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“Can you believe I’ve been married for four months?

” Hannah asks as she flops herself backward on her bed, sighing dreamily.

Honestly, I can’t. These past few months have flown by.

A random text here and there from the mysterious person who I swear is Nikki, but still can’t prove that yet.

Whoever it is, they're good at covering their tracks. It’s driving my brothers insane.

I’ve continued to meet with ‘Maria’ for coffee here and there, she’s posing as an up and coming lawyer in the area.

We all know that's a load of crap, but I don’t call her out on it.

She’s digging for information on my relationships, which makes me nervous because I don’t want to drag Tate or my best friend into this.

Not when she’s the happiest she’s ever been, not when she looks like the world is made of sugar, spice, and everything nice. Plus, Tatum and the Strikers are three games from the championship, and I’m not about to open that can of worms. We can hash it out after they win.

I sit in Hannah’s desk chair, swiveling side to side as I look around their bedroom.

Greyson did a fantastic job with this place.

He had it remodeled using her Pinterest board named “Dream House,” and it’s honestly perfect.

She was so surprised that she called me in tears when she realized Amy and I had helped decorate it.

“I can’t, it’s gone by so fast, but I’m really happy for you guys.

” I turn to the right and lock eyes with her, her smile soft but genuine.

“There are no more deserving people than the two of you.” She sits up against the headboard, crossing her sock covered feet at her ankles .

“How are you doing?” she asks, but she’s not really asking how I’m doing; she’s asking how I’m handling the change.

I appreciate it, but I really haven’t been alone.

Tate’s either at my apartment or I’m at his every night he’s here.

Something I love about my job with the Hawks is that they ask their employees what they want, what works for them.

I didn’t want to travel with the team because I didn’t want to leave Hannah alone.

Now that she’s got herself wifed up to a hockey player of said team, I get to stay with her while he’s gone.

Like now, I’ve been with her for two days, and Greyson is scheduled to walk through the door at any moment.

We get sister time, and it fills my soul, but it also makes it exponentially harder to keep things under wraps.

“I’m okay, really.” I clear my throat, knowing I have to tread lightly here.

“I made a new friend while you were on your honeymoon. Her name is Maria.” Her eyes narrow, she slowly crosses her arms, and huffs.

“You’re not being replaced, trust me. We just have coffee every now and then. ”

She opens her mouth to say something when the alarm beeps, indicating a door has been opened.

She sits up a little straighter, and Harley’s little nails scratch across the floor as she darts from the room.

I miss that little nugget almost as much as I miss her mom.

“Hey, Harley girl!” Greyson’s deep voice carries through the house.

I look over at my best friend, who is biting into her lower lip to keep from smiling.

I jerk my head toward the door and whisper, Go.

She doesn’t need to be told twice. As soon as she gets to the door, though, she’s met with Greyson’s chest. “Oof,” he says as he wraps his arms around her waist to keep her from falling.

“Sorry, Kitten.” he kis ses her long and slow.

I avert my eyes because one, awkward. And two, they need their privacy.

Hannah pulls away with a giggle, “Sorry, Abs.” I turn my body back to them just in time for Greyson’s eyes to widen comically as he realizes I’m sitting here.

A blush creeps up his face, only stopping when it meets his ears.

I smile in return, he’s so easy to work up.

Truly, the complete opposite of his brother.

I pat my thighs before standing and heading their way.

I drop my hand on his shoulder and squeeze, “Good game. You played well.” I give Hannah a hug before stepping away, but before I get too far, I turn and yell, “I’ll see you in my office to check your hip in the morning.

” His jaw drops as if he doesn’t already know I can tell even through the screen when they’re favoring one side or overcompensating for something else.

My phone rings as soon as I get in my car, smiling when I see the name. “Hey, Jen. How are you?” she chuckles before she asks if I’ll be at the gym today. “Yeah, I’m on my way there. I just left Hannah’s. Why?”

As much as I love her, she never calls, so I’m wondering if Nelson let her know what’s going on.

“I made pastelitos de queso.” My mouth waters as soon as I hear those words.

