Page 127 of I Could Be Yours

I love Nate. I love his big brain and his thoughtfulness and snuggling with him when he sleeps over. I love the days that start and end with his beautiful face the most. But it has become woefully apparent that my apartment will not be big enough for the two of us long term, even with Nate’s remarkable ability to make space where there is none.

He tugs on the knob, revealing brand-new dividers so every single pair of underpants I own now lives in its own little square of space. “All your everyday bras and underwear are in the top drawer.” He closes it and opens the next one down. “This is where you’ll find your pajamas and sleep sets. I can move these down, if you’d prefer, but they’re more-frequent-use items, so I figured it made the most sense.” He moves on to the next drawer. “All your athletic wear is in here.” He crouches to get to the bottom. “And this is where your special lingerie is.” He pulls out my pale pink lace and satin set. “Is this the one you were looking for?”

“That’s the one.”

He passes me the bra and panties.

I shrug out of my robe. I’m naked underneath.

His nostrils flare. He glances at the clock on the nightstand, then back at me. “Can I make you come before we go?”

Despite the orgasm turning into two and me climbing into his lap to ride his big, beautiful cock, we still manage to make it to the restaurant with two minutes to spare. Double dating with Tristan and Rix is another new favorite thing.

When we arrive, Rix hops up and hugs me, and I squeeze herback. We settle in the seats across from them, and Nate stretches his arm across the back of my chair at the same time Tristan does this with Rix. Like mirrors of each other, Rix and I lean into our men, both smiling and happy to have the connection.

“Not long now before the official start of the season,” I note. “How are you feeling with it being Ryker’s time to step up?”

Roman Forrest-Hammer, formerly Hammerstein, the Terror’s long-time goalie, hung up his skates at the end of last season, and Kellan Ryker, the backup goalie, is stepping into his shoes.

“Good. Ryker is excited to be in net. He has the skill set, and we have a great defensive line,” Tristan replies.

“I’m so glad the Terror picked up Quinn Romero in the trades. It was a good move,” Rix says.

“I agree.” Tristan nods. “I know it’s his first year in the pros, but he’s still a seasoned player, and he’ll be good for the offensive line with Hollis off the ice, too.”

“I love that Roman and Hollis are coaching at the Hockey Academy together.” They’re already proving to be quite the coaching duo for the boys’ team.

“Right? Brody had such a great summer with them.” Tristan smiles. “I have a feeling they’ll be instrumental in feeding the Terror the best up-and-comers in future seasons.”

There’s a collective buzz at the table as all of our phones chime with a new message. And then chime again. And again.

“Maybe Shilpa finally had the baby!” Rix and I rush to dig our phones out of our bags.

I pull up the group chat message. “I still can’t believe this is really happening.”

“Is it about Dred and Connor?” Nate asks.

Rix and I both hold our phones up so the boys can see the engagement party invitation. Last week Dred and Connor announced their engagement. It came out of left field, and there are obviously things none of us know, but Dred has asked us to support her, so that’s what we’re doing. Or at least trying.

“I still don’t understand what’s going on there,” Tristan mutters.

“I don’t think any of us do,” I reply. “Maybe they hooked up at your wedding in secret and that got the ball rolling?” We were all exceptionally preoccupied with other things.

“I mean…I guess it’s possible,” Rix muses.

We’ve had countless hypothetical conversations about this. None of them quite seem plausible. “How’s Flip handling this?”

Nate fingers an errant pink curl. “I mean, obviously he’s not the happiest about it—especially since Dred won’t tell him why she’s doing this—but he’s trying to be a good friend.”

“Do you think it would help if Flip knew all the things Connor did behind the scenes at your wedding?” I ask softly.

“Connor made it clear he didn’t want anyone to know he was directly involved,” Tristan replies. “And I want to honor that, because he saved us more than once.”

We leave the Dred and Connor situation alone and Tristan talks about how excited he is to test out Nate’s most recent prototype. Nate thinks this could be the one. It feels amazing to be able to spend time with my best friend and my boyfriend.

Rix and Tristan go over to see Flip after dinner, and Nate and I head back to my place.

“This season might be a tough one,” Nate says as we enter the apartment, toeing off our shoes at the door.

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