I swing the door open and have to hold back a gasp. Tweetie looks so handsome in his tuxedo. His normally wild tresses have been slicked back off his face. He takes his time taking me in, his eyes slowly roaming over my body and back up.

  Then his smile drops. “I don’t like this.” He steps into my apartment.

  I look down at my dress. “That wasn’t exactly the reaction I was going for.” I blow out a breath, shutting the door before a hand pops out and stops it.

  “He made me wait down the hall because, to quote him, ‘I wasn’t gonna see his hot-ass girlfriend before him.’” Decker steps into my apartment, shoving his hands into his pockets.

  “Thank you again for doing this,” I say to Decker, then eye Tweetie, who shakes his head. His mouth is a tight line.

  “Sure, and don’t worry, I was already given the rules on the way up,” Decker says.

  “What rules?” I ask, looking at Tweetie again.

  “No dancing. No touching. Definitely no kissing. Not even on the cheek. Honestly, I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to act like we’re two awkward teenagers at a church retreat.” Decker looks at Tweetie. “Did I cover it?”

  “Tedi,” Tweetie whines.

  I walk over to him and wind my arms around his neck. “You look very handsome.” I kiss him.

  Tweetie unwinds my arms, taking my hand, and tugs me down the hall. He doesn’t give an explanation to Decker as he leads me to my bedroom, shutting the door behind us. He sits on the edge of my bed. “I don’t like this.”

  I sit next to him and place my hand on his thigh. “It’s one night, and it’s not like we’re not going to be together. We can be the foursome who are stuck together like glue.”

  “Do you really expect me not to touch you?” His eyes narrow. “And seriously, look at what you’re wearing. My dick is already at half salute.”

  I giggle, and he growls. “It’s kind of a turn-on when you get all broody. I think it’s because you’re usually not like that.”

  He stands and shakes his head. “Please, Tedi, let’s just say fuck all this and run away together.”

  I meet him in the middle of the room. Picking up his hands, I place them on my hips and fiddle with his tie. “I’m yours. Just remember that tonight. I’m coming home with you. You’re going to be the one who unzips this dress. The one who watches it fall to the floor. The only one who will know what my skimpy black thong looks like. You’ll be the one who gets to kiss every inch of my skin.” I rise on my toes and kiss him. “Only you.”

  He blows out a breath and seems to calm a little.

  “Now, how do I look?” I do a little twirl.

  “Breathtaking.”

  I smile and tilt my head. “There you go. Thank you. Come on. Let’s just get this thing over with so we can come back here.”

  “How skimpy is the thong?” he asks when I open the door.

  “Would you rather I go without?”

  “Fuck no, because then I’ll out us before we even get into the venue.”

  I laugh and take his hand, pulling him across my apartment.

  Lyric is already out of the bedroom. She and Decker stand awkwardly by the kitchen island.

  “Okay, Tweetie, here’s your date and my friend, Lyric.” I bring Tweetie to my side and display my hands like Vanna White. “Lyric, Tweetie Sorenson.”

  Tweetie gives her a nod. “Don’t touch me tonight.”

  “Well, this is going to be fun.” She eyes Decker before grabbing her coat off the hook by the front door. “At least I got a great dress out of it.” She shoots me a reassuring smile.

  I gave her the whole lowdown of how Tweetie’s not really on board with this fake date thing so she could be understanding when his rare bear side emerges.

  I slip my shoes on, and Tweetie grabs my coat, holding it out for me. “Thanks.” I give him a smile.

  The entire time walking out of my apartment and climbing into the car Tweetie ordered for us tonight, Tweetie is tense. His back is straight, and he’s not nearly the charming guy he normally is.

  Part of me feels guilty. “If you’d rather not do this⁠—”

  He holds up his hand. “It’s fine. You’re not going to lose your job because of me,” he grumbles.

  “I’d rather lose my job than make you this uncomfortable.”

  He takes my hand and squeezes it. “It’s one night.”

