Page 18 of Shot to the Hart

“So, I know the NDA prevents you from letting people know where you are with Bella or bringing her around people. My dad is here and will want to see her sometimes, so I don’t mind you bringing her around him. I also assume you have family and friends that you will want to spend time with, but if I’m on the road I don’t want to prevent you from seeing them, so I just ask for that communication. The only thing that I ask you to do is not post her on your social media. I barely post about her myself and my page is very private.”

“Absolutely. I appreciate you letting me bring her around my friends and Mom so that I can still see them. As far as social media, that will never be an issue.” I smile at him before taking another swig of my coffee.

“Okay, perfect, we better get going,” he says as he stands, gesturing to the right of the building,

“Well, I’m this way, got to get home to my lil’ lady. I will see you in two weeks, text if anything comes up.”

“And I’m that way. Thanks for the coffee and have a good afternoon.” I smile at him before turning and heading to my car.

11

KODI

DINOSAURS

Two weeks later, I’m typing in a gate code before pulling into Maverick’s neighborhood with my car full of my belongings. I find myself thinking that this is not the home I expected a man of his caliber to own, but I also have come to realize that he is much more down-to-earth than I expected. While the house is large, it’s not big and luxurious or on the Bay like you’d expect. It’s got character, made of brick, with a wrap around porch and fenced-in backyard. There’s what looks like a two-car garage and three sports cars, plus a motorcycle, parked on the road out front. Maverick didn’t tell me to expect anyone to be here, but it’s possible he had family come in at the last minute, or maybe something came up with the team.

I pull into the driveway, grab my purse and a box, and head to the front door. It swings open and Maverick comes out greeting me with a smile and takes the box out of my hand. I turn around to grab a few more, but from behind me hear, “Don’t worry about those boxes, a couple of my teammates are here. Itotally blanked that Bella and I were hosting family dinner this month.”

Oh great, I’m wearing leggings and an oversized shirt,and my hair is pulled into a messy bun. I probably look like I just rolled out of bed, and I’m about to meet who knows how many of his teammates. “So we can grab them and take them to your room.”

With a shrug and a, “thank you”, I head inside with just my purse and emotional-support water bottle. I almost get bowled over by a brick of a man covered in tattoos and a thick black bun sitting on top of his head, walking backwards towards the front door. At the last minute, he turns around and stops before he can knock me over. An appreciative look passes over my body as he eyes me, pastes on a shit eating grin, sticks a hand out, and says in a thick Russian accent, ”Well aren’t you a pretty thing? I’m Niklaus, and it is fully my pleasure to meet you.”

I feel my cheeks heat and hear Maverick behind me, “Nik stop flirting with my child’s caretaker and get your ass out here to help me unload these boxes.”

I shake his hand quickly, ignoring how much I liked the assertiveness in Mavericks tone, mumble ”Kodi”, and rush inside.

I slowly make my way down the hallway covered in photos of Bella, the team, and a man and woman who I assume are Maverick’s parents. Fidgeting with the hair tie that lives on my wrist, I continue into the living room where I’m greeted by Arabella surrounded by three other men, who I assume are also Mavericks teammates making dinosaur noises and chasing her around the room. This makes me laugh loud enough that all eyes turn to me. I awkwardly wave as Maverick sidles up next to me.

“This is Kodi. She’ll be staying here and helping me with Arabella. You cavemen are to stay away from her.”

I giggle, and while I shouldn’t like that he has made the decision for me on whether his teammates are an option or not,it makes me feel like he wants me here and to be comfortable in his home.

A few groans erupt throughout the room, and the man acting like what I can only imagine is a T-rex mumbles, “Way to ruin the fun.” Maverick shoots daggers his way and the man replies, “Sorry. . .I’m Dom. It’s nice to meet you.”

Dom is smaller in stature compared to the other guys, seems younger and more muscular, with a full head of curls and deep tan skin. Pterodactyl stands up and introduces himself as Maverick’s personal assistant, Tatum. Dirty-blonde hair perfectly swept to the side, hazel green eyes that I just know Darcy would be entranced by, definitely works out, but it isn’t super pronounced. I make a mental note to keep those two away from each other.

The last man peeks up from behind a pair of glasses, gives me a shy smile and says, “What's up? I’m Collins.” He is definitely more reserved than the others, has dark red hair, is covered in freckles and is absolutely adorable. Being less burly than the other men in the room, Collins doesn’t look like he would play hockey.

Dom pipes up with, “Don’t let Collins fool you, he isn’t as shy as he’s acting. I think it's just cause you’re like really pretty.” He’s raising his eyebrows at me, causing me to roll my eyes and stifle a laugh.

“Well, on that note, I think we should eat before dinner gets cold.” Nik comes out of the adjoining kitchen, clearly having dropped my boxes somewhere, presumably my room. We all make our way into the dining room.

I end up sandwiched between Arabella and Dom who chats my ear off, asking rapid-fire questions like, “Favorite color?”

“Purple.”

“Favorite ice cream flavor?”

“Chocolate chip cookie dough.”

“Dude, this isn’t twenty questions,” Tatum cuts in.

“I’m just trying to get to know her. Favorite music genre?” Dom glares at Tatum across the table.

“Ummm, probably pop punk.”

“Favorite flower?”

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