Page 60 of Risky Play

This road trip had been draining. When you got the call up to the big leagues, one thing you didn’t realize was how exhausting all the travel could be. It was fun to bond with your teammates on the road, but it could weigh down on you. Cully and I bonded a lot since, as rookies, we still shared a room, unlike guys like Noah or TJ on bigger contracts who didn’t have to share anymore. The trip had been a good one since we won two more games, and I was feeling more confident about my place on the team.

I got into Noah’s SUV, and we drove back to his townhome. He went up to his room, and I went into the basement. I dropped my bag on the floor and shed my jacket. Halloween was next week, but it was already getting chilly outside.

I cocked my head as I noticed someone left a package on my bed. My eyebrows shot up when I realized what it was. I may have swiped one of Maddie’s books off her desk before I left. Cully howled with laughter when he saw what I was reading. Until I reminded him I heard Lily call him her ‘warrior’ when they did video calls. That shut him right up.

I read one of Maddie’s BDSM romance books while I was on the road, and then I did research. If she wanted to experiment in the bedroom, we’d do it safely. I bought a pair of leather cuffs with velcro fasteners and faux fur on the inside. Everything I read said they’d be good for beginners. I’d figure we start with binding her hands together first. The cuffs had a metal ring around each one where they hooked together, or I could hook on a strap that I could tie to the bed. We needed to warm up to that first. Baby steps.

I checked the label and breathed a sigh of relief that, true to the company’s word, the packaging was discreet. Thank God, since Dinah clearly saw my name on the front and set it on my bed.

I was nervous but excited to try these out with Maddie. I wanted her to be comfortable, and if she decided she didn’t want to do it, we’d stop. I’d already had a speech in my head to talk to her about safety, safe words, and comfort. But based on the book I read, she might have a better handle on this.

I shoved the package into my backpack, giving it no chance of being seen by Noah or Dinah by accident.

I lay back on my bed, pulled out my phone, and shot off a text to Maddie.

ME: Hey, sweet pea, I just got home. Call me later?

A grin spread across my face when she immediately texted me back.

SWEET PEA: Eeeee!!! I missed you. But I have class [frowny face]

ME: Dinner? I still need to take you on that date.

SWEET PEA: Okay! Gimme the deets later.

I did some research on where to take her. She wanted nothing too fancy. She loved pub food like at Local Hangout, but I wanted to take her somewhere a little nicer. There was an Italian place in Rittenhouse Square Dinah said was good, and I trusted her judgment on that. Based on the photos online, it looked low-key.

I was looking through my closet, trying to find an outfit, when I saw my baby sister wanted to video chat with me.

“Hey, pipsqueak!” I said.

Luna rolled her eyes at me. “Ugh. Please, not that nickname.”

I grinned. “What’s up, kiddo?”

“Do you know anyone who goes to Franklin?”

I arched an eyebrow.

“Other than Ty. He doesn’t count.”

“Why doesn’t Ty count?”

She rolled her eyes again. “Because he’s Ty. Or Elsa. I heard they broke up for good this time.”

“Actually…I do.”

Her face lit up. “Really? They only have club hockey but…I’m thinking of applying, and I want to do a tour.”

I broke out into a smile. “Lu, that’s great!”

She frowned. “Mom and Dad are fretting about the cost.”

“Let me take care of it.”

“No!”

“Lu, Mom and Dad sunk all their money into having us. Let me do this.”