“I’m on my way to my sisters, but Nelly said you were having a hard time the other day.

Thought I’d drop some off on the way.” More beautiful words have never been spoken.

“I hope both sides of your pillow are always cold.” She snorts a laugh over the phone as we catch up on trivial things, only hanging up when I tell her I’m in the parking lot. I grab my bag out of the back seat, tuck my phone into the zippered pocket, then check my surroundings before getting out .

The familiar smell of the gym fills my nose as soon as I step through the automated doors.

Sweat mixed with the combined scents of leather and iron.

Metal mixed with the rubber of the mats, and of course, the smell of disinfectant that coats every surface.

Nelson’s face lights up when I step into the boxing section.

He’s got a bunch of equipment out, wiping down jump rope handles, and a punching bag that’s been unattached from its hook and is lying on the floor.

“Is this my torture chamber for the day?” I ask as I put a hand on my hip and drop my bag on the floor outside the ring.

He chuckles a dark, devious chuckle. I start to ask him what's gotten into him when I’m met with the sight of Tatum in MMA shorts.

Dear Lord in Heaven, I’ve unlocked a new kink.

I lick my lips, and he tracks the movement and smirks.

Nelson’s head snaps back and forth between the two of us before he starts laughing.

The sound immediately puts a smile on my face.

I’m not even going to pretend he doesn’t look like a snack and a half right now.

I take a step toward him, lowering my voice so that only he can hear it.

“What’s a girl gotta do for you to wear those all the time?

” I wrap my arms around his waist and pull him into a hug.

I’m very aware that my coach is seeing all of this, and truth be told, I don’t really care.

“I missed you,” I murmur, he shivers in response as he brings his arms around the top of my shoulders, resting his chin on the other side of my head.

He’s been gone for four days, I never thought his absence would be so palpable.

“Missed you more,” he says with a squeeze.

“Figured I’d join you today.” He steps back, letting his arms fall to the sides.

I fight to keep the pout off my face, but don’t have to fight for long because before I can say anything else, a plate is shoved between the two of us .

My head slowly turns to my left as my eyes stay locked on the plate of cheesy pastries. “My Queen,” I say as I grab them and my bag before running to the locker room.

Jen and Nelson’s laughs follow me down the hallway.

Followed by a “Don’t eat those until you’re done!

I don't want to clean up chunky puke from the mats.” Charming.

But I don’t, I lock them up with my bag and head back out to the floor where three of my favorite people are deep in conversation.

“Let little butterfly here run you through stretches. Then we can start.” Nelson says to Tate, whose nostrils flare at the nickname.

“On your back, Sunshine.” His eyebrows fly up so fast I’m surprised they didn’t actually take off.

Jen is leaning over the ropes, watching our interaction as Nelson talks about all the fun things we’re going to do today.

It may as well be background noise at this point, though, because all I see is him and the grimace when I push his leg up a little too high to stretch out his hamstring.

I slowly lower his leg, but from the way he looks at me, he knows he’s been caught.

“What happened?” My hands fall to the crease of my thighs as I wait for his answer. He lifts himself up on his elbows and blows out a rough breath.

“I switched directions too fast last night. My cleat caught the grass, and it pulled my hamstring.” He has the good sense to look guilty, but he also has to know that he’s not sparring with me today. In fact, I’m going to give him some bands and sit his cute butt in timeout for even trying.

I stand, offering him my hand as I go. “You’re not working out on that.

” I point to his leg, his arms cross over his chest like he’s about to argue with me.

Too bad for him, I don’t give him a second to breathe.

“You have the biggest game of the season in a few we eks. Do not screw that up because you want to be a badass. We can do this anytime you want once your season is over.” His shoulders drop from where they were pulled into his ears.

A hand pushes through his hair as he nods. “Good boy,” I say as I pat his cheek. His eyes widen as a fire sparks to life behind them. Hmm, someone likes praise. I’ll keep that in my back pocket for later.

“He’s got an injury he was trying to sneak by me,” I tell Nelson as I step off the mat, heading to the corner where I keep my personal resistance bands. His head shakes, but a smile stays firmly on his face as he watches us.