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“Even Holden? That guy is trouble with a capital T.”
“Even Noah.” I smiled, watching as he, Aiden, and some of the other guys from the team goofed around with a football.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Carson nudged my shoulder with his.
“It’s just hard sometimes… knowing that Dalton never got to have this.”
“He would have had something to say about you and Dumfries, that’s for sure.”
“Cars.” I rolled my eyes at him.
“What? I’m just saying, if Dalton was around to see you fall in love with a Laker, he would have—” A tear slipped free, and Carson pulled me into his arms. “I miss him too, Bug. But he’d be so proud of you, so fucking proud. Even if you went and fell for a hothead like Aiden.”
“You’ll watch out for him this season, right? Keep him on the straight and narrow.”
“Come on, Bug.” His mouth twitched. “You know it’s my job to ride his ass.”
“Ride whose— Freckles, what’s wrong?” Aiden appeared in the doorway.
“Nothing.” I wiped my eyes with the back of my sleeve and gave him a weak smile. “I’m fine.”
“Coach, do I need to be concerned?”
“Nothing you can’t handle, Dumfries.” Carson clapped Aiden on the shoulder. “I’ll see the two of you out there in a bit.” He gave me a kiss on the cheek, and understanding passed between us.
Carson hadn’t been happy about Aiden and me at first, but he’d quickly come around. How could he not when I finally felt like I was getting my old self back. The girl who loved her family and Dupont Beach and hockey, and days out on the boat.
I’d stayed away for almost four years when really all I needed was to come home.
And met a bad boy hockey player who pushed me out of my comfort zone as much as he pushed my buttons.
AIDEN
“Freckles?” I pulled Dayna into my arms and gazed down at her.
“I’m fine, I promise. Just silly old grief rearing its ugly head.”
“What did I tell you? It isn’t silly.” Sliding my hand under her jaw, I tilted her face to mine and captured her lips in a soft kiss. “You want to get out of here?”
“No, no. I want to stay. These guys are important to you. And I like Ella. She’s really nice.”
“Not as important as you are to me,” I said. “Ella is good people, though. The two of you can hang out when you come visit me on campus.”
Carson had invited the team out to Dupont Beach for a little preseason bonding. It was good to see them. But right now, Dayna is my priority.
She gave me a shy smile. “It’ll be nice to have a girlfriend to spend time with.”
“I suppose we can hang out with Con and Ella sometimes. When I’ve gotten my fill of you.” I nuzzled her neck, kissing the skin there.
“Aiden, I—”
“Shh.” I pressed a finger to her lips, meeting her gaze. “Don’t say it, not tonight. Not when I can’t immediately bury myself inside you.”
Dayna whimpered, “You can’t say stuff to me like that when we’re in public.”
“I can say what I like, freckles. And later, when I’ve got you all alone, I’m going to strip you naked, lay you out on my bed, and show you exactly what you mean to me.”
Because Carson had finally gotten over himself enough to let Dayna stay over.
