Page 41 of The Triple Play

The sound of her laughter carried down the phone. “Colton, I just saw you yesterday.”

“Heaven forbid I get to see you twice in forty-eight hours.”

“That’s not—shit, I?—”

“I’m just teasing, Annie,” I chuckled. “Seriously, though. I want to see you. Are you free?”

“Well, Iwassupposed to be working at Smokey’s tonight, but Gab swapped the shifts around last minute so… yeah, I’m free,” she said, the words a little hesitant, like she was nervous.

Gab swapped the shifts around.I glanced at Xavi, watching him like a hawk. He must’ve called his dad earlier. “How wildly convenient that your shift got moved,” I said, making sure to repeat what she’d said so he knew exactly what I was talking about.

Xavi shrugged.

“Come over,” I added. “We can hang out, have a drink. I can send you the address.”

There was a slight pause before she spoke again. “Just you, or?—”

“Do you like pizza?” I asked, cutting her off before she could finish that question. I didn’t want to tell her it was all of us — that wasn’t the plan. I didn’t want her to worry about being around all three of us at the same time right now, didn’t want that to hold her back from showing up. “I’m fucking starving and I’ve been craving it.”

“Aren’t hockey players supposed to, I don’t know, eat well?”

“Some do,” I chuckled. “I’ve never really had a problem eating whatever the hell I want. Don’t tell me you’re a cheese-only kind of girl to go along with your plain ol’ rum and coke.”

“I’m more of an everything-but-anchovies kind of person.” I could hear the grin in her voice. “And how dare you say that about rum and coke. It’s a staple.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.” I tapped my fingers on the countertop, trying to keep myself from smiling like an idiot. “Come over. Seriously. I promise not to try to give you alcohol poisoning this time.”

She hummed thoughtfully, dragging it out, toying with me. “Hmm… all right. Fine. I’ll head over in, like, thirty.”

I pushed off the counter, fisting the air silently in victory. “Sounds good, sweetheart. The gate code is four-six-two-five-three-nine.”

“I’m absolutely going to forget that.”

“I’ll text it with the address, then. See you soon.”

We hung up and I set the phone down, letting out a steady stream of air through a small hole between my lips.

“Success?” Cole asked hesitantly.

I smirked. “Obviously.”

————

The doorbell chimed and I was up and over the back of the couch before it could finish ringing out. Xavi tensed at the kitchen island, almost like he was preparing to get it himself, but we’d made a decision — I’d get the door. I’d invited her, I’d intentionally left out that the boys would be here and they at least wouldn’t be visible from the front door, not with the entrance hall blocking the space. I could charm her into staying if she freaked out a little.

I could see her outline through the frosted glass of the matte black door, and already, my heart was in my damn throat. Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I pulled it open, Annie’s cheerful grin greeting me before it immediately turned into a startled blink as the sound of broken glass rang out from somewhere behind me.

God dammit.

The plan was already breaking down. They were supposed to bequietuntil I could get her inside.

“Hi,” I said, trying my absolute hardest to ignore whatever chaos was erupting behind me.

But Xavi’s quiet muttering still weaved through the entrance hall, his voice carrying even though he was out of sight. “Shit, can you grab the broom?”

I wanted to bash my head against the door.

“Hi,” Annie said hesitantly, her gaze glancing behind me before locking back on mine.

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