Rinkmates: A steamy Hockey Romance (The Mates series Book 1)

The crisp air nips at my cheeks as I glide across the smooth ice, Rory skating beside me in his blue hockey jersey and pads. He was so thrilled when Riley sent us a huge Falcons fan box. I watch my baby boy, his cheeks flushed pink from the cold and exertion, his eyes shining with pure joy as we circle the rink together. He loves it when I show him my spins and twizzles. Summer is nearly over, and the leaves outside are already turning shades of orange and yellow.

“Watch this, Mommy!” Rory calls out.

He picks up speed, pumping his little legs, and then attempts a wobbly spin on his skates. I smile and clap as he completes the turn without falling.

“Great job, sweetie! You’re getting better every day.” I beam at Riley with pride.

Teaching him real hockey moves is a bit beyond my skills, but just spending this time with him and seeing his face light up—that makes everything worthwhile. After the struggles we endured, scrimping and worrying about affording his medications and treatments, being able to give Rory a stable home and focus on being a mom means the world to me. I’m so happy I can tell him he can become whoever he wants because now I can actually afford it. Just thinking about it feels incredible. I can give my boy the world.

Our new house in Pennsylvania is a dream come true as well. There’s more than enough space for all of us, plus a yard for Rory to play with friends and for Mom and me to tend a small garden. Our cat Kitty, of course, loves all the different corners around the house where she can hide. Simple pleasures that I once thought impossible. Now, Rory and I can cuddle together each night in his room, reading his favorite books and watching PAW Patrol. Weekends are now filled with adventures around our property or visits from Priya or Rory’s grandparents, who were overjoyed to have us close by. It’s just ten minutes to their house, and whenever Rory misses them, we’ll visit with our bikes.

As we skate in lazy loops, hand-in-hand, I breathe deeply, letting the frigid air fill my lungs. I never want to take a single moment for granted again. This is everything I ever wanted for us.

“Mommy, look!” Rory suddenly shouts, pointing across the rink with his hockey stick.

I follow his gaze, squinting against the glare of the light on the ice. A familiar figure strides toward us, long legs eating up the distance with ease. My heart leaps into my throat. Riley. He was supposed to be at training camp for at least another week. I haven’t seen him in what feels like forever, our stolen moments always late at night after Rory was asleep. But now, here he is, in the flesh.

Rory lets out a squeal of delight, bouncing up and down on his skates. “It’s the hockey player! Mommy, Riley’s here!”

I can only stare, completely stunned, as Riley hops onto the ice and skates toward us. He looks incredible, his cheeks flushed from the cold that hits you after leaving the warmth. A bright smile lights up his face—the same smirk that first drew me in all those months ago.

“Hey, you two,” he says, coming to a stop before us.

His gaze meets mine, and I can tell he wants to kiss me—I want it just as much—but we agreed not to. Instead, he shifts his focus to Rory.

My heart nearly breaks at the kindness in his gaze. It’s as if he already loves him just because he looks like me.

“I heard there was a future hockey star out here on the ice. Had to come see for myself.” Riley lowers himself to Rory’s level and grins at him before patting his helmet. “I’m Riley. Can I know the name of our little star too?”

Rory giggles, pressing close to my side. “I’m Rory. But you already know my Mommy. I saw you on TV!”

My heart flutters as I watch my son’s face light up with joy at meeting a real hockey player. I know he enjoys training with me, but let’s be honest—I’m not Riley.

“Yes, your mom is the best figure skater I know.”

Rory nods. “Yes! She’s been teaching me! Right, Mommy?”

He looks up at me, and I nod. “Yes, I showed him all the secrets I learned from you.”

Riley smiles up at me. “Is that so?”

There’s a moment of silence between us, and I can see it—us.

“How about you show me what Mommy taught you?” Riley says, and Rory nods.

“Yes! Come on! Watch me skate!” Rory grabs Riley’s hand and pulls him to the center of the rink, as if they’ve known each other for weeks rather than just five minutes. I watch as Rory proudly demonstrates his slap shots and Riley teaches him some new skills.

