“Ow.” I laugh. “It was one time. Freshman year of college.”
“Freshman year?” Her eyes widen.
“Yeah. But I was really drunk. And I’m not sure it even counts. I didn’t actually have sex with both of them.”
“Oh, well then, sure, that makes it totally fine.” Sarcasm drips as she shakes her head in disbelief.
She’s smiling though, so I know it’s all good.
“And Megan?” Alley whirls to her. “I need stories.Now.” Then she swivels back to me. “Andyou’regoing into full detail on yours later.”
Matt frowns, pointing at himself. “Wait—no one’s surprisedI’vehad a threesome? No one wants to hearmystories?”
Everyone snickers.
“You’re cute, Matt,” Amber says. “We’ve heard your threesome stories. They’re your go-to when you’re drunk.”
He shrugs. “Well, I’ve got a new one. But I’m saving it for later, when I’m drunk.”
Laughter booms around the table, and warmth spreads through my chest. I glance around and—damn, this is good. All my favorite people, in my favorite place. Laughing. Joking. Having a great time. Just… happy.
A quiet sense of pride settles in.
I did it.
I went to rehab. I did the hard shit. Got clean. Fought like hell for my sobriety and my wife. And here she is, by my side. Relaxed. Smiling. It almost chokes me up. I haven’t felt this complete in so long, I hardly know what to do with it. I want to freeze this moment and burn it into my memory.
God, it feels good knowing life doesn’t have to stay in the gutter when it’s shit. It can always get better.Wecan get better. Do better. I don’t know if it’s egotistical to admit, but I’m proud. Proud of Alley for giving me another chance. Proud of my family. Proud of myself.
My hand falls to Alley’s lap, giving her knee a squeeze. Her eyes meet mine, sparkling with pure joy as she threads our fingers together.
One thing I didn’t fully grasp until rehab ended was how much being an addict fucks up everyone else’s life, too. They stood by me. They loved me anyway. And right now, I feel like the luckiest bastard alive to be sitting here.
Alleyand I lean back as the ski lift scoops us up.
She laughs when I pull the lap bar down. “Why do I still get nervous I’m gonna fall on my ass every time?”
I glance at her. Her gaze is forward, smile wide, nose red from the cold. Her goggles hang loose around her neck. I slipan arm over her shoulder and pull her in, kissing the top of her head.
“You haven’t done this in a long time. You’re doing great. Better than ever.”
She shoots me a teasing grin. “You have to say that because you love me.”
I bark out a laugh. “No. I tell you how shitty you are because I love you. I say you’re doing great because you actually are.”
“Compared to how shitty I normally am?”
“The why doesn’t matter, babe.” My arm drops to her knee. “Point is, you’ve never done a blue run until today. You’re getting better.”
“Doesn’t mean I have to like it. I’m only here for you,” she teases.
“Oh, come on. You can’t tell me you haven’t had fun. You’ve been laughing all day.”
“Yeah, but only because you’ve been making me laugh. I’d rather be inside by the fire, warm and comfortable, and blowing my nose without having to peel these stupid gloves off.” Her grin widens. “Wouldn’t you rather be back at the cabin? Maybe a little naked under a blanket together?” Her brows lift, her bottom lip catching between her teeth as her hand slides over my cock. She fumbles against the padding of my snow pants and her gloves. “God, where is that thing?”
A low chuckle rumbles in my chest. “You trying to get me hard on the ski lift? That’s a new kind of torture. I can’t even adjust myself right now.”
“Turning you on is way more fun than skiing.”
