Puck up and dance a why.., p.1
Puck Up And Dance: A Why Choose Hockey Romance, page 1
Puck Up and Dance
Playing the Puck Series
Wynter Ryan
Copyright © 2024 by Wynter Ryan
All rights reserved.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
No portion of this book may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. Short excerpts may be used without permission in book reviews.
Contents
Puck Up and Dance
About the Book
1. Gemma
2. Colt
3. Jensen
4. Beck
5. Gemma
6. Jensen
7. Gemma
8. Beck
9. Gemma
10. Gemma
11. Colt
12. Gemma
13. Colt
14. Jensen
15. Beck
16. Gemma
17. Colt
18. Gemma
Epilogue
Sneak Peek
Playing the Puck Series
Summer 2024
Also by Wynter Ryan
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Puck Up and Dance
About the Book
Gemma
Being an ice girl for a professional hockey team has always been my dream, but when I ran from my ex-boyfriend, I couldn't give up on my dream. Little did I know by following that dream, I would also fall for the three owners of the new team I dance for. I try to tell myself to ignore my feelings for them and concentrate on my career until the day comes when I can't hold back my feelings, and I find myself wanting to do more than cheer for their hockey team—I want to Puck Up and Dance with all three of them.
Colt, Beck, Jensen
From the moment Gemma tried out and won a spot as an ice girl or Valkyrie, as we call the team's cheerleaders, we knew this woman was our destiny. But from the haunted look in her eyes, someone has hurt her in the past. We want to take it slow, but this woman is our kryptonite, and there's no holding back once she lets her guard down.
one
Gemma
Ican feel their eyes boring into the back of my head, and I stumble, missing the last sequence of the dance routine. Why me? Why did I have to gain the attention of the three hockey team owners I cheer for?
Any other girl would be ecstatic to have caught the eye of a wealthy businessman, let alone three of the sexiest men I've ever seen. I'm not one of those girls. Having just gotten out of a toxic relationship six months ago, I can't afford to lose this job.
I can barely support myself as it is. The cost of the cheerleading uniforms and travel expenses have almost depleted what little money I had when I left Brock.
"Blondie, you need to keep up, or I'll be forced to cut you from the squad." The look on Tiffany's face tells me all I need to know about the head cheerleader, or ice girl as we're called in the hockey world. She doesn't want me here, and she'll use any excuse to get rid of me.
"Sorry," I mutter trying to focus on anything but the three gorgeous men watching me from the skybox attached to their offices. Colt Hayes is the face of the organization, bringing his family legacy into the new hockey team he started last year with his two best friends, Beck Thorson and Jensen James, both former pro hockey players.
Ignoring the heat of their gaze, I complete the dance routine, hitting each move flawlessly.
"Ugh, you need way more practice if you think you are good enough to make it past the probationary period." Tiffany dramatically tosses her long, blonde hair over her shoulder before moving on to her next target.
"Don't worry about her. She's just jealous that you've caught the eye of all three of the owners."
I look at the cheerleader on my right—I think her name is Erica—and follow her gaze to Colt, Beck, and Jensen, now standing in the tunnel, their gazes locked on me. The last thing I want is to gain any man's attention, let alone the three of them.
"Come on, let's show Tiffany we deserve to keep our spot on the team." She nudges my arm as Tiffany instructs everyone to restart the routine in her whiney voice.
"Let's go, ladies. You're not getting any younger." Her eyes fall on me, letting me know she doesn't believe my application that lists my age as twenty-one.
It might be a little bit of a stretch, but I couldn't risk losing a spot on the cheer squad just because I'm twenty-five and not the desired age of twenty-one. It's the first time in my life I've appreciated my youthful face and short body.
I had planned to come clean about my age once I made the squad, but with Tiffany looking for any reason to get rid of ice girls she deems a threat, I need to lie low and do my job. I can't get caught up with the fantasy of a big, strong man to swoop in and save me. I made that mistake once. I won't make it again, no matter how handsome and sexy I find the three hockey team owners.
The rest of the practice goes by in a flurry of disgusted grunts from Tiffany and giggles from Erica. I try to focus on the routine since Tiffany is looking for any excuse to get rid of me, but my eyes keep straying to the tunnel of the locker room where Colt, Jensen, and Beck are all gathered. I can only assume waiting to talk to the players or the coaches.
The only time the owners would talk to the ice dancers in my last job was if they wanted something sexual from them. Luckily, they never bothered me because of Brock. His protection was the only good thing that came out of our relationship.
Brock was the star player for the Indiana Freeze professional hockey team, and I was an ice girl or Snowflake, as the team owner insisted on calling us. It was my first real cheerleading job. I was twenty-two years old and fresh out of college. I was so excited to win a spot on the team. The icing on the cake was when Brock asked me out.
He was so handsome and charming that all the ice girls wanted him. I still don’t know why he chose me when he could have had his pick of any girl he wanted. It wasn’t until I moved in with him two years ago that I found out the truth.