I watch them, a thousand questions racing through my mind, but I can’t seem to give voice to any of them. He’s here. He’s really, truly here.

Riley’s eyes meet mine again after we both finish applauding Rory’s goal, and the air between us hums with unspoken emotion. He takes a step closer, and I can feel what he wants, what we both want. But I hold back, biting my lip. I’ve made a promise to myself and to Rory. When I introduce a man to my son as my boyfriend, it has to be for keeps. No more false starts, no more heartbreak. Rory deserves stability, a father figure who will be there through thick and thin. But looking at Riley now, I can’t imagine him ever walking away. Not from me, and certainly not from Rory. I’m starting to believe that he really is in this for the long haul, even if we’re taking things slow.

Riley shows Rory how to brake, and before long, Rory is gliding smoothly over the ice, practicing exactly as Riley instructed. While Rory concentrates on perfecting his technique, Riley skates back to me, where I’ve been watching them.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” I whisper when he reaches my side, fighting back the sudden sting of tears. “You have no idea.”

Riley’s smile softens as he reaches out to brush a stray lock of hair from my face. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

“Well, I thought you were at training camp,” I say, lightly smacking his chest since he told me we couldn’t see each other for another two weeks. I pretended it wasn’t affecting me much, but I missed him the moment he said goodbye last time. After living with him for six months, long distance feels like the worst.

We both watch Rory skating and braking over and over again, and I’m so proud. He’s so determined to hone his skills. I was the same at his age.

“I couldn’t wait any longer,” Riley says, the back of his hand brushing gently against mine. “Do you think I should have waited? You only mentioned that we could meet soon, but when you said it, I just had to come see you. I’m sorry if I rushed things.”

“No, it’s perfect. Really. But how did you know we were here?”

“Your mom.“ He winks at me.

“Of course.” I giggle. “She wanted me to say yes to your pleadings weeks ago.”

“You know I would have given you more time. I was just impatient to meet him. He’s amazing.”

“He is,” I reply. “And I’m glad you’re here and that the rink is where you two first met.”

“Um, speaking of overstepping and such, I might be here for two weeks.”

“What?” I say.

“Coach gave me some time off, and, well, maybe, just maybe, I bought a house down the street. The big one with the wraparound porch and the huge backyard.”

My jaw drops. “You…you bought a house? But…”

He gently presses a finger to my lips. “No what-ifs. I told you. I believe in us, and I want us to have a future together. All of us.”

“But what about my mom and your apartment in New York and—”

“I know. Don’t worry. I won’t pressure you into moving in together just now. It’s just so I can visit you guys whenever I want. Once you’re ready, we can move in there, or your mom can have the house and I can come to you. I bet she’d love her own space one day too. And it’s not a decision we have to make anytime soon. I just want to see you.”

A happy tear spills down my cheek as I throw myself into his arms, burying my face in his neck. “I love you,” I whisper, my voice muffled against his skin. “I love you so much.”

He holds me tight, his lips pressing a quick kiss to my temple. “I love you, too, baby. More than anything.”

I release him and force myself to stop being such a crybaby as I watch my son skate joyful circles around the rink. I know this is it. This is the life I’ve always dreamed of.

Just then, Rory’s excited shout catches our attention, and we turn to see him waving wildly from the center of the rink. “Look! I can skate like Riley!”

He speeds up and brakes so much better than before. “Amazing, bud!”

I grin up at Riley. “Thank you. He’s so happy.”

Rory comes up to us, hugging my hips.

“Hey, your mom just told me you want to be a hockey player when you grow up,” Riley says.

Rory nods eagerly, practically bouncing with excitement. “Uh-huh! I’m gonna be just like you!”

Riley laughs, squeezing Rory’s shoulder.

“Come, let’s skate!” Rory says, casually reaching for Riley’s hand again.

Riley chuckles and glances at me with a playful arch of his brow. “Duty calls. You don’t mind, do you?”

I shake my head, shooing him away with my hands. “Go on. He’s been dying to show off for you.”

He winks at me and I watch them take off across the ice, Rory chatting away while Riley listens with that warm, focused expression I love so much, and I can see it clearly. They are my family.