Bound

Ryke and Kate

The beep on Kate's voicemail prompted me to leave a message, but I hung up. Teammates clicked open their seatbelts around me, but I ignored mine. All I could think about as our plane eased to a stop was why she hadn't answered, last night or today.

We'd played in Montreal last night, and I'd gone out with the guys after. While we were waiting on our food at a steakhouse, I'd stepped outside to call Kate. It was my third day on the road, and I missed her. I sure as hell didn't want the other guys to know that, though. I'd never hear the end of it.

I'd left a message asking her to call, but she never did. A surge of heartburn in my chest made me shift in my seat. I hadn't eaten anything today that would cause it and was wondering what would've given me heartburn when realization hit like a 250 pound defender.

I was worried. That was a fucking first. I rolled my eyes, disgusted with myself.

The plane was quiet, other than the rustling sounds of guys getting up and gathering their stuff. I unbuckled my seat belt, exhaling deeply as I considered what to do about Kate. I'd have to stop by home to see if everything was okay.

"Hey," Luke said to me from across the aisle. "You wanna go eat and play pool or something?"

I was about to tell him I couldn't when my phone vibrated and Kate's name appeared on the screen.

"Kate. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I was just walking Wilbur and I forgot my phone at the apartment."

My tension eased and I sank back against my seat. "Wilbur?"

"Mr. Richardson's dog. He can't take him for walks since he broke his hip."

"Who's that?" I unbuckled my seat belt and stood up to leave the plane.

"He's your neighbor downstairs. Super nice guy."

"Huh. I'll have to meet him sometime. He's not using Wilbur to get you in the sack, is he?"

Her laugh made me smile. "He's in his 80's, so I don't think so. How was your trip?"

"Good. We just landed. We won last night."

"I know you did, I was watching. I may or may not have been yelling at you though the TV screen last night to beat that guy's ass you were fighting."

I liked knowing she watched my games. Thinking about it made me skate a little faster and hit a little harder.

"Did I call too late last night?" I tried to mask my disappointment over not talking to her.

A snicker from one of the guys made me turn around. We were all standing around waiting for the plane door to be opened.

"Quit being such a pussy, Ryker!" our goalie Paul O'Neal yelled.

"Fuck you," I returned, glaring at him before returning my attention to my call. "Sorry, Kate."

"It wasn't too late, I was out with Kylie at a sports bar where we watched the game and I didn't hear my phone. I didn't get the message til this morning."

Lewd groaning noises from behind me forced me to turn around. Eric Larsen, an obnoxious defender, was pretending to jerk off. "Ask your assistant if she'll assist me with this," he said loudly.

"Hold on," I said to Kate, pushing past Vic to get to Larsen. I shoved his chest and he faltered and landed on his ass in the aisle. "Shut the fuck up. Don't talk about her."

Vic must've heard the menace in my tone, because he stepped between us. He motioned for me to get off the plane, and I followed the others to the door.