I take my coffee upstairs ready to wake my girl and enjoy the last moments before we head back. As I walk into Ginny’s room, her voice carries through the bathroom from Adam’s room. I glance in and see her legs hanging off the end of his bed and the bottoms of Adam’s feet.

“Are you going to be okay?” she asks him.

“Yeah, I just can’t believe it. They always seemed so solid. My whole life feels like a lie.”

“That’s a little dramatic.”

“But seriously, if they can’t work things out, what hope is there for anyone?”

“Oh, come on. You and Taryn are great. Me and Heath… it can work out.”

“You and Heath.” A deep, sarcastic laugh follows.

“Look, I know you’re all anti-love right now, but don’t rain on my parade. Heath is great.”

“Sure, of course he is, Ginny. My issue with you two was never about him being a bad guy—he’s not. Heath’s fun and always up for a good time, but I’ve seen him go through a lot of women. Some he hooked up with more than once, most he didn’t, but ultimately he moved on from all of them as easy as changing his underwear. I just don’t want to see you get hurt again.”

He's not wrong, but he’s missing the thing that makes it different now. Ginny.

“Relax, we’re good. Heath and I are...”

I’m holding my breath waiting for her to finish that sentence, but Adam lets out a long groan interrupting her.

“Oh, Jesus, you’re in love with him.”

“Stop it,” she says playfully. It sounds like she tosses a pillow at him as her light laughter trickles from the next room. “But since you’re being nosey, yes, I am. I love him, and I truly think what we have is special.”

My hand tips forward and coffee spills on my bare toes. Fuck. I place the mug on Ginny’s dresser, clean up the mess, and get dressed quickly. I manage to grab my stuff and head downstairs, heart in my throat, before either Ginny or Adam notices me.

33

GINNY

I walk out with the guys as they load up in Adam’s Jeep. My brother looks as hungover as he smells. He slides into the passenger seat, Rhett gets behind the wheel, and Maverick hops into the back.

I follow Heath to the other side.

“Let me know how he is?” I ask, motioning with my head to Adam.

“We’ll keep an eye on him,” he promises. “We’ve got practice this afternoon. Hopefully that’ll help.”

“If he doesn’t throw up all over the ice.”