Page 241 of Pucking Around

“Thank you, sir,” Jake says, shaking his hand again.

“Don’t thank me,” Talbot replies. “It was the right thing to do. Now, seeing as my life is no longer in mortal danger, I’m going to sit back down and finish this tartare…and maybe order a steak. I imagine at least three of you have more important places to be right now.”

“Shit, yeah,” Jake says, checking the time on his phone. “We’ve gotta get back to the hotel.” He looks to me and back down to Talbot.

Mr. Talbot just snorts. “All of you go. I didn’t want to share this anyway,” he adds, dragging the plate of tartare in front of him.

“Thank you, sir,” I murmur.

He’s smirking as he looks up at me. “Just see that those three get back to the hotel and loaded on the bus in time.”

I turn, taking Ilmari and Jake’s hands as the five of us weave through the tables of the restaurant and out into the lobby of the hotel. As soon as we’re out the doors, my guys explode into talking all at once, jostling for position as they hug me and kiss me and ask me what happened.

“Umm—hellooo!” Tess waves frantically. “The best friend is standing right here, and I’ve gotten literally nothing. Girl, I flew across the country for this. Put your boy toys down and give me a damn hug.”

I turn in Jake’s arms with a laugh, throwing my arms around Tess instead. “What the hell are you doing here?” I cry.

“Caleb invited me,” she replies.

I glance over my shoulder at him, one brow raised. “Why?”

“If things went bad with Talbot, we didn’t want you to be alone,” he replies with a shrug.

“Yep, just call me Ms. Moral Support,” Tess adds with a laugh. “But now that things are all good, we can go to the game together! You know I’ve been dying to see the Rays in action. Mama loves a powerful man on skates. And Jake said he sent you enough tickets to share.”

“Yeah, I sent over four,” he replies. “But Poppy can get you more,” he adds. “No problem. Just shoot her a text, Seattle.”

I force a smile, feeling suddenly awkward. “I don’t know…it won’t be weird? I’m still technically suspended. I don’t want to overstep or—”

Jake presses in, kissing me senseless. Breaking our kiss, we both suck in air, “You’re coming to the game,” he says. “And Mars and I flipped for it. You’re wearing my jersey tonight. I already gave it to Tess.”

“Yep,” she says, patting the side of her massive purse. “All good to go! Hey, maybe if you wear his jersey, I’ll wear Ilmari’s—”

“No,” all three guys growl at once, turning three dark stares on my best friend.

I fight the urge to laugh as Tess leans away, eyes wide. Her face slowly shifts from shock to mirth. “Jeez. Touchy subject.”

Ilmari’s hands go around my waist as me pulls me in closer. “You wear mine next game,” he murmurs, kissing my cheek. His soft beard tickles my skin.

“Guys, we gotta go,” says Caleb, checking the time on his watch.

“We’ll see you at the game, baby,” Jake says, giving me another quick kiss. “Take care of our girl, Tess!”

“You got it,” she calls with a wave.

“Mä rakastan sua,” Ilmari murmurs, his lips brushing against my temple.

“Niin mäkin sua,” I reply, practicing my new phrase.

He smiles down at me with such joy and my insides light up like a lantern. He kisses my forehead, passing me off to Caleb.

Cay surprises me when he cups my cheek and kisses me too. “See you later, Hurricane.”

With that, my guys troop out the front doors of the hotel, leaving me with Tess.

“Girl, you won the man candy lottery,” she teases. “Triple cherries. Those guys are head over heels in love with you.”

I smile. I can’t help myself. For only like the fourth time today, I’m about to cry. “Yeah,” I say, heart overflowing.

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