Epilogue

GRACE

“Congrats on moving into your new house!” Kelly said as she raised her glass in a toast. After much finagling, we’d finally found a time to get together at one of our favorite restaurants.

Both Elodie and I raised our glasses. I hadn’t had time to hang out with my girlfriends for the past few weeks after Brady and I had closed on a house. We’d finally moved in, although we barely had any furniture between the two of us. We’d laughed like lunatics when we’d realized we’d have to sleep on a mattress on the floor until we got an actual bed.

“How is everything going?” Elodie asked.

I smiled, feeling my cheeks heat. Sure, buying a house with your boyfriend and then moving in with him was stressful—but mostly it’d been amazing.

“We’re still together,” I joked.

Kelly snorted. “I lasted a week when I moved in with my first boyfriend. He didn’t believe in doing the dishes, so he’d literally throw away ceramic bowls instead of washing them. Oh, and he never did laundry. He just kept buying underwear. He had more underwear than anyone I’ve ever known.”

“Oh my God.” Elodie covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. “I can’t even imagine.”

“When I tried to wash the dishes one night, he got mad at me. Said I was ‘wasting water.’” Kelly rolled her eyes. “Anyway, when he tried to get me to stop flushing the toilet except for once a day, I bailed.”

“Great story, Kels,” I said.

“Please tell me that Brady lets you flush the toilet,” said Kelly.

I assured my friends that Brady did, in fact, let me flush the toilet. He even knew how to put the seat down and wash dishes. His laundry skills were to be determined, though.

“I mean, he doesn’t need to do laundry much,” I admitted, stirring my drink. “He loves to be naked. It’s pretty nice.”

“One of the perks of living together, huh?” said Elodie.

“I mean, we lived together before, as kids. But not like this. Sharing a room, a bed ...” I sighed happily. “It’s better than I could’ve imagined.”

“Aw, you make me want to puke.” Kelly patted my shoulder. “I’m happy for you, kid.”

“You don’t mind living near your parents?” Elodie asked, raising an eyebrow.

When I’d suggested that we buy a house near my parents, I’d expected Brady to protest. But to my surprise, he’d loved the idea. And so had my parents.

I’d loved seeing how my parents had really embraced Brady like a son in the past six months. I had a feeling it was more because Brady was allowing them in. He was also on the path of forgiving himself.

“It’s kinda nice. We’d like to get a puppy, but we’d need help, obviously. So my parents can come over a lot when we’re at work or Brady’s out of town,” I said.

“You know what they say about getting a puppy ...” Kelly gave me an amused look. “It’s just the first step to having a baby.”

I nearly choked on my drink. “Oh God, it’s way too soon for that!”

“If I were you, I’d be poking holes in the condoms ASAP. Lock that man down,” said Kelly.

I snorted. Elodie was just staring down at her drink, a shy smile on her face. I had noticed that Elodie hadn’t ordered alcohol tonight. Now I couldn’t help but wonder ...

“Elodie,” I said, narrowing my eyes at her. “What’s that smile about?”

Elodie’s smile just widened. “Um, what?”

Now Kelly was staring at Elodie. “You’ve been awfully quiet. What’s up?”

“Nothing. I mean, yes, there is something.” Elodie sighed. “I’m botching this terribly. I’m pregnant, you guys.”

Kelly and I both erupted into squeals at the same time. We were so loud that a few nearby restaurant patrons shot us dirty looks.

“Seriously? How far along? When did you find out?” I asked.

“I’ve known for a little while now. I know, I know. I was being paranoid. I made Mac keep his mouth shut, and he almost exploded. After the first sonogram, I had to stop him from telling every person he ran into.”

“That’s adorable,” said Kelly.

Elodie lowered her voice. “He’d kill me if I told you this, but he cried at that first appointment. Full-on crying, even a few sobs. I was worried he regretted the baby, but no, he was just so happy.”

I felt tears rise in my eyes. “I love that.”

“He even wants to get a tattoo of the baby’s heartbeat over his heart.” Elodie sighed happily. “And don’t even get him started on strollers and car seats. He keeps sending me articles and videos of reviews. He wants to buy a few and test them out himself, even though it’s not like he’s a certified tester.”

“You guys are so lucky,” Kelly moaned. “How did you manage to find the two guys in the world who are completely obsessed with you?”

We talked a little longer about what softies Mac and Brady were, despite their outward appearance of being big and strong. Moving in with Brady had shown me another side of him. He’d often kiss me on the forehead whenever he’d leave early for practice or a game, and he’d tuck me in at night before I fell asleep. When he’d found out I loved a particular brand of yogurt, he nearly bought an entire case because it was on sale somewhere.

He’d tried cooking dinner last night, but that was still a work in progress. He’d burned the grilled cheese and then had forgotten to put water in the tomato soup, so we’d had burned sandwiches with ketchup. I’d tried my best to eat it with a smile, but Brady had caught on quickly how bad the food was. We’d ended up ordering takeout.

“So does this mean you guys are moving up your wedding date?” I asked Elodie.

