“You’re so sweet. Thank you for including me.” I can’t help but look around the kitchen and living room, taking in all of our friends—and Enzo Calvetti—together under our roof.
The doorbell rings again, and Gunner shouts, “Can I get it, Cap?”
“Sure, Champ,” Bennett replies, shifting to see who’s at the door.
In walks Alexa with two huge men I’m not sure I’ve met yet.
Jax guides me toward them and introduces us. “Hey guys. I’m pretty sure she needs no introduction, but this is my wife, Taevin Gray. Taevin, this is Nathan Connelly, he’s the major pain in my ass I’ve told you about,” Jax says, gesturing to the younger one, who mouthsfuck youto him before holding his hand out for me to shake.
I do, and Nathan says, “Pleasure to meet you. I’m, unfortunately, one of your husband’s teammates. And, let’s be honest, if anyone’s a pain in the other’s ass, it’s definitely you.”
“Aw, thanks for talking me up in front of my girl, Nathaniel.” Jax flutters his eyelashes like he’s flattered before a mask of indifference takes over. “Now take it back or you’re on dish duty.”
Connelly shakes his head. “Sorry, Jaxy.”
The two do some weird bro-slap-hug thing before Nathan saunters off to stand beside Gemma at the fireplace. Even from here I can see her cheeks heat the moment she sees him.
Interesting.
Turning my attention back to the entryway, I watch as Jax gives Alexa a hug before he slaps the other guy on the shoulder and then, wearing one of the biggest smiles I think I’ve ever seen on him, he introduces us. “Tae,thisis Brody Meyer. He’s the—”
He’s cut off when Alexa chides in a mocking tone, “The quarterback of the Voyagers, one of the greatest of all time. Yeah, yeah, we all know.” She rolls her eyes before a salacious smile slowly spreads across her face. “I’m pretty sure you’ve seen him referenced as Dakota’s douche canoe big brother in our group chat.”
I snap my fingers together, playing along. “Ah, that’s where I know him from. He’s Mr. Too Cool for Interviews, right?”
Brody barks out a husky chuckle, causing the smile lines around his mouth and eyes to wrinkle in a way I’m not sure has ever been so wildly attractive. He looks like Scott Eastwood, ruggedly handsome and a little dangerous. All of that paired with his six-and-a-half-feet frame is definitely the reason why Alexa is doing a horrible job of hiding the eye-fucking she’s giving him right now.
When he meets her eyes, her ogling quickly turns into a scowl.
Oh, the tension! I’m sensing an enemies-to-lovers plot, and I’m here for it.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Gray. Or should I say Mrs. Wilson?” Brody asks.
The question causes me to laugh because up until now, even all those years ago when we were first married, we never discussed whether or not I’d change my last name.
And while I’ve built my career being Taevin Gray, I can’t imagine starting a family with Jackson and not sharing a last name.
Jax cuts in, moving to wrap me in his arms once more. “We’ll have to wait and see.”
A snort comes from the front door, followed by a voice I know all too well. “Jackson Gray. That’d be a great stripper name.”
My heart nearly explodes out of my chest when I catch a glimpse of Ryan’s pink hair as she walks through the front door and shuts it behind her.
I fly out of Jax’s arms and into hers. “What are you doing here?” I ask, unable to believe she’s really here.
“Heard there was going to be a house full of hot athletes,” Ryan says as if her reasoning weren’t obvious.
“Mostly married,” Jax admonishes.
“I’m kidding, hockey boy. I’m actually here because your monthly bag of dicks should be arriving today, according to my confirmation email.”
“Oh my god, hiswhat? Please don’t tell me I heard you wrong,” Alexa squeals, overjoyed by this new development.
“You heard me right,” Ryan assures, winking at Alexa once I’ve stepped out of her arms.
Keeping a hold on my shoulders, Ryan openly looks me over, detailing all of the ways I’ve changed since she last saw me. I can’t imagine what she must be thinking. “In all seriousness,your hubby flew me out here so I could go to your next chemo session with you since he’ll be on the road.”
My eyes water from his thoughtful gesture, and without my permission those pesky songbirds take flight once again. Before I even realize what I’m doing, I’m moving back across the entryway into his arms. Right where I belong.
