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After winning the Super Bowl last season, we failed to back up our success, and it wasn’t the high I was hoping to end my career on. But I’m walking away with a Super Bowl win, so I can’t complain.

And while the old Beckett would be moody as fuck, all it took was one thought of Lily and Ava to make all the negativity instantly drift away.

“That doesn’t answer my question, Lil,” Atlas continues joking, and I push open the door.

“It was a one until I heard you talking about me behind my back. Now I’m p.i.s.s.e.d.” I spell the word pissed for Ava’s sake, and Lily smiles as our eyes meet.

“Beckett’s joined the party!” Atlas’s teammate Crew calls out from the snack table as I take in the room, finding more heart vomit on the inside.

“Beckett!” Ava draws my attention as she leaps off her seat next to Henley and runs toward me, throwing herself into my arms. “You’re late.” She pretends to be grumpy, but can’t hold back the smile begging to come through.

“I’m sorry, Miss Ava. But this time, I can stay longer than I usually do.”

“You can?” Her eyes widen with a shimmer of wonder.

“I can. But shhh. Don’t tell your mom. It’s a surprise.”

“I won’t.” She zips up her lips and leans in conspiratorially. “You better tell her soon because Mom is good at finding out secrets. She knows everything.”

A chuckle escapes me as my eyes flash to Lily’s again. She tilts her head, curiosity in her gaze. “You’re usually right, but in this case, I think I’ve hidden it well.”

Ava beams up at me, and my heart grows even more than I thought possible.

I never imagined a time when I’d love one person and now I love two.

Lily and Ava are my life, and we’re finally about to start living it together.

After Ava runs away again, Lily drifts over to greet me, and we both ignore the wolf whistles as we kiss hello.

“How was your flight?” she asks, always quick to check how I am.

“It was long but I kept busy.”

“Oh, yeah? What were you up to?”

“You’ll have to wait and see.” I bop her on the nose as Henley joins us, elbowing me in the rib cage.

“You’re late, big bro.”

“I know. It must have been hard waiting for me to arrive before getting the party started.” I wave a hand toward the half-eaten food and piles of empty cans and bottles over by the table.

Henley barks out a laugh as her shoulders lift in a shrug. “This could have been from our open hours event.”

“You mean the bookstore’s Valentine’s Day afternoon tea? The one our mom attended?”

“Yep.”

“Sure. I bet it’s left over from that.” I scoff, rolling my eyes.

“Either way, it’s good to have you here. Now Lily can stop looking at the door.”

“You’re attacking me now?” Lily gasps jokingly while I pull her under my arm, frowning at Henley. “She’s right though. I was a little excited for you to arrive. It’s been too long since you last came home. I mean, since you last visited.”

Home is right, but I don’t correct her. “I know; I’m sorry. It was a busy end to the season. But it’s done now.”

“It is.” Lily smiles wide and curls her fingers into my shirt, peering up at me through her long lashes. “It’s offseason time.”

“It sure is. And I have so many plans for the three of us.”