The End!!!
Epilogue
Four Months Later
When Cruz and I got back from St. Louis, the team rallied around us. Everyone insisted we postpone the trip to St. John until after the All-Star Break. There were several weeks where Cruz and I couldn’t go anywhere without reporters hounding him for a statement.
As much as getting away would have been welcomed, he needed that time to work through his emotions. On top of that, there was no way he would have been able to enjoy himself while there was still so much happening with Jarrett’s case.
Eventually, Miller was extradited to Miami and ended up pleading guilty and his lawyer convinced him that remorse might help him get a reduced sentence. With that behind us, we decided a postseason vacation was the perfect way for the guys to recover after being knocked out of the playoffs in the wild card round.
So here we are, over the Caribbean, on our way to a gorgeous villa— we even talked Xavier into coming along.
“I can’t believe you changed into your bikini on the plane.” I try to keep my smirk from turning into a full-blown chuckle as I survey Mia, whose swimsuit straps are peaking out from under her sundress. “Don’t get me wrong, I fully support it, but I’ve never seen someone quite so eager to get to the beach that they change in an airplane bathroom.”
“I need a drink in my hand, to read a book that’s not my own, and sand between my toes. Besides, it’s not like it’s a commercial flight,” she says, nodding to the bathroom on the private plane Dean secured.
“Hen, be a good brother and drop my luggage off at my room. Please,” Mia begs with her hands clasped in front of her.
“Sure, right after I haul my girl off to our room I’ll come back for your luggage,” Hendrix says, giving Poppy a look that makes her blush.
“Nope. Not listening.” Mia reaches into a bag and pulls out her Airpods, slipping them into her ears as she mumbles, “I think these are going to be my new best friend. What was I thinking, coming on vacation with two new couples? I need a break from romance, not to be immersed in honeymoon phase love.”
“You’ve got us Mia,” Dom says, waving a hand between himself, Xavier, and Dean.
A laugh sounds out from next to Mia. “Like she wants to spend her vacation putting up with your nonsense all week,” Indie says, looking only at Dom. “No offense. You two are just guilty by association when your friend’s the biggest man child on the team.”
The corner of Dean’s lip twitches up, but he doesn’t jump to his friend’s defense.
“Besides, Mia and I have lots of plans.” Indie nudges Mia’s elbow on the armrest. “Don’t we Mia.”
“Sure, if by plans you mean be a beach potato and see if I can grow roots. Then yes, we have plans.”
“Exactly. The couples can do their coupley things, and you three can do whatever it is that you do.” She waves her hand at the three guys. “Meanwhile, we will be perfecting the art of relaxing.” A saccharine smile paints Indie’s lips as she raises an eyebrow at Dom.
“Let me know if you need any help with that. I have a few ideas to help relax—”
“Dom!” Hendrix barks at him, leaning forward in his seat. “That better not be directed at my sister.”
But it’s not Dom who’s looking at Mia. Dean quickly looks away, picking at an imaginary piece of lint on his shorts. Hendrix may not have noticed but his eyes were glued to where the strap of Mia’s dress was sliding off her shoulder.
For the first time, Dom fumbles with his words. Not sure how to respond to that without getting into more trouble. And I’m not sure who he’s more afraid of right now because both Indie and Hendrix are glaring at him with barely contained rage.
Mia jumps in, saving him from certain death. “Hen, knock it off. First, I’m capable of making my own decisions about who I spend time with and in what capacity. Second, while I’m sure you’re a lovely companion, we are so far from compatible that you and I together is laughable.”
“I’m a lovely companion. Thanks for noticing.” Everyone turns to look at Dom, but he’s oblivious, puffing his chest out with pride. It’s Indie who speaks up, bursting his bubble.
“That’s what you got out of that.” Her head tilts back against the seat as she laughs, making Dom’s lips pull down in a frown.
When the plane lands a short time later, we file into rental cars and head up the winding roads to the villa we will call home for the next week.
Arms wrap around me from behind as I stand on the back patio where there’s a pool and stairs leading down towards the pristine beach. Mia and Indie dropped everything in the entryway and headed straight down there. Dom, Dean, and Xavier followed shortly after with a football and cooler in hand.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” My hands cover Cruz’s taking in the turquoise ocean and white, sandy beach.
“I’ve never seen anything more stunning.” His lips hover over the shell of my ear, his voice is rough and husky.
“Are you trying to sweet talk me? You know it’s completely unnecessary. I’m one hundred percent yours and head over heels in love with you already.”
