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Another Wednesday, another book club. We're reading a book about a billionaire with a dog who ran into a woman on the streets of New York, and now they’re dating.

Abby and Hannah are doing their usual back-and-forth, ridiculous voices, and even more ridiculous hand gestures as they read the different points of view in the book. It’s entertaining, to say the least.

I watch as they get to a part they think is cute, and both of their eyes widen. Abby’s hand flies to her chest, and Hannah rests hers on my brother's thigh. In unison, they look at each other and let out an “Awww!” The room erupts in laughter.

My eyes are drawn to Abby, her guard is down tonight.

I’ve never seen her like this, docile almost. She glances over at Hannah, something that looks a bit like longing crosses her face, but it disappears a second later when she gets up and walks into the kitchen.

I’m sitting in my usual spot at their kitchen island, so I have a front-row seat as she opens the fridge, takes out an apple, washes it, cuts it into eight pieces, and then proceeds to take the skin off.

Her face is blank, yet you can tell she’s deep in thought by the way she chews on her bottom lip. I watch as she moves to the cabinet next to their microwave and pulls out some peanut butter. Natural creamy. Excellent choice. Chunky peanut butter can go straight to the trash can.

Once she’s done loading her plate, she takes her normal spot on the couch between Reed and Monroe. Reed's arm is slung across the back of the cushion, he smiles down at her as she gets settled .

Something bubbles in my gut at the gesture, I look away to keep from making some comment that would not go over well for anyone.

That’s twice in the past few weeks his interactions with her have pissed me off.

I don’t understand it; I don’t care to. So, like I do with everything else, I just brush it under the rug.

“Does he even want a girlfriend? Isn’t he a player?

” I ask as they finish the chapters for this week.

That’s kind of a jab at Reed, but also a genuine question.

The man has had more girlfriends over the past year than I can count.

Where it came from all of a sudden, I don’t know, but it sounds like a PR nightmare.

Not to mention, having to be in close proximity to that many women sounds. .. awful.

Hannah looks at me and smiles; her acceptance of me despite everything I put her through means the world. “He was, but when the right person comes along... ” She winks over her shoulder at Greyson. “It makes you want to be better. Not only for them but for yourself, too.”

My brother looks at her like she hung the moon and all the stars.

To him, I guess she did; she’s the light that guides him out of the darkness.

I sometimes find myself wishing I had what they do.

And then, like a bullet train with no brakes, a thought slams into me, my eyes tracking to the woman who makes my blood boil.

Then I start to laugh, out loud. I’m sure I look like an idiot. All the eyes in the room are now pointed at me. “You okay, Tater Tot?” Hannah asks as concern coats her face.

“Yeah, I’m good. Just had a thought—a very silly thought,” I say as I shake my head, bringing my breathing back to normal.

“Care to share?” my brother adds. I shake my head, but his stare lets me know he isn’t going to let this go .

“Dr. Williams thinks I need to start dating again. Says I need to work on letting people in.” I lean back against the island.

Greyson’s growing smile matches the one on Hannah’s face.

But it’s the sudden rigidity of Abby that catches me off guard.

My eyes snag on hers, like a game of tug-of-war; we’re both willing the other to let go first. She scoffs, breaking the trance we’re in.

“It’ll be a cold day in hell before that happens,” she says under her breath.

“No, it won't,” Hannah says. She glares at Abby before her eyes meet mine.

“I think that's great. I know you think your past is a roadblock, but Tate, the right woman will help you through all that.” She has this uncanny ability to see straight through me, her eyes shine with love and acceptance.

“I know Nikki messed with your head, making you think you have to be gruff and tough. But under all those protective layers, any woman would be lucky to be on the receiving end of your love.”

She’s up and walking across the room before I have the chance to respond.

She wraps me up in a hug that, from anyone else, would be annoying, but from her, it’s a sisterly embrace.

One that lets me know she believes every word she says.

She pulls away but doesn’t go back to her spot.

She tilts her head to the side, a mischievous smile taking over her face.

“Can I set you up with Chelsea?! She works with me, and she’s the cutest little thing. ”

She’s bouncing on her toes, hands laced together under her chin, and that stupid smile that I can’t seem to say no to these days.