  I look at Decker. “Keep Lyric company if this one abandons her”—I nod in Tweetie’s direction—“and I get pulled off to chat about something work-related, okay?” I don’t want her to have a shitty time. Plus, maybe Decker and Lyric will hit it off.

  Decker nods, a half-smile forming as though he might like that idea.

  We pull up to the venue, and I give Tweetie one more long kiss, then rub my lipstick from his lips. “I love you.”

  I move to get out of the car, but Tweetie tightens his grip on me. I turn around and he releases a long breath, then lets go of my hand. “I love you so much.”

  “I know,” I say.

  The door opens, and I accept a hand from the driver and step out of the limo. Decker steps out after me, and I hook my arm through his, the two of us walking into the venue.

  We manage to get through the doors and check our coats before someone grabs my hand and turns me around.

  “Saige!” I smile at my oldest friend and look around, noticing the rest of our friends from Florida.

  She tugs me away from the group. “Yeah, yeah, you can say your hellos after you tell me what the hell is going on.”

  “Tweetie!” the Florida guys all shout.

  I take one glimpse over my shoulder to see he’s left Lyric with Decker, and he’s being swarmed by all of his old teammates. Then my gaze snags on Kane and Jana, standing off to the side and watching it all. I really hope they can mend this rift at some point.

  Saige tugs me away from the group. “What is going on? Please explain to me why Tweetie is posting a picture of your tattoo. Are you guys back together? I’m assuming no since he showed up with some blonde on his arm?” She crosses her arms, her eyes spitting fire.

  “You look gorgeous,” I say.

  She nods, then glares. “Start talking.”

  I laugh and tell her we’re back together and everything that happened to get us there. Then I explain the Bud thing and how I don’t want to lose my job.

  I don’t bring up the fact that if Tweetie continues to play, there’s really only one way we can be together. I might have a tough decision to make. There’s no way I’m doing long distance again.

  “I cannot believe you made him bring a date.” Saige rolls her eyes. “Tedi, all that shit that you went through.”

  I shake my head. “I know. But honestly, I can’t explain it. Maybe I’ve matured, or maybe it’s because there’s been all this time…” I would never betray Tweetie and tell anyone about his past or his journals. But that was a huge part of why I’m okay with this plan. I don’t think he’d ever jeopardize us. “I think this is it for us. It’s our time. I don’t have those insecurities anymore. I know that man is as committed to me as I am to him. We just have some things we have to figure out before we can tell the world.”

  She pulls me into an embrace.

  “You’re going to mess up my hair.” I tighten my arms around her, and we hold one another for a minute.

  “I’m so happy for you. I’m happy for him. I’m happy for both of you.” She pulls back, tears in her eyes.

  Someone clears their throat next to us.

  We both turn to see Tweetie.

  Sixty

  Tweetie

  I say hello to all my friends, but my gaze tracks Tedi. Saige pulled her away the minute we got in here.

  “So, finally, huh?” Aiden punches me in the shoulder.

  “I think it’s great. She was always your one.” Imogen’s hand runs down my arm as her husband, Warner, puts his hand out for me to shake.

  “Is that how you’re still so fucking good on the ice?” Warner asks.

  I look around the area, but no one from the Falcons is here, and I trust my old teammates to not say anything.

  “It’s kind of under wraps,” I say.

  “Hence the blonde and her showing up with Decker Davis?” Aiden asks, eyebrow raised.

  I nod. I hate this, and I feel bad for leaving Lyric. She was nice enough to do this for us, and I’m definitely making the whole situation uncomfortable.

  I meant what I said in the car—Tedi’s not going to lose her job because of my bullshit. So I’ll play the part she wants me to as long as I’m the one who takes her home and I’m the one who holds her tonight.

  Saige squeals, and she and Tedi hug. I hope that means she’s on board with us, but there are a few things I need to straighten out while I’m here with the Fury. And the first one is with Saige.

  “I’ll catch you guys in there?” I nod toward the ballroom.

  Aiden nods, a smile playing at his lips because he probably knows what I’m about to do. “Her bark is worse than her bite.” He pats me on the shoulder.

