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Jensen sits up on his elbows and raises a brow. “Do I feel a compliment coming on?”

Pointing at him, I laugh. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, buddy.”

Reaching one arm out, he smooths his slightly calloused palm down my arm. “I think it’s a bit late for that,” he says.

“Thank you for telling me that, sharing what happened, and trusting me.” So much makes sense now that I know why he avoided commitment for so long and perhaps why he’d comeoff as cold and uncaring so often. This is my lesson in judging without truly knowing what’s going on behind closed doors.

“Come here.” He takes my chin and pushes up on his arm, brushing his lips over mine. “I want you again.”

My core pulses at the thought. “Don’t you have preseason starting tomorrow?”

“Gym work, and I couldn’t care less about fucking hockey right now. I want you to ride me all night.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

JENSEN

Imade it to light conditioning with five minutes to spare.

But it was totally worth spending the entire night in my girl’s bed. Christ, she’s amazing.

Pounding the treadmill, I increase the gradient and switch the setting to interval training. I’m full of energy despite zero sleep.

Zach comes to stand next to me and side-eyes me, setting his pace to a slow walk. “All good, man?”

“Yeah. I just have energy, you know.” I keep looking straight ahead, grab my drink, and take a gulp before setting it back in the holder.

“Yeah, well, pass me some. I’m fucking spent.”

My treadmill automatically slows as it hits the next stage in the interval program, which gives me time to look at Zach.

“What’s eating you?”

He scratches the back of his neck. “The Captaincy. Becoming a dad. All the responsibility looming this year.”

“Well, we can freak out together since I’m going to be a dad, twice. But you know I got you, right? I’ll always be there to support you and the team.”

He nods. “You know if the rules allowed, I’d have you as my AC any day. You mean everything to this team.” He pauses and blows out a long breath. We don’t say anything for a few seconds as I let his words sink in; they mean a lot to me.

He breaks the silence first. “How’s Kate?”

“Already starting to show. Sickness has stopped, though, thank fuck.”

He nods. “I’m putting our place up for sale and finding a house with a yard and a pool for Luna. She’s really missing the ocean.”

Catching my breath a bit more, I swipe at the sweat on my forehead with my towel. “I don’t blame you. The city isn’t really the place for bringing up children. If you can get a yard, then why not?”

“How are things going with Kate? I’m assuming better with the way that photo leaked online looked.”

“They’re…going. At this point, we’re just friends.”

With insane benefits that I want to turn into a whole heap more.

I don’t know how much he knows from Jon or Felicity, but if I get my way with Kate, he’ll know everything soon enough.

He nods, but I think he’s worked out we’re at least sleeping together. I’d tell him everything if I wasn’t unsure of where Kate’s head was. “Luna said you’re getting along better.”

“Yeah, we’re making progress. I’m back at my place now, though.”