I swallow roughly, my eyes darting to my brother, who is still sporting a beaming smile, then they drift to Abby, who’s glaring at the back of Hannah’s head. Interesting .

Turning back to Hannah, I give her my most charming smile and say.

“Sure, Han. You can tell me about her later,” she squeals as she launches herself at me.

I wrap my arms around her waist and whisper, “I think you pissed off the pixie.” Pulling herself away from me, she turns and skips over to Abby.

“I know you don’t believe it, but he’s a good guy, and he deserves all the happiness in the world.

Just like you do.” She hugs Abby, then looks at Reed.

“Hey, maybe you two should get together.” He looks down at Abby and smirks.

My hands ball into fists on top of the counter as I squeeze the ever-loving hell out of my jaw.

My eyes lock with my brother's, and he winks at me. What the hell is he winking for?

After waking up at 4:30 this morning and working through a grueling practice, I’m exhausted, yet somehow, Greyson got me to agree to stop for coffee before he drove us both to the rink. “How’s the planning coming? Have you plotted Abby’s death yet?” My brother chuckles as he sips his coffee.

My eyes roll as my head bounces off the headrest. “No,” I hook my thumb into my chain, “She would have made a great drill sergeant, though.” His laugh is loud as it bounces around the car.

Abby’s working with the Junior Hawks today, something she’s been doing with the youth sports teams in the area since the carniv al Hannah put together a few years ago.

I step through the doors of the Hawks’ practice facility, heading toward her office, not expecting her to be in there.

Instead of the silence I was expecting, I’m met with little human giggles.

My shoulder meets her door frame as I take in the sight in front of me. Abby’s hair is pulled back with a clip; it’s out of her face but still flowing down her back in waves. Her eyes are focused on the ankle she’s wrapping. “Ms. Abby, what if we don’t have KT tape?” One of the boys asks.

She smiles down at him, “I’m giving a bunch to your coach, he’ll have some if you need it.

But any athletic tape will work, I’ll show you how to wrap with that too.

” She scrunches up her nose, “It’s just a little different.

” Her hand leaves the ankle and ruffles the boy's hair. This is her natural habitat, there are very few parts of her I admire more than when Abby’s this version of herself.

She hasn’t noticed me yet, and I didn’t notice who’s on the table until she looks up at him and smiles.

Freaking Reed, while her gaze bounces between his ankle and the kids, his bounces between hers and mine.

My jaw clenches as a smirk slides onto his face.

Her eyes move slowly to meet his, her bottom lip pulls between her teeth, and she bites down slightly.

Just enough for it to make me clear my throat, breaking the trance they’re in.

Her head snaps to the side, her eyes narrowing on me as soon as she sees me in the doorway. I swirl my nearly empty coffee, “Got places to be, Knight.” I mumble before turning and walking away.

It takes her ten minutes or so before the door swings open and she steps into the parking lot.

Her hand comes up to her forehead, blocking the assaulting sun as she scans the lot for me.

“We’re taking my car.” What other car would we take?

I roll my eyes a s she tosses her keys at me, barely missing my face, before rounding the back of her white Grand Cherokee.

“You drive,” she says, shocking me to my core.

Willingly giving up control? Never thought I’d see the day.

Hopping in the front seat, I curse under my breath as my knees hit the underside of the steering wheel.

God, this woman is tiny. After adjusting my seat, I wait for her to find whatever it is she’s looking for in the trunk.

Drumming my fingers against her steering wheel, I try be patient even though she’s taking her sweet ass time.

My annoyance ebbs when she slides in, handing me a cherry-flavored energy drink as she shuts the door. “Here,” she says.

I slowly take it from her, my eyes narrowing on her face. “Did you poison it or something?”

Her fingers are flying across the screen of her phone, and my free hand itches to snatch it from her.

She waves a manicured hand through the air, brushing my concerns to the side.

“Listen, Baby Wilder... If I wanted to kill you, I’d suffocate you.

” She shrugs, still not looking up at me.

“Watching you struggle would be half the fun.”

Popping the lid, I take a big gulp. The crisp bite of carbonation sends a wave of alertness through me. Ahh, yeah. This might have been exactly what I needed, not that I’ll tell her that.