“Our kids?” I scoffed even as a warm feeling rushed through me. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We just started dating.”
Rachel just grinned.
Honestly, I hoped it went from her lips to God’s ears. I didn’t know what kind of future lay ahead of Avery and me, and we were still in that shiny honeymoon phase, but I hoped—really, really hoped—that this was only the beginning.
A future? Kids? Forever?
Why the hell not?
After a moment, Rachel broke the silence. “By the way, I think you and Leif would’ve gotten along.” She laughed softly. “Between the two of you, you’d have kept Avery in line.”
“Hey!” Avery appeared beside her. “Peyton would’ve been trouble, too.”
“Nobodyis as much trouble as you and Leif were.” She glanced at me, an eyebrow arched. “Though, I don’t know. Maybe you could give them a run for their money.”
I flashed them both a grin. “I could sure try.”
“Oh my God.” She rolled her eyes. “Two peas in a pod, right here.”
“You have no idea,” I said.
“I think I can guess.” She glanced down and bounced her baby just a little. “I should get out of here.” She looked at us with an apologetic expression. “It’s late, and I need to find my other three.”
“Locker room.” Avery nodded in that direction. “They were playing with Eminem’s kids.”
“I figured. Well, they need to get to bed, and quite frankly, so do I.” She smiled at him. “It was great to see you out there again tonight.”
He returned the smile. “It was great to be there. And I’m glad you and the kids came, too.”
They shared a quick, careful hug over the baby, and then she hugged me again too before heading into the locker room.
Avery watched her go, a sweet, serene expression on his face. It was almost impossible to imagine what a wreck he’d been not very long ago. At the same time, it wasn’t—a man with a heart as big as Avery’s was bound to be hit hard when he lost someone, and when someone dear to him had lost her husband.
After Rachel had disappeared through the door, he turned to me. “Ready to go?”
I made anafter yougesture and we walked down the hall toward the player parking garage. In the car, I started the engine but didn’t put it in gear. Instead, I rested a hand on his leg. “Do you want to go out with the guys? Or head home?”
He quirked his lips. “What do you think?”
“It’s up to you.” I drew him in a little and pressed a kiss to his temple. “Tonight’s your night.”
He held my gaze. Then he smiled and lifted his chin for a kiss. “Well, if it’s my night, I think I’d rather spend it with you.”
I grinned. “Yeah?”
“Mmhmm.” He curved his hand behind my neck and claimed that kiss, and I let it linger for a moment, reveling in this gentle touch and this closeness. Touching his forehead to mine, he whispered, “It’s so good to be back with the team. And with you.”
“It’s good to have you back. That conditioning loan felt like forever.”
“Seriously” He drew back a little and met my gaze. “You know, Rachel was right.”
I blinked. “What about? That Leif and I would’ve gotten along?”
“Well, that, yes. But also, I heard what she said outside the locker room.”
“Oh. You did?”
“Yeah.” He studied me over the console, the streetlights casting harsh shadows over his beautiful face. “She’s right, you know. I don’t know how bad things would’ve been without you.” He took my hand and squeezed it gently. “I’m just really grateful I didn’t have to find out.”
