Page 109 of Triplet Babies for Pucking Christmas

“Think he’ll be all right?” Jamie asks, pulling a glass from the cupboard and filling it.

“He has to be,” I reply. “But we’ve got to remind him he doesn’t have to handle everything himself.”

Jamie nods, his jaw tight. “And maybe we need to figure out our shit too. All this stuff with the merger…it’s hitting everyone hard.”

“Tell me about it,” I mutter, rubbing the back of my neck. “We’ve got to tell her soon. She deserves to know what’s going on.”

Jamie sets the glass down with a thud. “We will. But let’s deal with tonight first.”

“Let me stock the fire in the meantime,” I tell him, walking to the pile of chopped firewood.

Downstairs, Jamie grabs a sleeping Noah from his crib and cradles him gently. “I think he knows,” he says quietly, looking down at the little guy.

I raise an eyebrow. “Knows what?”

“That something’s up. He’s been extra cuddly with her lately, like he’s trying to protect her.”

I huff out a breath. “Probably because she’s carrying three more children. The kid’s going to be a great big brother.”

Jamie smiles faintly, placing Noah back in the bassinet. “We should talk about it soon, though. All of it.”

“Tomorrow,” I say. “Tonight’s about her—and Jared. Let’s not ruin it.”

We head back upstairs, opening the door quietly. I freeze mid-step.

Savannah’s on top of Jared, her body moving with slow, deliberate grace. Jared’s head is thrown back, his face slack with pleasure, and Savannah—she’s beautiful, radiant even. Her belly is round and full, her skin glowing in the dim light.

Jamie lets out a low whistle, and Jared’s eyes flicker open, meeting ours briefly.

I can’t help but smile. My friend looks more relaxed than he’s been in months, and I know she’s the reason why.

When Jared finally comes, Savannah collapses against his chest, her breaths coming in short gasps. Jamie moves in without hesitation, sliding down her body to kiss his way between her thighs. She moans, arching as his tongue meets her slick heat.

I step closer, brushing her hair back from her face. “You okay, sweetheart?”

Her eyes are heavy-lidded, her lips parted. “More than okay,” she whispers.

When she’s finally sated, we all climb back into bed. Jared looks at me and Jamie, his expression more serious now.

“Think we can talk about the team now?” he asks, his voice low.

Savannah blinks, still catching her breath. “What’s going on?”

Jamie takes a deep breath. “The players…they’ve all agreed that if the team goes through with the merger, we’ll resign. All of us.”

Savannah sits up straighter, her eyes wide. “What about your contracts?”

“We’ve got Jade,” Jared says. “She’ll say we have injuries or something. There’s not much the higher-ups can do if we all refuse to play.”

She stares at us, her face pale. “Shit.”

“Shit is right,” Jamie mutters.

Jared sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve been trying to get us out of this deal, but…it’s looking less likely.”

Savannah bites her lip, her eyes flicking between us. “What does this mean for you guys? For the team?”

“It means we’re staring down the barrel of the end of our careers,” I say quietly.

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