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I’m surrounded by children.
PULLING UP TO THE private jet, the car comes to a stop, and Tessa looks up from her phone. She looks around and her brows furrow.
“Are we here? Wait, where are we?”
Colby’s face splits into a shit-eating grin, and he winks at her. “You’re about to meet the boys.”
The three of us get out of the car, and I hand my keys to the gentleman who is going to move it for me. Tessa walks around to the back of the SUV, and her jaw drops when she sees the plane in front of us.
“We’re going on that?”
I smile, pulling the suitcase from the car. “You think you live the high life because you and your friends run around spending Daddy’s money? Cherry Bomb, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
Our fingers lace together, and I pull her to the stairs of the jet, trying to ignore that I’m making a big move here—one that is as risky as it is serious. Introducing Tessa to the team was never a thought in my mind until it was. And once it was there, I couldn’t seem to get it out.
We get onto the plane and the minute they see me, the energy level multiplies. Shouts of my name fill the small space, and I can’t help but smile. I may not be on the team anymore, but for all intents and purposes, these guys are my family.
“Tess, you know Griffin and Colby, but these are the rest of the guys,” I tell her, then turn to my team. “Guys, this is Tessa.”
One by one, they each get up to give her a hug—greeting her in a way that makes me super uncomfortable, but I know they’re doing it to fuck with me. Once they’re done, I pull her into my arms and hold her possessively. She rolls her eyes at the gesture, but I can see the smile she’s trying to hide.
“All right, settle down,” Coach says as he steps on board. His eyes meet mine, and he smiles. “Hawthorne. It’s good to see you.”
I shake his extended hand. “I’ve missed you, Coach.”
“We’ve missed you, too. There hasn’t been anyone to keep that one in line.” His head nods toward Colby, and I laugh.
“Please. I couldn’t keep him in line when we lived together. I sure as shit have no chance now.”
Tessa laughs and throws herself in Colby’s lap, much to my dismay.
“I think he’s perfect,” she coos playfully and pinches his cheeks.
He stands up with her in his arms, handing her over. “Sorry, babe. I like my balls attached.”
She chuckles and bops me on the nose. “Yeah, he’s a bit of a jealous one, isn’t he?”
“I’m right here, and I can hear you.”
“I know.” She grins, and I put her down.
“Coach, this is Tessa.”
His brow, which was knitted tightly during that whole scene, relaxes and he masks his previous expression with a smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Tessa.”
“You, too,” she replies politely.
After making sure everyone’s here, Coach heads up to the cockpit to tell the pilot we’re ready for takeoff. I lead Tessa over to our seats and sit her between me and the window. She lets me buckle her in and rests her head back, turning to look at me.
“So, where are we going exactly?”
I smirk, knowing this is the best part of the whole thing. Well, second best. The best she’ll get tomorrow night.
“Miami.”
Her eyes widen excitedly. “For real?”
I nod, and she grabs my face in her hands to pull me in for a kiss. When she pulls away, I smile so wide I can feel my dimples popping. She bites her lip and pokes one of them with her finger.
