I bend to reach into the small fridge built into the bar unit, then pass out bottled waters to the men. After, I pour myself another glass of scotch. I don’t have to worry about a hangover, but this is only my third drink of the evening. My last, too.
No one bothers to take a seat, pushing away the stools that circle the bar. They lean their elbows on the stone top and it’s not lost on me as I’m behind the U-shape of the bar that they’re circled around the outside, which makes it a bit of an intimate huddle of friends.
“Tonight was really great,” Bishop says. “We needed this.”
“Yeah,” Tacker agrees. “This was perfect. We needed to just settle.”
I shrug, not wanting to admit to my interference. “We just needed to focus on the fact we are more than just a sports team. We’re a family, and no matter what fucking happens tomorrow… we’ll do it together as a family.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Erik says with a grin. He holds his water bottle up, which garners mutters of agreement.
“Any word from Rafe?” I ask Wylde.
It’s been a week and a half since Rafe’s dad died on the day the Cold Fury had game one against the New York Vipers in their conference finals. He didn’t play in that game, but I noticed he was back for the next three where the Cold Fury swept their opponents in four games, securing their spot in the Cup finals.
While we’ve been battling, scraping, and clawing our way through this series, the Cold Fury has been recovering and regaining their strength while waiting to see who they’d play.
“It was good for him to get right back on the ice,” Wylde says. “Said it was his dad’s wish for Rafe not to miss any games after he died. They’ll have a memorial service after the playoffs are finished.”
There’s admittedly a small part of me that’s a bit regretful Rafe isn’t still with us. But I’m happy he was able to spend those precious weeks with his dad before he died, and he’s still able to play. It’s probably the best thing for him.
“I think it bears saying again,” Wylde continues, and there’s something in his tone that has all our eyes glued on him. “It was a real decent thing you did by trading him.”
I brush the compliment off. “I seem to recall asking each of your opinions on the matter, and you all agreed we should do it. It was as much your decision as mine.”
“But you’re the boss,” Legend points out. “It was your call and your skills that got Gray Brannon to make the deal.”
“Regardless,” Wylde says softly. “I know from personal experience… you could not have handed Rafe a better gift.”
Tacker’s gaze drops and he nods as if he knows exactly what Wylde is referencing. Of course, he would. He and Wylde have been best friends for a long time.
There’s pain and regret in Wylde’s tone, and I want to know more because I apparently can’t fucking help myself when it comes to my guys. I open my mouth to ask what, but the sliding door opens. Then, the women come pouring out onto the patio.
“Okay, boys,” Brooke announces as she walks up to Bishop. “As the self-appointed captain of the better-half squad—”
“The better-half squad?” Wylde asks with a laugh.
“That’s us women,” Brooke replies, circling her hand to indicate said females. “You know… the better halves of you men.”
“Speak for yourself,” Wylde retorts with a sly wink. “I’m a better half all unto myself.”
“You’ll have a good woman one day,” Pepper reassures him as she leans over and playfully punches him in the arm.
“No thank you,” he drawls, then gives a faux shudder to make sure we understand he likes being single.
“Anyway,” Brooke continues as she loops her arm through Bishop’s. “It’s getting late, and we want you guys to get a good night’s sleep. So we’re busting up this party and forcibly removing you from Dominik’s house.”
Willow is the last to step out onto the patio. She holds a glass of wine, a smile gracing that beautiful face.
The men straighten, move back from the bar, and pair off with their woman. All except Wylde, that is, who doesn’t ever seem to be bothered during these get-togethers over being the lone single man left in this group.
“Looks like we’re calling it a night,” Erik muses as he grabs Blue by the hand.
“I’ll walk you out,” Willow offers, moving to the bar and setting her glass down next to mine.
“Don’t bother.” Nora waves her off as Tacker puts his arm around her shoulder. “We’ll see ourselves out. You two stay out here and enjoy this gorgeous night.”
That’s all I need to hear. I reach out, nab Willow by the elbow, and pull her into my side. When I put an arm around her back, she reciprocates. We stand side by side as our guests—yes, our guests—disappear through the patio door and into the house as they call out farewells.
When the door closes, we silently watch the gang through the large windows along the patio. They meander through the house and right out the door. I file away a reminder to engage the lock before we go to bed.
I pick up my scotch, lean an elbow on the bar, and tip my head toward Willow. “Thank you.”
She takes her glass of wine, shifts her body to face me, and also puts an elbow on the bar. “What for?”
“For just being you,” I say, touching the tip of my glass to hers. “And for being more.”
Willow smiles, eyes dropping to her wine before raising the glass to her lips. She takes a small sip. “I’m glad you liked the more.”
She knows exactly what I’m talking about. That I’ve noticed she’s taken the next step to moving our relationship forward.
I also know she wouldn’t want me making a huge deal about it. Willow’s working through her trust issues. She’s slowly learning I’m not going to hurt her, and she’s taking tentative baby steps to meet me halfway.
Still, I do need her to know one thing. I learned a hard lesson as a child, that nothing is ever guaranteed and the people we love can be taken from us without any warning or reason. It taught me never to hold back on how I feel.
Setting my glass down, I take Willow’s from her hand and place it on the bar. Framing her face with my palms, I bend to put my face near hers. She blinks, waiting patiently and without fear to hear what I have to say that’s so important I need to hold her attention like this.
“I’m crazy about you, Willow,” I say softly, bending so I can brush my lips against hers. Pulling back just enough so I can see her again, I continue. “You need to know when all this started, I was on the same exact page you were. It was supposed to be temporary. A fun fling. We’d have a good time, and then we’d move on. But it turned into more. We both know it and I think tonight has made it clear we’ve both accepted it, too. I’m glad for that. I just need you to know what we have between us is beautiful, and it’s more than I’d ever dreamed of having in my life.”
Willow’s eyes move back and forth between mine as she considers what I’ve said. Her lips curve upward, clearly happy with my words. She answers me with a kiss, her hands locking behind my neck to pull me to her.