rolling my eyes. "This is the problem with me and Ryke. He's a hockey God and I'm just an average girl."

"He's very down-to-earth for someone famous. And you don't give yourself enough credit. You've got a lot going for you. You're smart, beautiful and kind-hearted."

"I'm not feeling kind-hearted right now," I said. "I'd like to write this girl a letter and tell her what she can do with her panties."

Mimi's face creased with confusion and amusement. "Did she send a letter? Or just the panties?"

I reached back into the envelope and unfolded a pink piece of paper, doing my best dumb bitch voice. "Ryke – I wore these to a game and wanted you to have them. Eww!" I tossed them aside, looked at the hand I'd held them with and cringed. "I need to wash my hands."

Scrubbing lemon soap into my hands at the kitchen sink, I shook my head with disgust. Why was I mad at Ryke over the panties? It wasn't his fault some crazy chick mailed him her worn thong. But it ate at me anyway. Even though I wasn't ready to sleep with him, I didn't need to be reminded how many other women wanted to.