Page 185 of Well That Happened

But still—I have to ask.

“How is this going to work?” My voice wobbles. “You’re in Michigan. I’m here. You’ve got hockey and lives. And I—I left.”

Grayson’s expression softens. “We’ll figure it out.”

“But what about—”

“Hockey?” Hunter steps in, his voice low and sure. “You really think I’d be happy if all I had was hockey but not you? I’d be gutted, baby.”

Caleb nods. “This isn’t a game we’re trying to win. It’s a life we want to build—with you.”

My eyes blur again.

“Trust us, okay?” Grayson says. “Just… let us try.”

I blink back more tears.

They’re here.

They came for me.

And somehow, impossibly—I believe them.

Grayson steps in first. His gaze never wavers, steady as a heartbeat. He reaches out and takes my hand, holding it like it’s something sacred.

“I love you, Rilee,” he says, voice quiet but certain. “And I’m not going to pretend I don’t just because it’s complicated.”

Then he kisses the inside of my wrist—slow, reverent—like he’s promising something.

Next is Caleb, who’s already smiling, already close. He brushes my hair back behind my ear, his dimples softening the chaos in my chest.

“I’m in love with you, Ri,” he says, then he kisses my forehead, then my lips, lingering just long enough to make my breath catch.

Hunter doesn’t move at first. His jaw’s tight. His hands in his pockets like he doesn’t know what to do with them.

But then he crosses the space between us and cups my face in both hands.

“I don’t say it easy,” he says gruffly. “But I mean it harder than anything I’ve ever said—I love you, Rilee. So fucking much. I tried not to. But I do.”

He kisses me—hard and fast—like if he waits another second, he might break.

And just like that, I’m crying again.

Because I love them.

God help me, I love all of them.

“I love you too,” I say, the words tumbling out. “I’m so sorry. For leaving. For everything.”

Hunter pulls me into a hug, his arms strong and comforting. Caleb and Grayson join, enveloping me in warmth and love.

We pull back slightly, and I look at each of them.

“I have some explaining to do,” I say, wiping my tears. “First, I’m sorry I ran…”

“We’re here to listen,” Grayson says softly.

Just then, the front door swings open and Jules strolls in, balancing a smoothie, keys, and what looks like a bag of kale.

---