Waking up to texts from Myla was my favorite. Seeing her quirky humor was so freaking perfect to me.

Myla: Morning handsome.

Me: Hey babe. What are you doing up so early?

Myla: Heading into Central Park to get a good run in. With you and Brayden on the road, I have to fill my day off somehow.

Me: True.

Myla: You’re never going to believe what just happened! I cannot stop laughing.

Me: What?!

Myla: A chick on the train just answered her phone, "Hello, Hillary Swallows…"

Me: That is classic! I would have spit out my coffee laughing.

Myla: I picked up my head and locked eyes with the chick across from me. We were both trying to fight giggles when she raised an eyebrow and leaned over to say, "I bet she does…"

Me: Fucking amazing!

Myla: Both of us are still giggling like little kids. I like when people are on my juvenile wavelength.

Me: I can’t wait to be home to you, baby.

Myla: You’ll be back before you know it. Kick some ass tonight. I’ll be at Simon’s watching the game with him and Raul.

Me: Raul?

Myla: Simon has a new boyfriend. I haven’t met him yet, but Simon is pretty enthralled to say the least.

After getting out of bed, I walked down the hall and knocked on Brayden’s door.

He opened it, letting me in reluctantly.

“Are we still not okay?” I asked, leaning against the desk as he threw an Otters t-shirt on.

“I don’t know, man. I mean she seems to be the happiest she’s ever been, so I’m trying to be all right with this.”

“Thanks.” It was the only thing to say, and it meant a lot to me that Brayden was at least trying. “So, Myla’s birthday is the day after our next home game, right?”

Brayden nodded. “What were you thinking?” His shoulders relaxed a little as he sat in an armchair across from me.

“Well, I figured we could get the team together and party in the city. We could do something low key, but I thought it would be nice if she saw that we planned something together.”

Brayden stretched. “That would mean a lot to her I am sure, and she does love the city this time of year, says the winter makes it magical or some shit.”

I couldn’t help but get the biggest shit-eating grin on my face, thinking back to the first night in my apartment with her being so happy on my balcony. “We could do something at my place, then we wouldn’t have to worry about too much. I know a kickass bartender that would do it up really awesome for us.”

“Sounds like a plan to me, but no banging my sister while I am there. I will lose my shit if that happens.”

“Deal.” We shook on it and I got to work texting Jordan, Sean, and Simon to enlist their help on making it a night Myla was never going to forget.

* * *

“Hi, Mom. How’re you?” She always called at the worst times. I was already running behind schedule, rushing to the arena for the game.

“Fine. I was talking to Sherryl and she said her daughter never heard back from you after that date a while back.” The disappointment in her voice was pissing me off.

“Did you ever think I might not have wanted to go on the date in the first place? That chick was an aspiring housewife for crying out loud.”

“Oh, honey, at least she had the nerve to tell you that honestly. Deep down that’s what every woman wants. A good provider and to not have to work—it’s the American dream.”

“I met someone.” She was silent.

“Mom?”

She cleared her throat. “I thought that Cox girl was just going to be a fling.”

“Are you kidding? How’d you know about Myla?”

“Honey, you’re dating one of your teammates’ sisters and she’s the daughter of one of the biggest embarrassments your franchise has ever had. People talk, you know.”

“This conversation is over, Mom. I have a game to win.”

She sighed. “Bring her to dinner Sunday night.”

“No.”

“Your brother is only in town for that evening and you better be there. Bring the girl or not, up to you, but your butt better be in your seat by six when dinner is ready.”

“We’ll see.”

“Do I look okay?” I twirled for Gavin in my long-sleeved, deep purple dress.

“Stunning as always. Are you sure you’re okay with going?” I could see how nervous he was about having me come to his family’s dinner.

“It’s your family. They’re important to you, so they are important to me. I’m excited to finally meet them.”

Gavin leaned back on my bed grabbing the brand new copy of Ryker off my nightstand, thumbing through the middle as I finished putting my makeup on.

“You’re important to me. They’re an obligation.”

I glanced at him. “Well, I’m not going anywhere, so I will have to meet them eventually, right?”

He shrugged then nearly choked laughing.

“What?” I questioned, taking a seat next to him.

“This is like fucking porn. I had no idea you read shit like this.”

I tried to grab the book out of his hands as he started to read one of the sex scenes that made me blush.

“‘I’m trying... but... Oh... Fuck... right there.’ I try to beg him not to stop, but the words won’t come out. I blink rapidly as my eyes white spots cloud my vision. Holy mother of everything holy... ‘Oh my god. Shit! I’m gonna…’ the waves of pleasure flow through my body as he continues to lick and suck on my clit, dragging my orgasm out. My eyes roll back into my head over and over again. My breathing quickens and a thin sheen of sweat covers my entire body. I’ve never felt anything like that in my life. Nothing.’ Holy hell, babe. No wonder you’re good at talking dirty.” He threw the book down onto the bed, grabbing me. “I can think of a lot more fun things we could do if we blew off dinner with my folks.”

I kissed him quickly then jumped to my feet. “We are going and if we don’t leave now, we’re going to be late.”

