Page 59

Rilee

The house is perfect in that sun-drenched, too-good-to-be-true way only Southern California rentals can be.

White stucco walls, big windows, a backyard pool that glitters in the late afternoon light.

There’s a lemon tree near the fence, a patio strung with fairy lights, and enough space inside to actually breathe.

It’s nothing like my tiny apartment.

We talked about a hotel, but landed on a rental house instead—something private, with space, a private pool, and the idea that they’d stay for a while. Neither Caleb nor Grayson have jobs lined up after graduation, and training doesn’t start for Hunter for a few weeks.

Inside, it smells like fresh linen and something citrusy.

The kitchen gleams. The bedrooms are huge.

There’s a fireplace in the living room and a deep soaking tub in the master bath.

Outside, the pool is edged with smooth stone and flanked by two chaise lounges that look like they were designed specifically for making questionable decisions.

And I can’t quite catch my breath.

Because suddenly, it’s real. They’re here. We’re here.

We set our bags down and it only takes about three seconds before I’m surrounded—Caleb pressing a kiss to my mouth, Grayson slipping a hand around my waist, Hunter’s fingers brushing the back of my neck like he’s checking to make sure I’m still real.

And I love them. I love them so much.

But right now, it’s too much.

“Guys,” I say, stepping back, voice soft but firm. “I think I need a minute.”

They all freeze.

“I just… I missed you. I did. But I’ve been in survival mode for weeks and this is a lot. Can we just take things slow?”

Grayson is the first to nod. “Of course.”

Hunter clears his throat and steps back too. “Guys, give her space.”

Caleb raises both hands in surrender, backing toward the kitchen. “Want me to go pick up groceries?”

“I’ll go with him,” Grayson adds, already grabbing the keys off the counter.

They head out, the front door swinging behind them.

I glance at Hunter. He gives me a small, almost-smile. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” I whisper. “I think I just need a shower.”

He nods. “I’ll be here.”

And somehow, that helps more than anything else could.

I lock the bathroom door behind me and sink onto the closed toilet lid, phone clutched in my hand. The cool tile presses against my bare feet, grounding me as I stare at the screen.

Lexi’s name stares back at me. I tap it before I can overthink.

She answers on the second ring.

“Hey, stranger! How’s sunny California?”

“Lex,” I whisper, voice tight. “They’re here.”

A beat of silence. “Wait, what? Who’s there?”

“Hunter, Caleb, and Grayson. They showed up. Rented a house with a pool. Said they want to figure things out.”

Lexi exhales sharply. “Wow. That’s… a lot.”

“Tell me about it.” I rub my temples. “I convinced myself I couldn’t have this. But now they’re here, and it’s like my brain short-circuited.”

“Do you want them to be there?”

I pause, heart pounding. “Yes. I don’t know. I missed them so much it hurts, but I’m scared. What if this doesn’t work? What if I get hurt again?”

“Rilee,” Lexi says gently, “it’s okay to be scared. But you don’t have to have all the answers right now. Take it one step at a time.”

I nod, even though she can’t see me. “You’re right. One step at a time.”

“Exactly. And remember, I’m just a call away if you need to talk or vent or anything.”

A small smile tugs at my lips. “Thanks, Lex. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Anytime, babe. Now go back out there and take a deep breath. You’ve got this.”

I hang up, feeling a little more centered. One step at a time.

A soft knock interrupts my thoughts.

“Rilee? You okay?”

Hunter’s voice is muffled but unmistakable.

I take a deep breath.

“Yeah, just… give me a sec.”

I splash cold water on my face, trying to steady myself. When I open the door, Hunter’s concern is evident.

“You sure you’re okay?”

I nod, forcing a smile. “Just needed a minute.”

He steps closer, his presence comforting.

“Come on,” he says gently. “Let’s get some air.”

We walk to the kitchen, the silence between us filled with unspoken emotions. He leans against the counter, watching me.

“I missed you,” he admits.

I look up, meeting his gaze. “I missed you too.”

He steps forward, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Can I kiss you?”

I nod, and his lips meet mine—soft, tentative, filled with longing. The world fades away.

He lifts me onto the counter, his hands gripping my hips. Our kisses deepen, passion igniting.

His hands skim under the hem of my shirt, slow and reverent.

My scrubs are pulled off, and his pants are worked open.

My breathing is a mess, and I clutch his shoulders like they’re the only thing tethering me to reality.

He presses the wide head of his cock forward, parting my lips, gazing down at the spot where we’re barely joined. It’s erotic… perfect.

“Wait,” I whisper against his mouth. “Do we need a condom?”

