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He’s my brother, and I’m not going to lie to him, but I also made a promise to Scarlett not to tell secrets that aren’t mine to share.

“I can’t really share all of the details of our engagement, but the way I look at it, I’m getting another shot with the one woman who’s knocked me on my ass and left me wanting more.

Trust me, I didn’t go into this without thinking about Gemma and Gunner.

I’d like to be there for them in whatever capacity Scar is okay with, even if that’s just being another role model to them. ”

And I mean that. Even if our agreement has an end date, I’ll still treat them as my family every step of the way, and after if she’ll let me. In the short amount of time I’ve spent around them, they’ve already taken up residence in my heart, just like their older sister.

Jax looks down and plays with the peel of his beer bottle, seemingly lost in thought.

When he looks up, he holds my stare as he says, “I can’t think of a better role model for any kid to have than you, B.

Hell, you’ve been the best big brother and role model to me and Walker our whole lives so you’ve had plenty of practice. ”

The sincerity shining in his eyes has me clearing the emotion clogging my throat. “Thanks, Jax. That means a lot.”

He brings me in for a hug, and once he’s pulled away, he does what he does best—he completely ruins the sentimental moment between us with a snarky remark. “I can’t wait to see what the ladies think of Daddy Bennett.”

“Oh, I do like the sound of that,” Scarlett hums in approval from where she stands behind us.

After I’ve given Jax a shove for his comment, I turn my attention to Scarlett to find her biting her bottom lip, her cheeks flushed.

“Do you?” I ask, trying to mask the humor in my tone because I think my fiancée may be slightly buzzed from only one drink.

“Yep. And here I thought I’d come see what was taking so long with my drink, but I wasn’t expecting to come over here and hear you talking about how many babies you were planning to knock me up with.” She punctuates her statement with a bop to my nose.

Okay so maybe a little more than slightly. “Jesus, I didn’t realize I was marrying such a lightweight.”

“Buckle up, Benny Boy, you’ve got so much to learn,” she singsongs.

“Ah, hell, the two of you are adorable. She calls you Benny Boy and you call her Little Red,” Jax points out, shaking his head.

“ I can’t wait to add that into my best man speech.

You’re turning my brother into a simp. He might even give Griff and Carsey a run for their money soon,” he tells Scarlett.

“Who said you were the best man?” I toss back.

“If you choose Griff over me, I’ll never forgive you,” Jax warns.

“No, I think maybe I’ll ask Griff to get ordained as payback for him having me officiate their wedding.”

“When is the big day?” Jax asks.

“We haven’t gotten that far in the planning yet. We should probably tell our families before we set a date,” Scarlett explains.

“Yeah, that makes sense. Which reminds me, I forgot to ask, what does your grandfather think of all this?”

Scarlett gives him a sheepish look. “I haven’t exactly told him that I’m marrying the captain of his hockey team just yet.”

“Oh, shit. This just keeps getting better. Between your grandfather and our old man, I’ll be praying for the two of you,” Jax says before grabbing his beer and heading back to the table where Griff and Carse are sitting. “It was good talking to ya, sis,” he calls over his shoulder.

I notice the change in Scarlett’s posture and demeanor almost immediately. Goddammit, Jackson.

Gently grabbing her chin, I look into her whiskey eyes and shake my head. “Hey, don’t listen to him, he was only giving us a hard time.”

“No, he’s right. What will your dad think of this? He’ll probably think I’m some gold digger only marrying you for your money and status.” The words rush out of her in panic and I’m consumed with the urge to put her at ease.

“Scar, you’re about to become the owner of the NHL team I play for. If anyone looks like they’re marrying for money or status, it’s me in this situation. And my father will gladly point that out, I’m sure,” I say, but it doesn’t seem to work because she goes on as if she hadn’t heard a word .

“And my grandfather will probably scold me for fraternizing with a player. Oh my god, I wouldn’t be surprised if he just sells the team once he forbids us from marrying each other.”

I place my hands on each of her shoulders and meet her frazzled gaze. “Scarlett, take a deep breath with me,” I tell her and watch as she deeply inhales and exhales along with me. “Good. Now, do you have your engagement ring with you?”

“Yes,” she answers, her brow wrinkling in confusion.

I take one of my hands off her shoulders to look at my watch to see what time it is. “Do you think Joseph will still be awake? It’s a quarter after nine.”

“I’m not sure, probably.”

“Alright, here’s what we’re going to do.

We’re going to go to your room to grab your engagement ring and a glass of water to sober you up a smidge, then go to your grandfather’s room.

There’s no sense in delaying the inevitable; I think it’s better to get it out of the way.

Especially now that some of the team knows, I think it’d be worse if he heard the news from someone else. ”

Scarlett’s expression sobers before she nods in agreement. “It’s your funeral, Wilson,” she says before turning toward the elevators. I fight back a groan at the extra swing in her hips as she walks away from me.

I don’t follow her out of the bar right away, instead, I head back to the table and toss some cash on it. “We’re headed in for the night,” I tell the guys, grabbing a bun from the bread basket sitting in front of them to give to Scarlett.

“Have fun, Benny Boy,” Carse teases.

“But not too much fun,” Jax adds.

“Don’t listen to him, have all the fun you want, B,” Griff says before I turn and toss my middle finger up at them as I make my way to the elevators where Scar is waiting for me .

She turns and gives me a saccharine smile that has me rolling my eyes and tossing the bun to her. Like I said, my fiancée would probably be endearing if she didn’t drive me wild.