Tiffany and Coach Davis blow their whistles, ending the hockey practice and the cheer practice, snapping me out of my thoughts of what brought me here and what I’m running from.
Speaking of running, I casually slide my gaze to the tunnel, knowing I’ll have to pass Colt, Jensen, and Beck on my way to the women’s locker room. The thought of skipping a shower crosses my mind until I remember I’m basically homeless since the house I was going to share with three roommates was taken off the market.
I’ve already spent too much of my savings on a hotel room. Tonight will be the first night I'll be sleeping in my car, which I’m not looking forward to, but I'll have to do it until I can find another place I can afford.
“Hey, blondie.” I inwardly cringe at Tiffany’s nickname for me. I’d love to tell her exactly what I think about the name, but I bite my tongue.
“Yeah. I mean, yes, Tiffany.” I silently curse myself for letting my poor upbringing slip through in my words. I’ve tried hard to escape the stigmatism of growing up dirt-poor in a rundown trailer.
Tiffany motions for me to follow her to a semi-secluded spot away from the rest of the cheerleaders. “Do you want to make some extra money?”
My brain tells me to steer clear of Tiffany, but my body gives in, thinking about having money for a real bed instead of sleeping in my car. “Sure, but what do I need to do?”
“Saturday night, The Grove is having a fundraiser. They're always looking for servers or bartenders for these events. But the real money is in the bachelorette auction.”
“Auction?” There is no way I heard her correctly. It’s the twenty-first century, who auctions off people nowadays.
My face must show the shock I feel as Tiffany playfully bats my shoulder, “It’s for charity, silly. It’s all in fun. The rich guys bid on a date with one of the girls, and if something should come of it, so be it.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal, but I still have my doubts.
“I don’t know Tiffany.”
“Come on, it will be fun. Besides, it will help you cover the cost of your uniforms and travel expenses for the team.”
I bite my lower lip, giving her suggestion some thought. I can barely afford the three costumes Tiffany has already told us we will be wearing this season, let alone the travel expenses. She said we get reimbursed as long as we turn in our receipts. It wasn’t like that with the Indiana Freeze, but maybe things are different here since the Minnesota Norse is a relatively new team.
“But if it’s for charity, how would I make any money by letting them bid on me?”
“Oh, that.” She waves her hand, “The participants get twenty-five percent of the winning bid as a thank you.” When I hesitate, she continues, “I’ve made five grand in a night before.” She tells me.
My gut tells me not to trust Tiffany, “I don’t know.” I start to say, but she cuts me off.
“All the girls do it. It’s no big deal. Besides, you want to go to all the away games, don’t you? I’d hate to drop you from the squad if you can’t attend all the games as expected just because you couldn’t afford it.” The smirk on her face says otherwise.
Even though I don't trust Tiffany, I can't take the chance of getting on her bad side, "Sure, I'l l think about it. Thanks, Tiffany."
She gives me a look like she wants to say more. Instead, she pushes past me and makes her way to the tunnel to stand next to Colt, Jensen, and Beck.
They smile at her, and my heart drops. This is what I wanted, didn't I? Someone else for them to direct their lustful gazes at.
Then why does thinking about them with someone like Tiffany hurt so much?
two
Colt
Damn, she's fucking beautiful.
I try to concentrate on my meeting with Britt, our new social media manager, but when she stood against the glass of my sky box office, gazing down at my identical triplet pro-hockey-playing nephews practicing on the ice below, I couldn't help but sneak a peek at one of our newest ice girls, Gemma.
Gemma stands barely five feet tall, at least a good foot, and then some shorter than me. Her short, curvy frame isn't the typical body type most teams go for with their cheerleaders, but here at the Minnesota Norse organization, we believe in talent, not size, looks, or gender. Just ask my niece, Teagan Hayes, the first professional female hockey player on an all-male hockey team.
Teagan and her boyfriends Fin, Royal, and Coulter, all play for the Norse. They met last year in college when Teagan anonymously tried out for the State College hockey team with the help of yours truly. Of course, she got a starting spot on the team. She has Hayes blood running through her veins.
My brother Teddy, Teagan's father, is known worldwide as the modern-day GOAT in hockey. If I hadn't blown out my knee in college, I might have followed in my big brother's footsteps. Instead, I'm a multi-billionaire, owning my own hockey team with my best friends, Beck and Jensen—both former pro hockey players I met when we all attended State College together.
I don't know what I would have done without Beck and Jensen by my side. The surgery and the recovery weren't bad. It was the spiraling out of control when it finally hit me that I would never play professional hockey. It was all I ever dreamed of, and then, in a flash, it was all gone.
The only thing I had to hold onto was my promise to my two best friends to make a billion dollars and start my own professional hockey franchise so they could retire and live off of me. I did them one better. I invested our money and made us all multi-billionaires by the time we were thirty. The hockey franchise came three years later, along with their retirements from the game.
