Page 11 of Breakaway

Fletcher licked up my throat, nipping my ear before he pulled back and grabbed my hand, dragging my stupefied body with him.

What the hell had I just set in motion?

We’d made it outside before my brain returned online. Fletcher directed me to his Jeep, opened the door, and buckled me in, chuckling at me the whole while. He climbed in and turned on the car, smiling at me as he headed to our destination.

“Um, so where are we going?” I asked after clearing my throat.

“Remember how I told Keaton I would make it up to him?” he asked, flicking on his turn signal. I nodded, trying to put the pieces together. “We met for breakfast this morning and discussed some things—CEO to CEO.”

“And how did that go?” I turned my body so I could take in his full profile.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” he teased.

“Ugh. You’re annoying when you’re smug.” Pouting, I turned back toward my window and crossed my arms.

“And you’re cute when you pout.”

Sticking my tongue out at the window, I kept up the act and smiled, already feeling more awake than I’d been for the three hours watching kids’ skate drills.

Fletcher pulled up to the pizza place we’d visited on our first date. I smiled at him, remembering how fun that had been. He’d swooped back into my life, scooping me up into his arms, and hadn’t let go.

Fletcher Cromwell was the real deal. A complete package.

Due to my daydream, I hadn’t noticed he’d gotten out of the Jeep, so I jumped when my door opened, and Fletcher’s hands landed on my thighs.

“I promise it’s a good thing, Hen,” he said, worry creasing his forehead.

“I was just remembering our date, Fletch, and how happy I am to have stumbled back into your life. No worries here.”

He brightened, his beard moving with the motion as his whole face shifted. My seatbelt disappeared, and he lifted me from the Jeep, spinning me until my feet touched the ground. Fletcher bent down and captured my lips in his, nipping my bottom lip before he stepped back and pulled me along.

“Stupid sexy beard,” I muttered, making Fletcher chuckle in front of me.

The waitress sat us at a booth and took our drink orders within seconds. She congratulated me on winning the past two games, proving once again the town supported me and shocking me at the same time.

“There’s Keaton,” Fletcher said, motioning to the man where we were. Keaton smiled and walked over, hugging me before he sat.

“Hey, Henley. It’s good to see you again.”

“Same. Especially when I’m not freaking out on you.” I grimaced as the memory of how I reacted at the photoshoot surfaced.

“That wasn’t your fault. You were concerned about the people you love. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

I opened my mouth to argue when Fletcher placed his hand over mine and squeezed.

“That’s water under the bridge, now. Keaton and I met this morning to talk about the campaign and the future of our companies,” Fletcher filled in.

The waitress interrupted to take Keaton’s drink and food order. We ended up with four pizzas, figuring we could take the rest home to the guys. Once that was resolved, I turned to both men, lifting my eyebrows as I waited them out. Keaton chuckled as Fletcher pretended to ignore me.

“You’re going to make me ask, aren’t you?” I glowered, poking Fletcher in the side. He jumped in the air, a high-pitched squeak leaving him. His eyes narrowed as he grabbed my finger, promising death if I did it again. I matched his look, our heads practically touching.

“Tell me, or I poke you again,” I warned. Fletcher sighed dramatically but dropped my finger.

“Now that the grief has passed, I want to continue working on Emila’s vision for HTC. I don’t know if I’ll be involved long-term, but I wanted to set it on the right course before I stepped away. Keaton’s campaign is exactly what Emila had hoped the hockey world would become. She wanted to advocate for more equality and diversity in hockey and inspire the next generation to change the narrative. To be ‘the next’ great player, coach, or whatever someone wanted to be regardless of their race or gender.”

“Which I love. Then Fletcher had the idea of expanding the campaign beyond advertising and marketing by starting a movement,” Keaton added, his excitement growing as he bounced in his seat.

“How so?” I asked, intrigued by their idea.

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