I fall asleep in his arms, feeling safer than I have in days.
Chapter Seven
DECLAN
The house is packed by the time Sutton gets home from her shift.
I'm in the kitchen mixing drinks when I see her walk through the front door. She stops, taking in the crowd. I feel a little guilty that she’s being greeted by loud music and chaos.
It wasn’t my idea to host a party, but it’s a free weekend, something we rarely get during the season.
I weave through bodies to get to her.
"Hey." I kiss her cheek. "How was work?"
"Exhausting." She eyes the party warily. "What's all this?"
"Crew decided we needed to blow off steam before the next game. I tried to keep it small." I gesture at the fifty-plus people crammed into our living room. "Obviously failed."
"Is Bree here?"
"No. Absolutely not. Holden made it very clear she's not welcome here anymore." I take her hand. "I promise. Just teammates and friends."
She relaxes slightly. "Okay."
"Come have a drink. Relax. You've been working all week."
I lead her to the kitchen and make her favorite—vodka cranberry with extra lime. She takes it gratefully and leans against the counter.
"How's your day been?" she asks.
"Long. Practice was brutal. Coach is riding us hard before the home game." I move closer, boxing her in against the counter. "But it's better now that you're here."
She smiles. "Smooth."
"I try." I lean down to kiss her.
She tastes like the cherry ChapStick she always wears. I deepen the kiss, one hand sliding to her waist.
"Declan," she murmurs against my mouth. "We're in public."
"So?"
"So, people are watching."
"Let them watch." I kiss down her neck. "I want everyone to know you're mine."
She laughs and pushes at my chest. "You're ridiculous."
"Ridiculously in love with you."
"Oh my god, that was so cheesy."
"But you loved it."
"I did not."
"You're smiling."