“No, I just have to make sure I get a dress that can be altered easily. I was worried about Mac’s parents being upset since they’re so conservative, but Mac refused to act like we’d done anything wrong.” Elodie shrugged. “He’d be fine if I were nine months pregnant and walked down the aisle in a bikini.”

Kelly laughed. “Now that sounds like an awesome wedding.”

Once we’d discussed Elodie’s wedding, I finally found a moment to question Kelly about her dating life. “I thought you were dating that guy from your PhD program?” I asked her.

“Oh, that’s been over for a while. I’m trying a different kind of guy lately,” she said.

“What does that mean?” Elodie asked.

Kelly shrugged. “Just something different, that’s all.”

Kelly was never the type of girl to be coy. “Okay, now you’re sounding extra sus. Spill, woman,” I demanded.

“It’s not that big of a deal. You know you gave me a pass to the Scarlet Rope? Well, I went last Saturday.”

Both Elodie and I raised our eyebrows. “You know neither of us are going to judge you for that,” Elodie pointed out.

“No, it’s just ...” Kelly sighed. “I had a good time. Great, even.”

Now I was just confused. “So what’s the problem?”

“I might’ve met someone.”

I gestured for Kelly to continue.

“It’s weird because you know it was my birthday last week, right? That’s why I went. Well, this guy’s birthday happens to be the day after mine.” Kelly was almost rambling now, which wasn’t like her. “And then we got started talking, and I realized that I knew who he was. He had a mask on, though. That’s why I didn’t know who he was at first.”

“Who was he?” Elodie asked.

“Roman Gentry.”

My jaw dropped. Roman Gentry was one of Brady’s teammates, but he hadn’t played as much lately because he attended law school part-time. It’d been quite the coup when he’d stepped down from being a main player three years ago. I’d met the guy only a few times, since I’d been in college during the height of his fame.

“Holy shit.” Elodie let out a laugh. “Mac must’ve given Roman a pass. Roman called Mac up a few weeks ago, and they’re planning on going out for drinks soon.”

Kelly lowered her voice. “I also had some fun. Before I met Roman, that is. Or knew who he was. I went to one of the rooms where they blindfold you. I thought it’d be freaky in a, well, freaky way. But it was sexy as fuck. Not knowing what the other person was going to do, or how they were going to touch you.”

Kelly shivered. “Man, I never thought I was a kinky bitch, but I guess we all have a little kink in us, huh?”

I looked at Elodie. Elodie just blushed, and I burst out laughing.

“So are you and Roman going to see each other again?” I asked.

“I have his number, but I haven’t texted him yet,” Kelly admitted.

“Why the hell not?” I said.

“Because—I don’t know!” Kelly groaned. “I’ve always been confident around guys, but Roman ... He was so hot, and confident, and a hockey player. That’s like the trifecta for me. And when I told him all about my PhD program, lo and behold, he’s going to fucking law school? So he’s smart, too? Anyway, I’m too afraid he’ll just ghost me.”

“Kelly.” Elodie put a hand on Kelly’s arm. “You’re being ridiculous. Just text him. I bet he’s dying for you to message him.”

“You think so?” Kelly asked.

“Duh,” I replied. “You’re hot, too. And everything else you just listed. And wait, didn’t you just say he was one of the guys in the blindfold room with you?”

Kelly nodded. “That’s how we started talking, afterward. He was the one touching me the most, apparently. And he knew what he was doing, I can say that. The man has magic hands. Fuck, I’m getting turned on just thinking about it.”

Elodie fanned herself. “Goodness, it’s getting hot in here. Or maybe it’s just my hormones.”

We then talked about Roman and figured out everything we knew about him. Elodie revealed that Roman was also involved in a charity that taught underprivileged youth how to play hockey and pushed legislation to build community centers where kids could skate, among other things.

Kelly then mentioned that he had eight brothers. Eight!

“His poor mother,” I commented.

“I googled his family,” Kelly said. “And all of his brothers are hot. It’s insane, the gene pool in that family.”

After dinner, we linked hands as we walked to the parking lot nearby. “I can’t wait to have a triple date with all of you and our hot hockey players,” Elodie said with a grin.

“All that sexiness in one place? We might die,” Kelly said, laughing.

“Six people for drinks and dinner? Good luck finding a table for that in LA,” I said.

“Hey, seven people!” Kelly looked over at Elodie. “Soon to be seven, at least.”

Elodie patted her stomach. “And if this kid is anything like their dad ... I’m definitely in for it.”

When I arrived home, I sat outside in my car for a few minutes. Mostly because I hadn’t really known what our new house looked like at night yet.

I’d left the porch light on, so it illuminated the front enough that I could see the bright pink bougainvillea blooming near the entrance. It’d been one of the first things I’d noticed about the house, making Brady chuckle. “Baby, it’s a pretty bush, but we need to make sure the house itself is decent,” he’d teased.

Our home was built in the thirties, and it had a vintage charm that we’d both loved. It was a Spanish-style house with white stucco exterior and red clay tiles for the roof. It had a gated entrance with a nice-size front and backyard for the city. Inside, there was original, brightly colored tile throughout, and an open, airy floor plan.

