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“Oh yeah! Best gift ever.”

“You won’t be saying that tonight,” Nolan murmured in his ear, “when I get you into bed.” He took in Eli’s flushed cheeks and the full cup of beer he’d refilled at some point. “Assuming you’re still conscious.”

“Imma stop drinking right now.”

Somehow, Nolan doubted that.

Mr. Wiggles clutched to his chest, CC looked a little like he was about to cry.

“I promise I’ll take good care of him,” Zanetti said gently.

CC narrowed his eyes. “No lemonade baths?”

Zanetti made an X over his chest. “Cross my heart.”

“This is so very weird,” Nolan muttered to himself before following Eli inside.

Where he was finally able to introduce himself to Bennett Jackson.

“Good to meet you,” Bennett said from where he was pouring himself a glass of water at the counter. “I hear you’re assessing team culture.”

“Yeah.” Nolan leaned on the counter’s other side. “I was hoping I could pick your brain about anything team culture-related that you might’ve observed while you were filming last season.”

“Sure. I’d love to help. I can also send you any relevant notes I might have.”

“I appreciate it. Any chance you have time to meet the second week of December?”

The Trailblazers were heading out on a road trip in a few days, and Nolan was going with them.

Bennett gave him his number so they could work out timing later. He had a few things on the go that he needed to work around, and he’d be back and forth between Burlington and Los Angeles for the next few weeks, but that was fine. Nolan wasn’t in a rush.

Once he’d finished typing Bennett’s number into his phone, he glanced up and found the guys seated at the kitchen table, each with a shot glass.

“Do I want to know what’s going on over there?” Nolan asked Bennett.

Bennett grinned and tucked a stray strand of hair behind an ear. “Two truths and a lie. If you guess the lie wrong, you take a shot.”

“Christ,” Nolan said on a groan.

“You’re next to me,” Eli said, patting the seat next to him.

Nolan almost bowed out. It wasn’t his place to sit among these guys like he belonged. He was supposed to observe them, not hang out with them. Hell, he’d already subconsciously clocked which of the single guys was and wasn’t in attendance.

And yet.

Bennett had somehow toed the line between observer and friend and was now included as part of the group.

But more importantly, Eli had invited Nolan so selflessly into his world, and Nolan wanted so badly to step into it, he could taste it.

Plus, none of these guys were looking at him like he shouldn’t be here. In fact, they’d greeted him earlier as if they’d expected him.

Maybe it was like Freddie had said—if he wanted to belong somewhere, he had to meet others where they were at.

And right now, where they were at was the kitchen table in Hughes’ home.

Nolan sat.

Hughes immediately slid a full shot glass toward him.