Page 143 of Relationship Goals

Gold shoots me a warning look, as if he’s unsure of what I’ll do.

I make myself smile.

Logan takes another step back, belated self-preservation kicking in at the sight.

“Thanks,” I say roughly. “I wish I hadn’t fucked it up between us.”

The entire team starts talking at once, my house suddenly filled with voices I’ve heard every day for the past several years, but never once in my own home.

Voices giving me advice for how to win Abigail back. Offering different ways to apologize.

My teammates are trying to help, and I don’t know what to do with that information.

Gold puts two fingers in his mouth, letting out an earsplitting whistle.

I wince.

“Enough,” he bellows before turning to me. “Wolfe, do you want to get this woman back?”

I pause. I’ve never been public about anything, not like this. I’ve shut everyone out for far too long.

But I think about Abigail, her laugh, her smile. The way she made me feel.

What would Abigail, my Abigail, want me to do?

She made me feel…whole again. I think she’d want me to tell my team exactly what I want, to push out of my own admittedly microscopic comfort zone.

“Yeah,” I rasp, scratching the scruff along my jawline. “I think I do.”

A cheer goes up from all the men around me, and Marino dives toward me, catching me up in a way too enthusiastic hug.

“Get the fuck off me,” I tell him.

“No,” he says, then plops a kiss on my cheek before finally moving away.

“Are you fucking crying?” I ask, incredulous.

“I am just so happy you are finally coming out of your skin.”

Everyone gets quiet.

“What?”

“Shell,” Gold supplies. “Your shell.”

“Shell, skin.” Marino shrugs. “You blossom like a flower, fratello mio.”

“What does that mean?”

Marino grins at me. “It means ‘my brother.’ My bro, but more, ah, meaningful. Bruh.”

I grunt, overcome with emotions I don’t want to put a name to, and the room erupts into easy laughter.

“All right!” Gold yells, his voice nearly deafening me. “Let’s make a fucking plan.”

For once, I’m only too happy to listen to their advice.

And I’m surprised, and grateful, that they even care enough to offer it.

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