“Pink, baby, please,” I murmured. “I’m so, so, sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I thought of you every single day we were apart. I stared at your picture and thought about your sweet face. The sheets smelled like you. I didn’t want to wash them because that would mean you were really gone. I don’t deserve another chance with you, but if you give me one, I promise that I will never hurt you again. I want to see where this is going with us. I want us to be a couple. I want you by my side. I want you to live with Cole and me. Please, Pink, I’m so fucking sorry.”
“Did you wash your sheets?” Dean asked.
I nodded. “Once your smell was gone.”
“I could come back and make them smell like me again.” His voice cracked, and I saw fresh tears swimming in his green orbs. “I just... I can’t go through that again.”
I reached for him again, and this time, he didn’t push away. I dragged my thumb over his pulse and felt his body shiver. “You won’t.”
“Do you promise?” Dean stared at me. “Because I can see what our life would be like. In Boston. I like it there. I miss you, and I miss Cole, and I would be closer to Maverick, too.”
I laced our fingers together and tugged on his hand until he moved closer. Then I dropped his hand, cupped Dean’s face with my hands, and slid my lips over his. “I promise that I will spend the rest of my life making you happy, Dean Frost. And that I will never hurt you again.”
Chapter Forty-Three
Beau
Dean squeezed my hand as we stood on the front porch of his ex-girlfriend’s house. I wasn’t convinced this was a great idea, but he hadn’t stopped smiling since I promised I would never hurt him again. I meant that. I wanted to see that smile he was wearing right now. The one that lit up his entire face, that caused crinkles to appear around his eyes and his entire body to glow with happiness. If I wasn’t scared that my knees would give out, I would get down and beg him for my forgiveness.
“You ready for this?” Dean looked up at me. “Killian’s not going to be nice.”
He had warned me about his best friend. And I was determined to win the singer over. No matter how hard it was or how long it took. I was a likeable guy. I could get Killian Hampton to like me.
“Yeah, baby, I am,” I assured him.
The entire band was sitting around the living room when we walked inside, and the distinct growl I heard had to be coming from Killian. When I locked eyes with him, he bared his teeth at me until his fiancé slapped playfully at his chest. Killian pouted as Jackson climbed to his feet, but not faster than the only woman in the room. That had to be Helena. She was beautiful, with chestnut brown hair pulled back in a high ponytail and big blue eyes. She would have been his perfect companion if Dean didn’t belong to me.
“You must be Beau.” She flipped her ponytail behind her shoulder. “I’m so excited to finally meet you.” The warning in her voice was more than obvious. She obviously took after her big brother. And I could respect that.
I let go of Dean, so I grasp both of her hands. “I finally get to meet the Helena. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“I’ve heard so much about you,” Killian mimicked under his breath. “I already hate him.”
He was going to be a tougher nut to crack than I thought. But I could handle him. I’d dealt with worse on the ice.
My gaze moved over to where Killian sat. “I can see winning you over is going to be a challenge.”
“Whatever gave you that idea. You broke my best friend’s heart,” Killian snapped.
Jackson clapped Beau on the back. “It’s good to see you. Ignore Killian. He can be a handful. I think Matty can keep him in line thought, right?”
“Yes.” Matthias held up a hand.
Maverick pulled his lip between his teeth as he went to his fiancé. “It’s good to see you again.” He greeted me, but I saw that look. The one that told me I was on his shit list, too. The one that saidI trusted you to not hurt my brother. I warned you what would happen.
“I’m so happy for you and Jackson. You two truly deserve the best.” I leaned down to give him a quick hug.
“I’m watching you, Whitlock,” Maverick warned in a soft whisper, so that only I could hear. When we pulled apart, that shy smile was on his face again, his eyes wide and innocent.
Maybe this would be harder than I expected. “Introduce me to the rest of your friends, Pink. I’m excited to get to know Helena. I briefly met the broody one on the couch before, Killian.”
Killian rolled his eyes. “Please.”
“Killian, stop it. You’re being a dick. Are you jealous or something?” Dean begged.
“Dick is my middle name, and Matthias is the only one for me.” Killian folded his arms over his chest. “Babe, don’t look at me like that.”
Matthias narrowed his eyes. “You weren’t always good to me either, Killian, so stop being an asshole. Give Beau a chance.” He quickly got to his feet. “I’m Matthias. The dick’s fiancé. We met before, but I wasn’t sure if you remembered.”