  I walk toward Tedi and Saige and clear my throat to get their attention because the two of them act as if they’re in a goddamn bubble all the time. As if no one else is in the vicinity. They turn toward me, and Tedi’s grin is enough for me to know she’s falling a little deeper in love with me right now, knowing I’m here to talk to her best friend.

  “Hey, handsome. Are you here with anyone?” Tedi asks, pretending to flirt with me.

  “Not the person I want to be with.”

  She giggles and reaches her hand out but retracts it. That anger boils a little more inside me.

  “Don’t worry, the one you want will be in your bed tonight,” she says.

  “Do I have to stay here to pretend like we’re all in this conversation together? Because I have my own husband I need to flirt with since we have no kids with us this trip.” Saige thumbs in the direction I just came.

  “Actually, I came over here to talk to you,” I say, turning to her.

  “I’ll leave you guys to it.” Tedi walks by me, her finger discreetly running against my arm.

  “And I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t go dancing with Davis or anything,” I say over my shoulder.

  Tedi giggles, not telling me she won’t. Then Imogen giggles, and I see the two of them hugging.

  Saige crosses her arms and stares at me as though she’s waiting for me to fall to my knees and beg her to accept us. I’m ready to do it, but then she laughs. “It’s about fucking time you got your head out of your ass.”

  “You don’t need me to convince you?”

  Her arms loosen, and she tilts her head. “Tweetie, I know the kind of guy you are. You’re the same guy who made my best friend fall in love with him all those years ago. Now, I don’t love everything that went down, but if she’s ready to move on, which she seems to be, then I’m good.”

  “Seriously?” I arch an eyebrow.

  “What did you expect? That I’d put up a fight? I’ve always loved you, Tweetie.”

  I shrug. “I just thought I’d have to do more convincing.”

  She laughs. “You’re too hard on yourself.” She touches my forearm. “But you are aware that if things go south and it’s your fault, I’m not going to be so nice.”

  “I know, Saige.” I chuckle.

  “But that’s not going to happen. I have a great feeling about you two this time around. She seems…” She looks over to where Tedi is talking with Kane and Jana. “I don’t know. Maybe she’s done all this growth these last few years, and I didn’t see it because I’m such a big part of her life, but…”

  I don’t say anything because Saige is right. There’s something different with Tedi now. The old Tedi would have never orchestrated this night. She would have never been able to handle seeing another woman on my arm. It’s sexy as fuck that she’s so confident in us, in me. All this shit with Bud and my contract doesn’t mean anything. Maybe it’s time to hang up my skates and just be done with it all and focus all my attention on what means the most to me.

  “Yeah. I know what you’re saying.”

  “I can’t wait to see you two really together.” Saige gives me a big, cheesy grin, then squeezes my arm. “Now excuse me, I have to go seduce my husband.”

  But Aiden’s already on his way toward us.

  “I love her,” I say. “I know those are simple words, but the feeling that goes along with them isn’t. I have no way to convey how strongly I feel for her.”

  She nods. “Those of us who know, know. You don’t have to explain.”

  Then she walks away, and Aiden smiles at me over her shoulder. He whispers something in her ear, and she laughs.

  Tedi is still talking to Imogen, head tossed back in a laugh. Fuck, we’ve been here, like, fifteen minutes, and I already want her in my arms.

  But I’m a man on a mission, and I’m going to make this time count. We may not be able to act as though we’re a couple, but I can still solidify our future. So I head across the room to the next people I need to make amends with.

  Jana stiffens and taps Kane’s arm when she clocks my approach.

  “Tweetie.” Kane puts his hand out between us.

  I shake it and move my attention to Jana. “How are you guys?” I ask, hating the awkwardness between us.

  “We’re good,” Kane answers, and Jana’s silence doesn’t go unnoticed. “Busy with the kids.”

  “I’m sure. Listen.” I look over my shoulder. “I just wanted to say, I’m sorry.”

  Jana sucks in a breath.

  “Tweetie, you don’t have to—” Kane begins, but I interrupt.

