It had been a month since Josh had shown up on Dayna’s doorstep, and made me realize I wanted more than one night from her.
So much fucking more.
We’d spent the month together. Exploring Dupont Beach. Hanging out with Carson on his boat. Having cookouts with Derek and Judy, and even Mom when she came and visited.
Dayna was working at the Erie Echo now, so I didn’t get to see her during the week as much. But I often found myself borrowing Carson’s truck to drive out to the Echo’s HQ and surprise my girl with lunch or a quick make-out session in her office.
The truth was, I couldn’t get enough of her. She made me better. She made me dream of things I’d never given so much as a second thought before.
A relationship. A future. Maybe even a family one day.
Yeah, I was in deep.
Deep enough that I expected my teammates to give me shit about it. Especially Holden, the smug fucker.
“Hey,” Dayna came over, tucking herself into my side. “You must be Noah Holden.”
“And you must be freckles.”
“Aiden, you didn’t.” She glowered at me, and I fought a smile.
“Oh, he did. Hasn’t shut up about you in our group chat.”
“Holden,” I murmured under my breath. Yeah, I was gone for Dayna, but I didn’t need her thinking I’d turned into a total pussy.
“Group chat, huh?” Dayna pressed her hand to my stomach, sending a lick of heat through me. I’d had her every which way possible, and it still wasn’t enough. But my favorite kind of sex with Dayna was at the rink, every damn time. There was just something about taking my girl at the one place that had always felt like home to me.
“Sounds… interesting.”
“So, what do you think of Dumfries’ chances of going pro?”
“I think he can do it.” She grinned up at me.
“Damn right, he can.”
It still felt weird having someone in my corner. Dayna had taken it upon herself these last few weeks to memorize all my stats. And she came down to the rink as much as she could to watch me practice. The fact she used to do it with her brother and Carson and now did it with me was a huge fucking honor.
One I wanted to be worthy of.
“How much are you paying her to say that Dumfries?”
“Oh, he pays me plenty.” Dayna’s other hand squeezed my ass gently, and Noah barked a laugh.
“Hold on to this one, man. Something tells me she’s a keeper.”
He wasn’t wrong there.
Not by a long shot.
DAYNA
“Hey, Bug. What are you doing in here?” Carson joined me in his kitchen while I watched the party going on outside without me.
“Just catching my breath.”
“The guys a bit too much for you?”
“No, everyone’s been very sweet.”