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eleven

Briella

T heir house is perfect. From the masculine hockey painting on the wall to the more feminine touches of plants spread throughout the house. It's exactly how I picture a loving home to feel like. Even my dad and Emma's home isn't this inviting. I could definitely get used to living here.

Stop it Briella. You're only here to listen to what they have to say. Not move in with them.

Squaring my shoulder, I sit stick straight on their buttery soft couch. Refusing to lean back into what I know would feel like a fluffy cloud. "I'm here. What did you want to say to me." I raise my chin, not letting them intimidate me with their size.

And how well I know their size.

"We want to apologize for not defending you that morning after we had sex and our parents caught us." Blade says. "My dad is an ass."

"Like Blade said earlier, we fired his dad as our agent. We've hired a new one who doesn't have a problem with our personal lifestyle." I blink at Atlas sitting next to me. What personal lifestyle is he talking about. "Let me back up. We can't stop thinking about you and how we fucked everything up by not sticking up for you with your mom and then with Mr. McKnight."

"When we saw you again after a year apart, it was like a light switch went on." Ivan takes my hand, scooting closer to me on the couch. "We made a mistake, and we don't want to lose you again."

"What Ivan is trying to say is—if you'll give us another chance, we'd like to show you how sorry we are and make up for the lost year." Blade sits on the coffee table in front of me, his longer legs eating up the space between us.

"We foolishly believed Mr. McKnight's threats of losing our sponsors if we shared you. We stupidly chose hockey over you, and we don't plan on making that mistake again. We'll do whatever it takes to make it up to you." Atlas lifts my hair off my shoulder, placing it on my back bearing my neck to him causing me to shiver. "Do you forgive us?"

Do I?

Everything from that morning runs through my brain. Do I want a relationship with the guys from that night? No, I want a relationship with the guys sitting before me now.

Guys who have grown up over the last year. Just like I have.

Before I change my mind, I answer them as honestly as I can, "I don't want the guys from that time in my life." Their faces fall in sadness, but I have to get this out. "Those guys were insecure and selfish. I want the guys that are here with me today. Guys that are willing to ask for forgiveness and admit their mistakes." Their faces light up at my words. "So, my answer is yes. I'll give this relationship a shot."

I'm smothered in a group hug reminding me of waking up with all of them holding me tightly and I know I've made the right decision. But there is one more thing I need to get off my chest. "I don't put out until the fifth date." Expecting a snappy comeback I give them a smirk.

"That's okay love. Neither do we."