Page 156 of The Stud

“Understood.”

Both nod their heads in appreciation convincing me to finally let my shoulders sag in relief.

Alright.

I’m not cut.

Or traded.

Or really in that much trouble.

Which is amazing.

And very unexpected.

However…what does that mean for Arden?

Where does that leave her?

“How about Hoss?” creeps out in a mousy tone. “Do you…still…need…her?”

“Fuck yeah,” grunts the owner without reluctance. “You boys aren’t theonlyreason our viewership steadily increases.Plus,we’re launching our streaming network to guarantee all ofour games are accessible to fans and I need someone to run that division of the organization.”

“Meaning she’ll be in corporate?”

“Which is why I need youbothto sign the liability paperwork that all couples – especially newly engaged ones, which I get the feeling you will be – must sign together inlegal’s officewhen she returns from medical leave.”

It’s impossible not to excitedly grin over more than one notion. “Medical leave?”

“Her ear surgery.” An unexpected, sweet smile slides onto her face. “I assume that’s whyyouwere scratched for the next two games and excused from pracky?”

Meeting Blanc’s gaze allows him to present me with a wink.

“Tell Hoss, to rest up,” Hennington warmly commands. “The boys need you both now more than ever.”

Chapter 28

Arden

“I’m not scared.”

Bear loudly barks in rebuttal, needlessly adding to my dizzy spell.

“Why would I be scared?”

Another woof.

“I can do this.”

Two more.

“I cantotallyfucking do this!”

Bear repeats the sound as if stringing an entire sentence together prompting an unpredicted voice to state, “I agree, Bear. Shecando this.” Tanner casually appears in the doorway to my bathroom. “However, I too do not believe she should do it alone.”

The huff that escapes indicates that’s exactly what he was trying to communicate.

“Which is why I’m here.” He suddenly reveals a giant yellow stuffed duck. “With reinforcements.” Excitement instantly rips through my dog’s gaze pushing my notnotboyfriend to frantically shake his head. “Ah. Ah.” A motion with his fingers is made demonstrating he still remembers some of our signing lessons. “No.” Moving the object further away only seems to intrigue him more. “Thisducky isforDucky to take into the back with her. He is to be her literalwingman.”

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