And it would be one hell of a heartbreak.

“Babe, Jenny is downstairs with Wren, waiting.”

“I know. I’m sorry. Can you text Wren and ask what she’s wearing?”

Leaning up on his elbows, he looked down at his girlfriend who was sitting on the floor with clothes all around her. Her hair and makeup were done and she looked gorgeous, but she was naked. “Go like that.”

“Vaughn!”

“Fine.” Rolling his eyes, he hit Wren’s number. “Hey, what are you wearing?”

“I’m not in the mood, Vaughn.”

“No, really, Brie needs to know.”

“Oh, hand her the phone.”

“Babe,” he called, and she looked up as he tossed her the phone.

“Hey. Oh, so you’re not super dressy? Cool. So jeans are okay? I know it’s just your brother, but I want to look nice. Okay. Cool. Thanks. Yeah, hold on.”

Looking back up to him, she tossed his phone back. Bringing it to his ear, he watched as she stood and started to get dressed, her sweet ass wiggling as she slid up a pair of jeans before heading to the bathroom.

A grin pulled at his lips as he said, “Yeah?”

“Why is she worried about what to wear?”

“I don’t know? She’s a girl.”

“Don’t make her nervous about meeting all of us.”

“I’m not!”

“She’s a cool chick.”

“I know.”

“Don’t fuck up.”

“Don’t plan on it.”

“See you in a few.”

“I’m just so excited.”

“Har, har, har,” she said before the line went dead. Leaning back, he laughed as he shook his head, the absurdity of that conversation almost overwhelming. He would never make Brie nervous. Plus, he was pretty sure that girl wouldn’t worry about meeting them anyway. She knew everyone except for Wells and boyfriend guy; it wasn’t that big of a deal. It was a night out for them if nothing else. Them spending time together. Though, he was worried he was spending too much time with her.

He didn’t want to be the guy he had become when he was with Hazel. He had been pathetic, but he didn’t feel like that with Brie. He didn’t feel like a nuisance or a bother. She enjoyed him, and man, he enjoyed her. More than he could even fathom, and he only hoped she wasn’t getting sick of him.

When she came out of the bathroom, putting in an earring, he drank in her tight black jeans and big fuzzy white sweater. But when she turned her back to him, sliding her feet into some high black heels, he saw the sweater was backless, with just a tie holding the sides together.

“You and those backless outfits that drive me wild.”

She peeked over her shoulder at him. “That’s my plan.”

“Mmm, come here,” he said, hooking his finger at her.

“No, you’ll mess my hair up again.”

“You love it.”

“That is completely irrelevant.”

He scoffed. “Come here.”

“No. Come on, they’re waiting for us.”

“I don’t care. I want a kiss.”

“Then come here,” she said, reaching for her wristlet.

“No, I want you on me as we kiss.”

She groaned loudly. “You’re so needy,” she teased, crawling onto the bed and on top of him as he slid his hands into her sweater. Kissing her glossed-up lips, he squeezed his eyes shut as their tongues met. His body was still reaping the benefits of their little on-ice action. He loved being on the ice with her, seeing her skate and shoot with all her might. She was so damn hot, and when he had her against those boards, pounding into her with all he had in him, never in his life could he have dreamed up something like that.

Pulling away, he kissed her nose. “Did you have fun today?”

She reached up, tracing her finger along his lips. “I always have fun with you.”

He held her gaze as he nibbled on her fingers. “You aren’t sick of me?”

“Never.” He wanted to believe that. He wanted to know that it wouldn’t happen, but still, the anxiety was there. He didn’t like feeling like that, like she would run out on him, but the wounds that whore caused were deep. He had to keep reminding himself that Brie wouldn’t go anywhere. Brie wasn’t Hazel.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m fucked in the head.”

She tilted her head in question. “What do you mean?’

“It’s nothing,”

“Vaughn.”

He felt stupid as he muttered, “I have to remind myself you’re not her.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, it’s dumb.”

“No, I mean it’s a real concern, something that has kept you from doing this for a while. I understand that. But, Vaughn, I would never—”

“I know.”

“Okay, but let me say it,” she said, reaching up and holding his jaw in her hand, her eyes burning into his. “I will never hurt you like that. I would never lie to you or leave you like that. But most of all, I will never steal money from you. Your heart, that’s up for grabs, and I will take it the first chance I get, but everything else is safe—even that heart.” Her breath caught as her own heart pounded hard in her chest. “Do you understand me?”

“I do.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

“Wanna go?”

“No, let’s stay in.”

“No.” He laughed and she smiled. “They’re waiting on us.”

“I know,” he noted, taking ahold of her ass. “But I like it here.”

“As do I, but I want wine and dinner. I’m hungry.”

He nodded. “Can I bring you back here for some naughty time?”

She eyed him. “Will you be staying?”

“I can’t,” he answered quickly. “You know that. Coach would kill us.”

“Likely excuse.”

He smirked. “You don’t want to sleep with me. I snore.”

“I do. I want to be with you.”

“You are with me.”

Exhaling hard, she slid off him, rolling her eyes. “Let’s go.”