* * *

Mansion was an understatement; the Hayes estate was sprawling. I knew Gavin’s parents both came from money, but I had no idea just how much of it they actually had.

We were greeted at the front door by a guy I could only assume was Gavin’s brother.

“Holy shit! You actually came. I bet Dad fifty bucks you were going to be a no-show.” Gavin hugged his brother before introducing us.

“Griff, meet Myla.”

He wrapped me up in a huge hug. “It’s nice to meet you,” I said as he was releasing his vice grip.

“The pleasure is all mine.” Griffin took both of our coats and put them into the closet just outside the foyer.

“So, Gavin told me you were pretty, but he did not do your beauty justice, to say the least.” Griffin slapped Gavin’s arm. “Damn, bro, no wonder you’re holding on to this one.”

Gavin snarled at his brother. “Cool it, Griff. I already don’t want to be here—don’t make this anymore awkward than it needs to be.”

We all took seats around the table after I formally met Gavin’s parents, neither of whom seemed to want anything to do with Gavin or me. I had no idea why his mother had insisted we make an appearance at dinner if our company wasn’t welcome.

After we had a glass of wine with some cheese and crackers in silence, Gavin’s mother finally spoke. “So, Myla, Gavin tells me you’re a figure skating coach. Any promising skaters I should be looking for in the next Olympics?”

I must have been as red as red could be. “No ma’am, not yet at least. My girls have quite a while before they’ll even be jumping.”

“So, you work with peewees then?”

I nodded, not knowing what else to say. “It’s really been amazing.”

Griff smiled sweetly at me. “Have you been to any of Gavin’s games this season?”

“I was at the first one. It was absolutely amazing, to say the least.”

Mr. Hayes grunted from the head of the table. He was definitely a man of few words, maybe no words for that matter. How does he coach like that?

Gavin grabbed my hand. “This little lady was our good luck charm for sure that night. Cox and I played even harder knowing she was rooting for us.”

“Honey, I’m sorry but I just cannot do this.” Mrs. Hayes shoved away from the table. “I mean a Cox for crying out loud, and you claim to love her? Do you really think that will suit our family? A peewee figure skating assistant coach to a washed-up has-been? This is just awful.”

I started to scoot my chair back. “Maybe I should just leave,” I whispered to Gavin. Griff started shaking his head, waving his hand at me to stay in my seat.

Griffin followed his mother into the living room. “I’ll take care of her. Dad? Want to join me?”

Mr. Hayes grunted, taking his Scotch glass and going the opposite direction of his wife and youngest son. “This is bullshit.”

First words I had ever heard the man say and he was piss drunk, swearing about the shit show that had just ensued because his son had brought me home for dinner.

Gavin angrily erupted from the table. “Myla, I’m sorry but I need a minute.”

He rushed out the back door and there I sat, alone in a fancy formal dining room with a roasted Cornish hen in front of me like an idiot.

After a few minutes, I found my way to the backyard.

“Gavin?” I walked out to the back patio where he was pacing.

“Babe, I am so sorry I lost it in there. They just get under my skin.”

I grabbed his hand. “Gavin, look at me.”

He glanced down, his eyes glassing over as he pulled my coat closed to help me stay warm. “What’s up, babe?”

“You cannot light yourself on fire to keep others warm. Just remember that.”

Pulling me into him, he sighed. “How did I get so lucky to find you?” He kissed my forehead. “How about we blow this popsicle stand, grab a pizza, and watch Jim Jefferies’ new special that just came out?”

Beaming up at the man I loved, I hug him tighter. “That sounds perfect.”

* * *

After eating my weight in pizza, I curled up under a fluffy blanket in bed with Gavin. Even though the night had started off stressful, there was nothing about these little moments that I would change for the world.

“You know what I don’t freaking get?” My inevitable food coma was starting to make me giggly and totally goofy.

Gavin looked down at me, smiling and laughing. “What’s that, beautiful?”

I paused Jim Jefferies right as he was telling a story about Oscar Pistorius and how he shot the hottest girl on earth. “Why the fuck is a New York team’s mascot an otter? Where the hell did Ollie come from?”

He pulled me closer to him and kissed my cheek. “Do you know how adorable you are?”

“Why is that adorable? I am seriously so confused by this fact.”

“Ollie the Otter was the original owner’s daughter’s pet. She begged her dad to make him the mascot and she used to bring the damn thing into the owner’s box on a leash.”

I chewed on the last piece of crust from my paper plate. “That is amazing!” I exclaimed with food still in my mouth. “How the hell did I not know this?”

“Your father and brother apparently slacked on keeping you informed about their team’s history, my dear.”

“Bray doesn’t like talking to me about the team really, or even hockey in general, and my sperm donor can rot in that place for all I care.”

“Well, I will talk to you about it, tell you anything you want to know.”

“Really?” I cuddled into the crook of his shoulder as a wave of sleepies took over.

“Yes, babe. You’re my girl. That means I will tell you anything and everything you want as long as it keeps putting smiles like that on your face.”