When we get to the office door, Trey knocks.
“What?” Lincoln’s voice is muffled and irritable.
Trey opens the door, and we step inside. Link is slouched in his rolling chair, his chin propped on one hand, staring at his laptop screen. A small desk lamp gives the space a warm glow. The walls are adorned with framed movie posters:Romeo + Juliet,The Princess Bride, andThe Empire Strikes Back.
“When were you going to tell me that Flowers and her band of merry men were coming to stay with us?” Trey asks, giving him a pointed look.
Link’s gaze softens when it falls on me, and I swear the corner of his mouth ticks up. “Sorry, I guess it slipped my mind this morning.” He stiffens when he notices B, glaring at him with cold, murderous gray eyes. I’d get chills if I didn’t know him so well. The silence is heavy as they size each other up.
Link finally blinks and looks over at Trey. “I’ll fill you and Charlie in shortly, but they’re staying with us in the theater suite for a while. Things got dicey with the step-asshole, and they need to lay low.” Link gives Seb and Brantley an appraising look. “Though we only have one bed up there.” He nods between me and the guys. “Not to be an asshole, but is this really a thing or can I book Brantley into a hotel?”
“C’mon, man, we were friends?—”
“Yes,beforeyou broke her fucking heart.” Lincoln stands abruptly, and B flinches. Seb steps forward protectively. “Did you need me to beat your ass to remind you?Again?”
“Again?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
His eyes never leave B. “Three years ago. Right after you guys broke up. I cornered him and asked if he was going to make it right because I knew for a fucking fact that he was in lo?—”
I reach for Lincoln’s trembling hand, interrupting him. His dark brows knit in confusion “It’s really a thing, Lincoln. If you hit him, I’ll hit you harder.”
Seb nods. “She will. I might too.”
Link rolls his eyes. “Fine.”
Trey places his hands on Link’s shoulders and whispers something in his ear. Lincoln nods reluctantly, his eyes on us, but a small smile graces his lips when Trey kisses the side of his head and pulls back. I’m always struck by how fucking cute they are together.
“I’ll show you to the room,” Trey says, and we back out of the office.
“Flowers?” Link calls as I turn to leave. He approaches me and gives me a quick, stiff hug. “I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Lincoln Evans,” I say with mock shock as I pull back, my hand resting on my chest. “Careful, or I might think you really care.”
He looks at me deadpan, and I wink at him before I follow the guys out of the room.
“They still hate me,”B says, flopping onto the bed dramatically. The bedroom suite is large with a king-size bed, two nightstands, and a closet. The walls are dark gray, but it’s decorated with old movie posters and thick red curtains to match the cinema theme. Trey said they added the room about a year ago to use when he and Link had to screen late movies or stay after hours for events.
Sebastian retreats to the bathroom to shower, and I sit next to Brantley, my hand running along the soft gray duvet.
“Can you blame them?” I ask. “To say you destroyed me is an understatement.” B looks over at me guiltily, but I continue because it’s probably time he really heard it. “I was inconsolable for weeks—if not months—honestly, I don’t really remember. And Charlie, Link, and Trey had a front-row seat to the carnage.”
“You’re right. I don’t blame them for hating me, I guess. They can’t hate me more than I already hate myself. I just miss them, and their resentment just reminds me of what I did to you.”
I run a hand through my hair and tilt my head. “I was so angry. I didn’t even realize how hard or fast I’d fallen until you shut me out, and by then, it was too late.”
B’s dark-blond hair is a shaggy mess across his forehead, and his eyes are red and unfocused as he stares ahead. “I thought I’d made the right choice at first, you know? Despite how shitty I felt afterward, I focused on hockey, and it paid off. I was a Canuck at the top of my game. I was making a ton of my own money. For once, I didn’t have to rely on my rich father. I had some really good teammates who kept me motivated and distracted.” Heflushes. “I even had a couple one-night stands thinking that was expected of me as a sports star, though only women, of course. God forbid I came out as a queer pro hockey player.”
My stomach twists with jealousy, but I swallow it down.
B’s expression sours. “Not that there aren’t players who are out, but I was so scared they’d drop me and then I’d have to go crawling back to my dad.”
“You did well, B. I…I watched every game. And I was so fucking proud of you.” I reach for his hand and our fingers interlock. “My obsession with you was never fair to Anna, but fuck, she was so understanding. I said I just liked watching hockey, but it was obviouswhyI watched it. She knew who you were and what you had done. She knew I was nursing old wounds.” Moisture gathers in my eyes, and I wipe them quickly. “The night of the accident was when I knew for sure I’d never get over you.”
“You…” He seems to struggle with the sentence, his voice shaking. “You watched my games?”
I nod. “Every one. And then, after you went to the hospital, I had to see you. I was so scared. I had to see for myself that you were okay.”
He sits up and turns to look at me. Our lips are inches apart. “You were there?” His breath brushes over my face.
