Hendrix (Raleigh Raptors 3)

“Not people, Mom. My coach. It’s his number one rule—hands off Savannah.” And my hands had most definitely been on her. They’d been all over her, and just the thought of touching her again had my palms itching for the chance.

She picked up the bowl and headed for the sink.

“What are you doing?”

She lifted her brows, tilting the bowl so the eggs raced for the edge. “We can’t very well enjoy breakfast knowing that I broke all those eggs.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I took the bowl and set it back on the counter, checking to make sure Savannah’s attention was anywhere but on us. She was still firmly engrossed in Hunter.

“You don’t be ridiculous,” Mom shook her finger at me. “The eggs are already broken. Happiness isn’t something that comes along for everyone, Hendrix, and you and I both know just how fast it can be taken away. I have no regrets about the twenty years I had with your father before that drunk driver took the rest away.” She shook her head.

“I know.” They’d had the fairytale right up until the very end.

“The eggs are already broken, Hendrix. You already crossed that line, let the horse out of the barn—”

“I get it,” I said with a laugh.

“Be a shame not to see where it takes you. That’s all I’m saying. Girl looks good with a baby.” She whipped the eggs.

“Yeah. She looks good with a career in sports management too.” There wasn’t much that didn’t look good on Savannah.

“Oh, I’m sorry, was there some rule that says you can’t have both?” She tilted her head and stared me down despite the fact that she was twelve inches shorter than me. “Honestly, you raise a boy to chase a football, and he forgets how to chase anything else. And you can tell Weston I said the same about him. He needs a good woman, too.” She shot me a hard side-eye. “Best thing that boy’s father ever did for him was put him in public school. Lord only knows how he would have turned out if he hadn’t had a little perspective. Not that you two ever managed to stay out of trouble. Pretty sure I was on Principal Mann’s speed dial while you were in high school.”

This time my laughter caught Savannah’s attention, and Mom promptly changed the subject.

It was late afternoon before we headed back to Raleigh, and dusk as we approached the city limits. Every mile we’d driven felt like a countdown, bringing us closer to our demise.

“Is London still pissed?” I asked, seeing Savannah check a text message.

“She is. She and Caz got everything moved out while we were in Richmond, so at least I know she didn’t kill him.”

“I still can’t believe that Caz Foster is her brother.” The guy was one of the fastest skaters in the NHL, with an even faster temper to match it. Pretty sure he’d racked up half his team’s penalty minutes last season from dropping gloves. “I thought Bangor was trying to snap him up. His rookie contract was up at the end of last season, right?”

She nodded. “I guess the Reapers made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”

“They offered his little sister a job.” If I’d had a move to secure Shell’s future, I would have, too.

“Exactly. He’s always been overprotective of London, especially since—" She shook her head. “And you can’t blame her for keeping her family private. Hell, I’ve known you for years, been sleeping with you for weeks, and I didn’t know you even had a sister.” She poked me in the arm. “She’s pretty great. Greg and your mom, too. Hunter is scrumptious.”

I grinned. “They’re the best. And let’s be honest, when I have you alone, I’m not exactly focused on filling you in on the family tree,” I teased. “I keep my family life private, just like London. They deserve that.”

“I get that.” She started to speak, then stopped herself.

“What?” I glanced at her.

“I’m just really glad you took me. You know practically everything there is to know about mine, so it was nice to get to meet yours.” She looked away. “We’re almost back.”

“Yeah. We are.” My stomach sank. We were at the end of the two weeks we’d extended our agreement to. Suddenly, this very simple proposition wasn’t so simple…or maybe it never had been, and I’d been too desperate to touch her to realize it.

She sighed, long and hard.

Could I do it? Let her go? Pretend the last two weeks had never happened? Could I see her at the team events, pass by her at the club and not pull her into my arms? Could I see her with someone else?

My hands tightened on the wheel. God help the next man who tried to touch her. I’d break every bone in his goddamned body.