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“We’re going out,” Grace declares. “I don’t care if you all have practice tomorrow. This is a big deal.”

Carson lets out a low, weary groan. “It’s always a big deal with you guys.”

“And yet you always show up,” Grace shoots back.

“Because if we don't, there's a group chat trial,” Carson mutters, looking toward Jensen and Owen for backup.

“There has not been a trial,” Grace insists, her voice sweet and dangerous.

“There is absolutely a trial,” Jensen chimes in, pointing a gloved finger at his wife. “Last month, you literally presented evidence, Grace. I saw the PowerPoint.”

“You were late,” she shrugs, as if that explained the need for visual aids.

“You had screenshots!” Owen adds, his voice rising an octave. “With timestamps! I felt like I was being interrogated.”

“It was a formal inquiry into the lack of punctuality in this group,” Grace nods, looking satisfied with herself. She turns back to Hadley. “So, back to tonight. We’re celebrating. I’ll send out the invite, and if anyone is even a minute late, I still have the slides from last month.”

Hadley just laughs again, shaking her head. I hang back and watch the exchange with a tight feeling in my chest. She’s going along with this so easily. Fitting into the group like she’s always been part of it.

I’m hyper aware of every little thing about her.

It’s not intentional. I’m not trying to track her like this, but my attention keeps circling back anyway, like it’s got a mind of its own.

The way she tucks a piece of that wavy brown hair behind her ear when it falls forward, fingers lingering for just a second like she doesn’t even realize she’s doing it. The way her brown eyes move when someone’s talking to her. The way she leans in when she laughs.

Owen says something I don’t catch, something that makes her laugh again, and he bumps his shoulder into hers like it’s nothing.

My jaw tightens before I can stop it.

Jensen steps in next, saying something under his breath that makes her roll her eyes, and then he throws an arm around her shoulders in a quick side hug, squeezing once before letting go.

My hands curl into fists at my sides, the motion automatic, my fingers digging into my palms before I even realize what I’m doing.

The fuck? What is wrong with me? Jensen is a happily married man. He’d never go after Hadley. None of these guys would. Why the hell am I getting so defensive of her?

I flex my hands open again, dragging in a slow breath through my nose, forcing the tension out of my shoulders.

Fuck, I need to get a hold of myself.

I exhale slowly, dragging a hand over the back of my neck, the heat there doing nothing to cool the irritation building under my skin.

Get a fucking grip. She’s just a friend. Off-limits.

Not for me. She’s too good for me…not that she’d ever really be interested in a broken piece of shit like me anyway.

I repeat those words like a mantra that’s going to make my nerves settle, but it doesn’t stick. The feelings of possessiveness and protectiveness are still there, and that’s the real problem.

Hadley half a world away was a threat enough to my sanity, but I could at least convince myself there’s nothing more. My feelings toward her were nothing to worry about.

It’s going to be a lot harder to convince myself of that now that she’s within reach.

CHAPTER NINE: LIGHTWEIGHT

JULIAN

The Night Hawk bar, the team’s go-to haunt, is already loud by the time I get there, full of patrons and fans, as well as a seemingly endless rotation of puck bunnies. Neon signs cast a low, amber glow over the packed floor, reflecting off the jersey-framed walls. A few third-line guys and some younger rookies are already crowded around a high-top near the jukebox, tossing back wings and loud-talking over the music. I spot Jensen and Grace already at the bar. Carson filters in just ahead of me, completely relaxed in a dark hoodie, laughing at something Skyler says as she leans into his side, her glasses sliding down her nose. Further back, Zander, Jayce, and Owen are at our usual oversized booth in the corner, dragging chairs over to accommodate Rylee, Sutton, and Stacey, who are ordering a round of apps.

I hang back by the door for half a second, adjusting the collar of my jacket. My eyes aren't on the team. I’m waiting for Hadley to arrive. I don’t want her to get here and feel overwhelmed.