It also had a pool out back, which was lovely for hot summer days. Palm trees bordered our backyard, along with loads of huge succulents that soaked up the desert sunshine.

Right now, though, I was surprised to see only one light on inside the house. I wondered whether Brady was outside in the pool tonight. I’d wanted to surprise him by getting naked and sliding into bed, but if he was already wet and possibly naked outside ... I’d take it.

I went through the house, turned on a hall light, and then went out back. To my surprise, Brady wasn’t in the pool.

That was when a light near the edge of our backyard caught my gaze. As I went to inspect it, I realized it was coming from the two large oak trees—and it was coming from inside what looked like a tree house.

A tree house? That hadn’t been there three hours ago and definitely hadn’t been there when we’d bought the house. How had Brady managed to get a tree house up there this evening?

“Brady?” I called. I yelled his name a second time.

I laughed in surprise when his head popped out of the side window. “Grace! Come on up!”

I climbed the ladder, grabbing Brady’s hand as he helped me inside.

My jaw dropped when I saw that he’d already furnished it inside. Granted, it was tiny, so it could fit only a few things, but I was shocked to see a working wine fridge with two comfy seats and a small table. He’d lit a bunch of candles, adding to the romantic ambiance.

“You even had this thing wired?” I shook my head. “How did you manage this?”

Brady looked like a kid in a candy store. “Oh, I’ve been planning this for weeks. I was just waiting for you to be gone long enough to get everything installed. But there’s no wiring in here. The fridge is battery-powered, believe it or not. I tried to get the contractors to put electricity in here, but they told me that wouldn’t be up to code or something.”

“An extension cord running from the back of our house might be a little gauche,” I said with a giggle. I looked around more closely. “This looks just like the tree house at the Vegas house.”

“I know. I did that on purpose.” He pointed at a notebook on the table. “I even got you a fresh journal. I know you liked to write in the tree house back home.”

“Oh, good. I needed a new notebook to write all my complaints about my terrible, evil boyfriend.” I grinned. “How he’s so nice to me, and builds me a tree house, and gives me orgasms every single night—”

Brady growled and pulled me into his arms. “You’re damn right. I’m a terrible boyfriend. You wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“No way in hell.”

He kissed me until I saw stars. I was half tempted to test out one of the chairs for sturdiness, but Brady stopped before things got too heated. To my surprise, he almost seemed nervous. He gestured for me to sit down like he needed to give me bad news.

Now I was nervous. Had something happened? Was he having second thoughts about moving in together? Had I teased him too hard about burning dinner last night?

“Grace,” he said, his voice low, his expression serious. “I wanted to tell you how much I love you and admire you. And how happy I am we’re on this journey called life together.”

Brady leaned forward, taking my hand. “I can’t believe you’re crazy enough to be with me, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. You’re an amazing human being. Kind, thoughtful, smart, gorgeous—”

I let out a laugh. “Brady, now you’re making me blush.”

“I meant every word.” He let go of my hand and fumbled with something in his pocket. Then to my shock, he went down on one knee and opened a ring box, a diamond glittering in the candlelight.

“Grace Elizabeth Dallas,” he intoned, “will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?”

I was so stunned that I didn’t say anything for a long moment. When Brady looked like he was about to burst, I finally yelled, “Yes! Of course I’ll marry you.”

Brady sighed. “Damn, you were making me sweat there.”

“I’m sorry. I just didn’t expect this.” I realized I was shaking, and I could feel tears on my cheeks. When Brady put the ring on my finger, I started crying harder.

“I love you so much,” I said, throwing my arms around him.

He kissed me, pulling me onto the floor of the tree house. Then we were laughing like idiots because there wasn’t remotely enough room in here for us to have our usual fun.

“Come on,” Brady said with a wicked smile. “Let’s go inside, and I’ll show you just how much I really love you.”

THE END

Guess who also has a story? Mac and Elodie!

Read T he Player’s Club Now!

The Player’s Club by Fallon Greer

It was supposed to be a simple assignment: stake out the golden boy hockey player Cole “Mac” Mackenzie as he exited the arena after a Los Angeles Blades game.

Follow him.

Get dirt on his personal life—something salacious to please the money-hungry gossip rag I worked for.

But I missed the moment Mac left the building. Or so I thought…

Twenty minutes later, I saw actual Mac exit after the media left. Apparently, he’d used a decoy to throw off the press—waiting until everyone left to make his getaway in private.

I started following the real Mac, and got more than I bargained for.

He led me to a mystery building tucked away in the middle of the suburbs.

Turned out, he was going to… a private club.

A club that wasn’t for the faint of heart—as I’d soon find out after sneaking in.

I wasn’t expecting to connect with Mac inside. Nor did I anticipate him to invite me back as his personal guest.

What started as a simple assignment turned into something much more—my biggest fantasy I never knew I had.

This wasn’t about the tabloid story anymore. I lied to my boss, told him there was nothing to see.

Meanwhile, I kept returning to the club.

I was addicted to unraveling the mysteries of Mac’s world.

Addicted to the man who lit a fire inside me.

But—with my own secret—it was only a matter of time before I got burned.