The knot in my chest loosens a little.They’re strangers, but not strange—just men who belong to the women I spent the morning with.The room doesn’t feel so foreign.
Atlas nods toward the couch.“Come sit.We’re doing sodas only.”
Before I can hesitate, Foster pats the cushion beside him.“C’mon, Maddie.It’s safer than the destruction zone over there.”
I laugh under my breath and sink down, tucking one leg under me.Atlas drops onto the other side, close enough our shoulders brush.
“So,” Penn says, eyes flicking from the TV back to me, “you a big hockey fan?”
The question makes me snort.“Not exactly.Before all this, I couldn’t have told you the difference between a power play and a penalty kill.But I’ve been watching on TV lately, and I like it.More than I thought I would.”
North nods, approving.“Live’s even better.You’ve gotta come to a game.”
I take a sip of soda, nerves skittering as I admit, “Actually, Brienne invited me to the owner’s suite for the next home playoff game.”
“That’s awesome,” Atlas says immediately, his grin big and sure.“You have to go.”
“Definitely,” King adds.“No better way to get hooked.”
Heat creeps up my neck, but it’s the good kind—the kind that feels like belonging.
Grayce squeals, reaching, and Rafferty leans over to scoop her off Kace’s lap.He props her against his chest like it’s the most natural thing in the world.She pats his jaw with her drooly hand, and he grins at her.
I blink, floored.These men are comfortable here, comfortable with her.They came to hang out, to play with blocks on the floor, to make sure Atlas wasn’t alone.
The game whistle blows, pulling everyone’s attention back to the screen.The room leans forward in unison, muttering at the refs, groaning at a missed shot.I don’t know the plays well enough to join in, but it doesn’t matter.The noise wraps around me like a blanket.
Like I did at brunch, I feel like maybe I’ve found another seat I didn’t know was waiting for me.
I glance sideways and catch Atlas watching me instead of the game.Not pressing, not demanding.Just that quiet, anchoring steadiness.
This morning, I chose to show up.Right now, it feels like I’m being shown where I belong.
CHAPTER 17
Atlas
I’m lacing upmy sneakers, mind already halfway to the arena where I’m going to meet the guys for a workout, when Maddie’s voice calls from the living room.
“Atlas—can I ask you something before you go?”
I step through the archway to find her on the rug with Grayce, who’s doing her determined crawl toward her stuffed lion.Maddie looks at me, her blue eyes serious.
“What’s up?”I say, leaning on the doorframe.
She bites her lip, a move that doesn’t make me think about kissing her at all.“I was thinking about moving some things around in the kitchen.The spice rack is a nightmare, and the plates would make more sense in the cabinet by the dishwasher.But—” She hesitates, glancing toward the baby before finishing.“I don’t want to step on your toes.”
“Step on my toes?”I ask, confused.
She glances around.“Yeah.I mean, this is your house.I don’t want to make moves you won’t like.”
My chest tightens as I understand her concern.I fold my arms, steadying myself so I don’t cross the room and shake the doubt right out of her.“Maddie, it’sourhouse.You live here.You raise Grayce here.You don’t have to ask permission to move a damn plate.”
Her brows lift, surprised.
I soften, take a step closer.“Change whatever you want.Paint the cabinets pink if it makes you happy.This place isn’t mine for you to borrow.It’s your home too.”
Her throat works, eyes glassy, and she nods like she’s storing the words away someplace safe.
