“Hi,” he said as she ran into his arms.
“Griffin? Oh my God. Are you real?”
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart. I got here as fast as I could.”
“How? When? How?” she asked, not giving him a chance to answer between her endless stream of kisses.
Striker glanced at all the eyes around the room focused solely on them. “If you all wouldn’t mind excusing us, I’m sure Onyx will answer whatever questions you have. Right, buddy?” Striker squeezed his teammate’s shoulder as he led Aine out of the room.
“Is there somewhere private we can talk?” Striker asked her.
“Come with me,” she answered, leading him through the house.
“What the hell, how big is this place?” he commented as they went from room to room until they reached the door that led to the enclosed porch.
“Tell me what happened. I was so worried. How did Onyx find you?”
“We have all the time in the world for that, Aine. Right now, I want to hear about you. I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too. So much.”
Striker kissed her and pulled her body flush with his. “All I could think about was how I didn’t want you to spend Christmas alone.”
“I wasn’t. As you could see, there’s a houseful of people here.”
“I meant without me.”
Aine smiled. “I know. I’m so happy to see you.”
“I have a condo about an hour from here, would—”
“Yes.”
“Yes, you want to go, or yes, you’d mind?”
“Yes, I want to go, as soon as you do.”
“How about right now?”
“You don’t have to talk to anyone, or…”
“I’m here to see you. I don’t give reindeer poop about anyone else.”
Aine laughed, and it was such a sweet sound. There was only one sweeter, and he intended to hear it over and over again once they were at his condo and alone.
—:—
“Merry Christmas, everyone!” Aine shouted as she and Griffin stood by the front door and waved.
“I guess you’re gonna want these, Striker,” said Onyx, handing him a set of keys.
“Thanks, man. Uh, I don’t really care right now, but what are you gonna do for a ride?”
“I haven’t slept in over thirty-six hours. The only thing I need right now is a flat surface to fall asleep on.”
“Come with me,” said Madeline. “I have the perfect place for you to get some rest.”
“Where are you taking him?” asked Gunner.