Page 126 of Mr. Charming

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.

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