13. Cassi

thirteen

Cassi

" Y ou're certainly happy." Teagan greets me with a hug before sitting down at the table at our favorite coffee shop. "Is it because of those flowers that were delivered to your office last week?" Teagan taps her index finger to her chin like she's in deep thought, "I've got it!" She snaps her fingers, "You're finally having sex with Dalton, Ace, and Maverick."

"Shh, keep your voice down." I grab her arm and lower my head closer to the table. "Someone might hear you."

"You've got to be kidding me, right? Everyone knows you have the hots for them, and they have the hots for you. It's about time you did something about it. I was getting worried about you. I body is not meant to go that long without sex."

"Teagan." I hiss, but she doesn't take the hint.

"I know exactly what it's like to have three young, virile men want to fuck you all the time."

She's not wrong. The last two weeks have been amazing. We each do our own thing during the day, making sure to keep our personal lives out of our professional lives since we essentially work together. Well, except for that time after they sent me roses to work. Or the time we borrowed Teagan's personal group shower room—am I glad I had that added to her contract.

"Earth to Cassi. Did you hear what I said?"

"Um, not exactly. I was thinking about your contract." Which isn't a lie. I was thinking about part of her contract.

"R-i-g-h-t." she stretches out the word, not believing me.

"Look, I know you—you need to be in control. What you're feeling for these three guys makes you feel anything but in control. I should know I've been there—hell, I'm still there. But don't shy away from it even if you feel weird being older than them." Teagan looks at her watch. "Oh, shoot. I've got to go. I need to be at the arena soon to change and warm up. I'll see you at the game." Teagan leans over the table and gives me another hug.

I sit there for a few minutes, letting her words sink in.

Am I worried about going public with a relationship with them because I'm so much older than they are?

Hell, yes, I'm worried who wouldn't be—they're young and handsome professional hockey players. They can have any woman they want. Why would they want to be stuck with an old lady like me?

"Cassi, is that you?" I look up from my cup of coffee and see Jake Richardson, my ex's former business partner. It seems he wasn't too happy with my ex leaving me at the altar, so he severed all ties with him personally and professionally.

"Hey, Jake. What are you doing here?"

"I'm in town for business. You look great, by the way." His eyes roam up and down my body, and I hold back a shiver of disgust. It's not that Jake is unattractive or mean—it's quite the opposite. Jake is funny and handsome. He even volunteers at the homeless shelter one night a week—something very grown-up to do. "Would you like to go to dinner with me tonight—unless you're seeing someone?"

My future rests in my answer—do I grow up and move on with someone my own age, like Jake? Or do I continue with the fantasy with three guys eight years younger than me?

I make my first mistake of the night by agreeing to go out with Jake.

"Great, give me your number, and I'll call you when I have dinner reservations."

I unlock my phone and let Jake enter his phone number, feeling uneasy about my decision but ultimately knowing that this thing with Dalton, Ace, and Maverick will never last.

We say our goodbyes as Jake leaves the coffee shop, and I make my second mistake, not only tonight but also in my life. I send a text to Dalton, Ace, and Maverick telling them I won't be at the game tonight because I have a date, essentially sealing my fate for any further relationship with the three of them.