Beck and Jensen have lived with me here in Minnesota for the last two years. We've settled into a comfortable routine. The only thing we're missing is her.
“They’re amazing, aren’t they.” I tap on the glass causing Britt to jump.
Poor Britt, she has been hopelessly in love with my identical triplet nephews for as long as I can remember. Britt and Teagan have been best friends since they were toddlers. Britt has spent more holidays with my family than she has her own.
I've seen the secret looks she gives each of the triplets and the secret looks they give her. It's time one or all of them gets their head out of their ass and do something about the attraction.
“Um, yes. The team looks really good.”
“The Ice Girl tryouts are coming along nicely. I want them to be a major part of our hockey campaign. With our focus on Teagan being the first professional female hockey player in an all-male league, I want to include other female roles throughout our organization.” Gemma catches my eye again as I gaze out over the ice below. “I want to showcase Teagan, the Ice Girls, Teagan’s agent Cassi, and, of course, you, Britt.”
“That’s amazing, Mr. Hayes. Most male-dominated organizations frown on females who are invading their turf.”
“Call me Colt." I turn to face Britt, "I don’t want this team to be like the rest of the teams in the league. I want to celebrate gender equality.”
The intercom on my desk crackles. “Mr. Hayes, Mr. Thorson, and Mr. James are here to see you,” my assistant announces.
“Send them in.”
My office door opens, and my two best friends walk into the room. "Britt, this is Mr. Thorson and Mr. James, my business partners." When she doesn't respond, I repeat her name louder this time: "Britt."
That seems to snap her out of whatever daze she was in. I watch as Beck and Jensen introduce themselves to Britt. When they're done with the introductions, I move on to praise Britt.
"Britt has done a great job putting together an amazing media package for the team as part of her interview process."
"It was my pleasure."
"I knew you were the right choice for the job," I stop and give Britt an encouraging smile. "There's a photo shoot for a national sports magazine coming up. They want to feature the Hayes family, current and former players. A family legacy story. They want to celebrate the passing of the torch, per se, and I want you to attend the shoot to get a behind-the-scenes angle for our fans to post on the team's social media sites."
Britt is almost vibrating with excitement at my news, "That would be perfect for our fans."
"I love your enthusiasm." Jensen laughs. "I think you're right, Colt. She is the perfect person for the job."
"I better get down to the ice and take some pictures for our fans," Britt rushes to the door.
"Don't forget to get some pictures of the Valkyrie," I call after her.
She stops, spins around, and gives us an odd little salute. "Will do, " she says and rushes out the door.
"So, about Gemma," Jensen says. It's the same conversation we've had the last three weeks when we first laid our eyes on Gemma. "When do you think we should approach her about our offer?"
"That's not very romantic." Beck frowns.
"We can't wait forever. I'm ready to settle down, and she is perfect for us."
I let them bicker back and forth, barely listening to the words they're saying. I'm content to watch Gemma practice her cheerleading routine, knowing she is safely in my arena where I can keep an eye on her.
When Gemma showed up for tryouts three weeks ago, Beck, Jensen, and I were totally smitten with her. We would have never considered sharing her a year ago, but ever since my niece came out a few months ago dating three guys at the same time, the idea of sharing Gemma with my two best friends is one I can't seem to shake, and neither can they.
Her shy smile first drew me to her, but it was her fierce determination to make the cheer squad that captivated me. It reminded me a lot of when I was in rehab, strengthening my knee in hopes of playing hockey professionally. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to heal at full strength and return to hockey the way I wanted to, but I can still enjoy a game of scrimmage with my friends.
The subtle movement as she tips her head down and tucks a piece of her long blonde hair behind her ear catches my eye, and my hand twitches, thinking about being the one to tuck that wayward lock behind her ear myself.
Would she let me?
Needing to be closer to Gemma, I turn from the glass window, walk to my office door, and down the four flights of stairs to the tunnel where I have a better view of my little Valkyrie.
I never thought that when Beck, Jensen, and I decided to call the ice girls Valkyrie, the name would be perfect for our little warrior.
three
Jensen
Gemma is even more stunning up close. Beck and I followed Colt when he left his office and worked his way down to the ice, standing in the tunnel watching the cheerleaders and hockey players practice, knowing Gemma was the only person who could put that lovesick puppy look on his face.
Beck and I have no room to talk. I'm sure we both have that same look. I glance to my right, and sure enough, Beck has his eyes glued to Gemma with a barely concealed look of lust shining in them.
"Soon." The word is hardly more than a whisper spoken from his lips.
Being this close to Gemma and not being able to touch her is the worst kind of torture.
"What do you think the chances are of the team winning the Stanley Cup this year?" I ask, needing the distraction, or I'm likely to march out onto the ice and throw her sexy little ass over my shoulder and carry her back to our place.
