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Shaw’s mind filled with the happy moments they all spent with Piers, Ash and Sylvee. That trio was making it work—in fact, they were thriving.

Why couldn’t they have the same thing?

Several long minutes later, the three of them climbed out of the hot tub.

“I don’t think you were in the water long enough to help your hips and back.” Sloane swiped her abandoned bottoms off the deck.

He trailed a finger over her collarbone. “I had all the heat I needed, love.”

Her throaty laugh punched into Shaw’s heart. Dylan’s tender smile for her wasn’t lost on him either.

He cared so much for them both.

Was it possible to have what the former Boot Knockers did—a life together with plenty of love to share?

He walked over to where he’d cast off his clothes before stepping into the hot tub. When he picked up his phone, the screen flashed with a missed call.

As he raised the device to listen to the voicemail, his blood surged.

For two years he’d been talking to a big college in Alaska with hopes to sign on as coach. The team had some wins but lately hadn’t come together to reach their goals.

They wanted to discuss a position.

His dream was within reach.

It was either the worst time—or the best.

“Everything all right, man?” Dylan’s question filtered through the blood drumming in his ears.

Still stunned, he could only nod and slap a mask over what had to be a pained expression.

He didn’t want to trade in either of his dreams, but the price of one seemed to be letting go of the other.

Chapter Twelve

Sloane emerged from the bedroom dressed in jeans that made her look amazing. But it was the frilly white blouse that had Shaw jerking to his feet. He crossed the living space to meet her.

She faced him, her pale brown brows pinched. “What’s the matter?”

She had to know what she was wearing. What it did to him.

“Your shirt.”

Her face blanked, and then she looked down at the feminine blouse.

“It’s the one you were wearing the day we met.”

Stare meeting his, she gave a tiny shake of her head. “I never thought about how it might affect you when I put it on. I can see it upsets you. I’ll take it off.”

“Keep it on. I can deal.”

She stared at him. “No,” she said slowly, “I’ll take it off.” When she swung around, he caught her by the arm and whirled her back to him.

Her body crushed against his, and he couldn’t resist holding her even tighter. Nuzzling her lips, he ran one hand down to cup her ass and the other he threaded into the hair on the back of her head.

“This shirt drove me crazy that night.”

She issued a whimper. “I remember.”