Heartthrob (The Bennett Brothers 3)

There’s a knock at the door, and Grace pokes her head through, her violet eyes wide, darting between us. “Is it safe to come in?”

“Sure, Prego, come in. Are we almost ready?”

She nods, eyeing me hesitantly. “We’re all here. The shirts are ready to be passed out to the kids, and the players are bouncing on their feet to get this party started. Shaw and Nick sent me to get you two.”

“Let’s roll.” I make a move, but Bizzy grabs my arm, her eyes glistening.

“This conversation is not done.”

“Yes, Bizzy, it is. Not everyone has the happy ending you and Grace have. Live with it.”

I brush her off, paste a smile on my face, and leave the room, ready to make the kids on my floor the happiest they’ve been in a long time.

Chapter 2

Mathis

Nick, Jarvis, and a few other players ignite the ward. Nurse Evie is even dancing to the music as they play around. Claire is in the center of the rec room, swinging her hips, lining up the kids as they wait for pictures.

I’m off tonight, tired as hell, but wouldn’t miss this. Having the Super Bowl champions visit has been the highlight of these kids’ lives. My family is here, but more importantly, Claire is here.

My Claire.

My instincts are screaming at me to go to her, snatch her away, and make her talk to me.

Why the fuck she ran last night, I’m still trying to figure out. I want her to move in, establish our lives, build a foundation—and she ran.

My chest seizes when I watch her take Brinley from Shaw, dipping and shaking until Brinley’s squealing in delight. She’s glanced my way once since arriving and has avoided me ever since.

Fuck it, this has gone on long enough. I take a step forward and then I feel it.

The heat, the disappointment, the wrath is coming. I turn to find Bizzy and Grace at my back. Both have their arms crossed and are staring at me angrily.

“What happened?” Bizzy glares icily.

“Biz,” I start, but she cuts me off.

“Don’t ‘Biz’ me. What happened?”

“She left me.” I point out what they probably know.

“No one actually leaves a Bennett. They chase them down!”

“I couldn’t find her.”

Bizzy’s face morphs into something unrecognizable, and she glances through the room at Claire. “She disappeared?”

“Yes. I went looking for her, but she didn’t go home.”

“Why didn’t you call me?”

“Because it was the middle of the night, and Shaw would have had a conniption. Besides, this doesn’t have anything to do with anyone but the two of us.”

I immediately regret my choice of words when Bizzy jerks and Grace’s jaw drops. “We’re a group. All of us. Have you forgotten that?” Bizzy asks softly.

“There are some things that need to remain private, Biz. Whatever is going on will work itself out.”

“Work itself out?” Grace looks like she may cry. I need to act fast or else Nick will go crazy.