Hunter stills, looking at me with a gaze so honest it steals my breath. “There’s been no one else,” he says, voice low. “Since you.”

My heart lurches. “Me either.”

Something flickers in his eyes—something warm and wrecked.

Then his mouth crashes into mine again, and he pushes forward, past the resistance of my body—until there’s no space left between us.

“Rilee…” His voice breaks on my name.

I kiss him then—soft and deep—and it feels like a vow.

His thrusts are easy—slow and languid, like we have all day. Like we have forever to do this very thing. He feels so incredible moving inside me, his rough breaths against my lips, my hand over his heart… I can’t believe I ever thought I could live without this. Live without him.

“Missed you so much, Ri,” he says around a kiss. “You’re fucking perfect. For me. For us .”

“Yes,” I moan, falling deeper.

The front door opens. Closes.

Footsteps. Voices. A pause.

“Are you—holy shit.”

Grayson’s voice.

Caleb, laughing. “Guess we should’ve knocked.”

Hunter doesn’t pull away.

He just closes his eyes and exhales against my skin. “Ignore them.”

It’s easier said than done.

But Hunter’s lifting my chin to meet his eyes, and his movements quicken. His hips snap between mine in a way that makes me cry out, and then it’s just him and me…and two sulking hockey players trying to let us have our moment.

The California sun is obnoxiously golden, and somehow the backyard is even prettier than I imagined. There are string lights stretched across the patio and a pool that practically begs for cannonballs. It feels like a dream. Or maybe a movie set. And I’m the girl who somehow got cast as the lead.

I step out the sliding door in a red one-piece swimsuit, feeling the heat lick across my skin. Caleb’s sprawled on a lounge chair by the pool, sipping a lemonade like it’s his life’s purpose.

He looks up—and whistles. “Well, damn. You trying to kill me, Ri?”

I snort. “Just trying to catch some vitamin D.”

“You’re catching my entire soul.”

Grayson emerges from the house with a giant box in his arms. “Caleb and I got you something on our shopping trip.”

They’d come home with enough groceries to feed an entire hockey team, plus the frozen pizza I like and tampons. And apparently a… pool floatie?

He rips it open and reveals… a massive unicorn pool float. Rainbow mane. Gold horn. Full ridiculous glory.

I gasp. “Shut up. I love it.”

“I knew you would,” he says, grinning like the smug genius he is.

Hunter’s already shirtless, stretched out on the other lounge chair. He glances over with a lazy smile. “Only the best for our girl.”

And just like that, we’re floating. Me on the unicorn, the boys circling like sharks—Caleb poking at the float with a noodle, Grayson bringing out popsicles, Hunter occasionally splashing me just to see me squeal.

It’s loud and chaotic and perfect.

When the sun starts to dip and turn the sky blush pink, I perch on the edge of the pool, feet dangling in the water. The guys gather around like I’m the center of gravity—because, somehow, with them, I always am.

“So,” Caleb says, nudging my knee. “Tell us about work. What’s the verdict?”

I glance at him, then the others. “It’s…

a lot. But also incredible. We had a delivery yesterday—first-time mom, super nervous.

I got to be with her through the whole thing.

Coached her through every contraction, held her hand when she sobbed through transition, and then watched her hold her baby for the first time.

” My throat tightens. “It’s wild. How something so messy and raw can also feel sacred. ”

Grayson leans in, brushing a wet strand of hair from my cheek. “That’s because you make people feel safe. You always have.”

Hunter grunts in agreement. “I wouldn’t want anyone else delivering my kid.”

Caleb groans. “Bro. Not where I thought that was going.”

“I meant someday ,” Hunter mutters, and my heart does a weird, hopeful flutter.

Grayson leans over and bumps his shoulder against mine. “We’re proud of you.”

“Yeah,” Hunter says, all quiet conviction. “We know what it took to get here.”

My chest tightens in the best way.

I reach out and thread my fingers through theirs—one hand holding Caleb’s, the other brushing against Grayson’s. Hunter’s leg brushes mine under the water.

“Thanks,” I whisper. “For coming here. For being here. For not giving up.”

They don’t say anything.

They don’t have to.

Because the way they look at me—like I’m worth it, like I’m theirs—says everything.

And for the first time in weeks, I feel like I can finally breathe again.

Grayson’s hands find my waist as I drift in the pool, weightless and laughing. Hunter and Caleb are still splashing each other like toddlers, and for once, everything feels easy again. Light.

“You good?” Grayson murmurs, voice low against my ear.

“Better than good,” I whisper back, breath hitching when his thumbs sweep slow, lazy circles just beneath the band of my swimsuit.

“Come with me,” he says, tugging gently.