He still found it very difficult to watch. He wanted to protect her, stop the feelings, but it was hard when she didn’t let him. The problem was it had taken longer than he’d thought for Mekena to accept that it wasn’t her fault. But when she finally did, the healing started. It has taken the help of her family and him, but now he knew Mekena was going to be okay. But if for some reason she wasn’t, he would be there, supporting her with everything inside of him.

Because he loved her.

He loved her more now than he ever thought he could. They just worked, and even though they’d had some roadblocks and a few bumps, they were going to be okay. Because they had each other.

Together they could do anything.

But it wasn’t only him who helped Mekena. Avery had been a lifesaving angel. She hadn’t even gone home until two weeks ago, staying just to help with everything and be there for Mekena when she needed someone to talk to besides him. He appreciated her best friend, especially when he had to leave for road trips. Elli had insisted Mekena take some time off, and those few weeks had helped her heal even faster.

Another thing that surprised him was that his family had come to her aid. They had come to the funeral and brought food for not only Mekena and him, but also her family. His mom even texted to check on Mekena, and in his eyes, they had accepted her. But that could change at a moment’s notice. His family wasn’t really reliable and he knew that, so that was okay. He knew who he was dealing with and wasn’t expecting more than they were able to give. In the end, he would always have the Sinclairs.

But above all, he knew they were going to be okay as a couple. They were both too stubborn to allow their lives to be anything other than great. Did they still cry? Get mad? Yes, but he figured that was a part of life, and they were building a life. Together. The apartment was coming along beautifully, Mr. Right had lost a good three pounds, and they had bought a car together. They worked together, they enjoyed each other’s company, and above all, they made love often. Everything was how he wanted it, needed it, and he was more than a little bit excited about it.

Because he was with her.

“Sorry about this, guys. They called when I was in my appointment to say that it was ready, and I wanna give it to Mekena for Christmas.”

Jayden waved Markus off as they walked down the sidewalk outside Green Hills Mall where they would meet Mr. Preston before going into Tiffany to pick the gifts up for Mekena and Mrs. Preston. “No big deal. Lunch can wait.”

Vaughn scoffed. “I don’t know why you think that, because I’m starving, and I was told I was being fed.”

Markus rolled his eyes. “Why didn’t you drive, then?”

“’Cause you told me we were eating!”

Jayden and Markus laughed. “We’ll get there, I promise.”

Vaughn grumbled. “Listen, I’m hungry and pissed. I had to do media today, and I just want food.”

“Aw, did Vaughn have to talk to Brie, and it made him angry?” Jayden teased, and Vaughn glared.

“I hate you as much as I hate her.”

“You don’t hate her. You want to bang her, but she won’t give you the time of day, so you’re a dick.”

Vaughn scoffed. “If I wanted her, I’d have her.”

“Sure,” Markus laughed. “She’s way out of your league.”

“Ha, like you have any room to talk. Mekena is a hottie, she should holler at me, not your scrawny ass.”

Markus laughed harder. “Please, my woman loves me and only me.”

“Speaking of Mekena,” Jayden said. “Are they not back yet?”

Markus shook his head, checking his phone. “She should be home in about two hours. I think they got stuck in Georgia.”

Mekena had flown to Florida and met Avery to drive back home. They were on their “girls trip” they had been talking about for months. Markus figured it was a great idea and flew her down there a couple days before since they had a five-day break between games. He was lucky that Avery was free, and that Autumn was actually already down there visiting so that she could keep Ashlyn. It all worked out, and he knew that Mekena needed some girl time with her best friend. She had been bummed when Avery had to go home after staying with them for so long, and he’d admit, he missed them too.

Or better yet, he missed Ashlyn, because watching that toddler chase around a fat cat was basically the highlight of his mornings.

As they walked into the mall, Markus sent her a quick text.

Markus: Where you be at, woman of mine?

Mekena: Three hours away. We stopped for food.

Markus: Ugh! HURRY, I miss you!

Mekena: Good, cause I wanna bang.

Markus: Jesus, you horndog.

Mekena: Haha. I miss you. See you soon.

Smiling, he tucked his phone into his pocket as they entered the mall, where Markus found Mr. Preston waiting by the directory. He had called Stan when he left the Assassins office since he had gotten Mrs. Preston the same gift he had gotten Mekena.

“Hey,” he called, and Stan smiled as he came off the sign. He didn’t look how he had when Markus had first met him. He was skinnier, looked tired, and Markus knew it was because Mrs. Preston wasn’t handling Skylar’s death well. She was in more advanced therapy since the complimentary one ran out after the first month. Mekena tried to lift her mother up, but Linda still blamed herself and felt like a piece of her was missing. Markus knew he could never replace that piece, but he thought maybe the gift he had made for her and Mekena would help.

“Hey, thanks for letting me tag along.”

“Of course. These are my buddies, Jayden and Vaughn. Guys, this is Mekena’s dad, Stan.”

“Stan, the man,” Vaughn laughed, but Stan didn’t laugh.

“Nice to meet you.”

Shooting Markus a look, Vaughn shook Mr. Preston’s hand before they started for Tiffany. They made small talk, mostly about hockey since that was an easy subject all four men could agree on.

When the sign for the store came into view, Markus smiled just as Jayden said, “Hey, why don’t Vaughn and I go to the Cheesecake Factory and wait for y’all? There is no reason for all of us to go. This is a family matter, ya know?”

Markus hadn’t even realized that, but then, he thought of the guys as family. They were his best friends. The Assassins was his home, and he was so lucky that the contract he had signed was a three-year deal with a no-trade clause.