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Rilee

Tears well up in my eyes. I missed them so much it hurts. And now they’re here… standing in my living room.

“I… I didn’t think you’d come,” I whisper.

Caleb steps closer, his hand reaching out to gently touch mine. “We couldn’t stay away.”

My heart is a full-body ache. Not the bad kind. The kind that feels like coming home after you didn’t know you were lost.

But still—I have to ask.

“How is this going to work?” My voice wobbles. “You’re in Michigan. I’m here. You’ve got hockey and lives. And I—I left.”

Grayson’s expression softens. “We’ll figure it out.”

“But what about—”

“Hockey?” Hunter steps in, his voice low and sure. “You really think I’d be happy if all I had was hockey but not you? I’d be gutted, baby.”

Caleb nods. “This isn’t a game we’re trying to win. It’s a life we want to build—with you.”

My eyes blur again.

“Trust us, okay?” Grayson says. “Just… let us try.”

I blink back more tears.

They’re here.

They came for me.

And somehow, impossibly—I believe them.

Grayson steps in first. His gaze never wavers, steady as a heartbeat. He reaches out and takes my hand, holding it like it’s something sacred.

“I love you, Rilee,” he says, voice quiet but certain. “And I’m not going to pretend I don’t just because it’s complicated.”

Then he kisses the inside of my wrist—slow, reverent—like he’s promising something.

Next is Caleb, who’s already smiling, already close. He brushes my hair back behind my ear, his dimples softening the chaos in my chest.

“I’m in love with you, Ri,” he says, then he kisses my forehead, then my lips, lingering just long enough to make my breath catch.

Hunter doesn’t move at first. His jaw’s tight. His hands in his pockets like he doesn’t know what to do with them.

But then he crosses the space between us and cups my face in both hands.

“I don’t say it easy,” he says gruffly. “But I mean it harder than anything I’ve ever said—I love you, Rilee. So fucking much. I tried not to. But I do.”

He kisses me—hard and fast—like if he waits another second, he might break.

And just like that, I’m crying again.

Because I love them.

God help me, I love all of them.

“I love you too,” I say, the words tumbling out. “I’m so sorry. For leaving. For everything.”

Hunter pulls me into a hug, his arms strong and comforting. Caleb and Grayson join, enveloping me in warmth and love.

We pull back slightly, and I look at each of them.

“I have some explaining to do,” I say, wiping my tears. “First, I’m sorry I ran…”

“We’re here to listen,” Grayson says softly.

Just then, the front door swings open and Jules strolls in, balancing a smoothie, keys, and what looks like a bag of kale.

She stops mid-step when she sees us—me pressed between three very large, very attractive men.

Her eyes go wide. “Whoa. Okay.”

“Hey,” I squeak, trying to casually step out of Caleb’s arms. Grayson still has a hand on my waist. Hunter looks like he’s ready to throw me over his shoulder.

Jules blinks. “Did I interrupt… a meeting? Or… like… a group hug with abs?”

“No!” I say too fast. “Just, uh—friends visiting from home.”

“Right.” Her eyes flick between them. “Super friendly friends.”

Grayson offers a lazy smirk. Caleb waves. Hunter crosses his arms and says nothing, which somehow makes it worse.

“Well,” Jules says, backing toward her room. “Don’t let me interrupt whatever this… formation is. Just maybe, uh, sanitize surfaces after?”

She disappears before I can respond.

And I’m left standing in the middle of my living room, mortified.

Caleb grins. “She seems neat.” Then he nudges me with his elbow, eyes dancing. “So… we gonna see your room or what?”

I roll my eyes, but the flush in my cheeks betrays me. “Sure. It’s not much.”

I lead them down the short hallway and push open the door to my tiny, box-shaped sanctuary.

Grayson immediately ducks his head to step inside. Caleb whistles low. Hunter leans in, takes one look at the narrow twin bed, and mutters, “That’s not a bed. That’s a punishment.”

Caleb flops down sideways and his feet hang off the end. “This wouldn’t even fit Grayson’s left bicep.”

Grayson just raises a brow and smirks.

“I wasn’t exactly planning for a… crowd,” I say weakly.

Hunter glances over his shoulder toward the shared wall. “And I’m guessing your roommate doesn’t want to hear the four of us rediscovering your g-spot at midnight?”

“Hunter,” I hiss, cheeks flaming.

He shrugs. “Just being practical.”

Caleb stands and brushes off his jeans. “Okay. Hotel it is.”

“I should grab some clothes,” I say, moving toward my dresser.

“Absolutely not,” all three of them say in unison.

I freeze, blinking. “I’m sorry?”

“You’re not lifting a finger,” Grayson says firmly.

“We’ve got clothes,” Caleb adds.

Hunter’s mouth quirks. “And if not… we’ll figure something out.”

I should be embarrassed.

But mostly?

I’m smiling like a lunatic as I grab my bag anyway—just in case.