  “I do. I acted like an asshole. It hurt, it did, but I understand that you had a business to run. At the time, I was pissed, and I was hurt, but mostly I felt betrayed by you guys because we were friends. When it all went down with Tedi, I think… no, I know I blamed you both. Thought you ruined my future—my career and with Tedi. And I’ve held that blame and resentment all these years. I just wanted to come over here and say I’m sorry.”

  “It was such a hard decision for us. I don’t want you to think we went into it lightly,” Jana says.

  “Honestly, looking back now, I’m not sure you would’ve soared with us like you have. Warner’s still there, and you aren’t the kind of guy who wants to play second line his entire career. You’re too good for that.” Kane runs his hands through his long hair. “Look at you now. You’re a force to reckon with. You, Aiden, and Warner are the final three left from that dynasty. Cory, but he’s still got age on his side. All that to say, I think you ended up right where you should have. The star on a team. An integral part of the team. Fucking Jagger Kale with his Trifecta.” He rolls his eyes.

  “Jealous?” I grin.

  “Fuck yeah, you guys are unbeatable this season,” Kane says.

  Jana steps up to me. “I’m going to let you guys talk, and I’m going to find the other women.” She looks me in the eyes. “Thank you for the apology, and I want to say I’m sorry too. We’ve had a lot of regrets, and letting you go was at the top of our list. Which was why we tried to get you back.” She glances at her husband. “Unsuccessfully. But I heard a rumor, and I’m happy to see all the stars are aligning again. And when you’re on that bus with the Cup in your hand and your girl on your side, just remember… you have me and Kane to thank.” She laughs. “Just kidding. Good luck for the rest of the season, and this better mean you’re coming down to Florida to visit. Payton and Axton still talk about you at Ford’s retirement party and how you got the whole room to dance.” She hugs me.

  “You can count on it. Thank you.”

  She kisses Kane on the cheek. “Now I need some girl time. See you, boys.”

  Aiden and Warner come over, and we talk hockey, life, and all of their stories involving kids and wives and trips make me excited for the adventures Tedi and I are going to have.

  Finally, I feel as though I’m on track to have the life I’ve always wanted.

  Sixty-One

  Tedi

  I tuck myself into a corner near a large potted plant and send a text to Tweetie.

  He’s across the room with Aiden, Warner, Rowan, and Henry. At first, I felt bad for Lyric. Other than dinner, neither of us has really talked to our dates. But Decker’s taken the responsibility of getting her a drink and keeping her entertained. I was ready to send her to an expensive spa and give her the works, but she’s been chatting with Decker since Tweetie and I left the table separately. Maybe I made a love connection.

  Tweetie pulls his phone out of the inside of his tuxedo jacket, and I watch the small smile crease his lips when he reads my message. He searches the room, and when his gaze lands on me, butterflies flutter in my tummy from his knowing smile.

  He tucks his phone back into his pocket and excuses himself, disappearing through the doors into the hallway.

  I follow a short distance behind. When I reach it, the door to the coatroom is barely open, so I look both ways. Not seeing anyone, I slide in, shutting the door behind me.

  I’m not more than two feet inside before an arm hooks me around my waist and pulls me between two rows of coats. My back lands against the wall, and Tweetie’s body cages me in.

  “That was sexy,” I whisper.

  He waggles his eyebrows in the dim light. “I’ve got moves better than that.”

  “I know you do.”

  I kind of love the fact he hasn’t even tried to kiss me yet. That he’s just happy to have me alone in a room.

  “You’ve been like a politician the way you’re working the room tonight.”

  He rests his forehead against mine, breathing me in. “I’ve been a horrible date.”

  “I think Decker’s probably thankful for that.”

  He draws back, and I nod.

  “Does that mean I get you alone in the car on the ride home?” His fingers roam over my ribcage, his thumbs close to the bottom of my breasts. It only makes me grow hotter for him as my nipples pebble.

  “We do have to keep up appearances, but if we outstay everyone, I can’t see why not.”