“Wow. I didn’t realize. How do you recover so quick?”

“We train for it. Ice baths and bikes after games to release the lactic acid to keep us from getting sore. Saunas, which is why I have one installed in my bathroom, and a lot of stretching. Yoga. Eating as healthy as possible. That kind of thing. And then we hope like hell we don’t get injured badly enough we have to miss more than a couple of games, if any at all.”

“And the most important part of that is nutrition,” Heather piped up, shoving a plate with four crepes on it almost into my gut before I grabbed it from her.

“Sit. Eat. Both of you. And then we’ll get online and search for all your wedding pics and learn what Lincoln has to say.”

“Oh yay,” I muttered.

Exactly how I wanted to start my day with my new wife.

Seventeen

Emmersyn

The crepes were probably delicious because everything Heather cooked was, but since she’d tossed down the gauntlet right before dishing out our breakfast, I didn’t say a thing.

Last night, reasons for getting married aside, was an absolute blast. There was dancing, drinking. I laughed with Gabby and Holly almost constantly. His friends were wonderful.

Gabby knocked my socks off with a completely decorated backyard patio. Lights strung. A dance floor brought in with a DJ who’d had so much energy, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was still awake and dancing.

We’d come home, accompanied by Heather and after she and I changed out of our dresses and washed off our makeup, I was beat and told her we’d hang out more today. Then I collapsed into my bed, the night of my wedding—alone.

And then I’d cried.

Because I’d thought, hoped, that kiss with Kane had meant something, but I was a fool to think so.

He’d promised me he’d never love me, and I needed to remember that.

The last thing I needed was another broken heart by being a fool to fall for someone who’d made it very clear he was willing to be my friend, but that was as far as it would go.

Even if temptation or curiosity or maybe even attraction had him acting out of character.

I shoveled a bite of potatoes into my mouth, ignoring Heather cleaning up, even after cooking.

“Did you bring my phone?” I asked her.

“It’s off. Might need to be charged.” She glanced at me over her shoulder, her straight, jet-black hair that matched Kane’s pulled up and clipped into a twist at the back of her head. “And at this point, your voice mail could be full.”

“Awesome.” I slid off the stool and scraped my remaining food into the trash.

Kane seemed to have no problems eating, shoveling food into his mouth like he wasn’t going to eat for another week. “Probably a good call. Not sure I need to hear the shit he has to say again.” He pointed his fork at me. “And maybe you should let us listen first, especially if news of last night has spread.”