Page 94 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

“Message me in the morning?” I ask.

“Of course,” she agrees before we say our goodbyes and end the call.

Silence falls around me as the screen goes black. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt so cold and lonely in my own home before.

I’ve always done my best to ignore the holidays, but everything feels different this year.

It’s because you’ve met someone you really want to spend it with.

With a sigh, I push to my feet and force myself to relocate to my bedroom. Maybe wallowing in there will be better. At least I’ve got Sienna on my nightstand for company.

I wake to the sound of my apartment buzzer ringing over and over and over. And when it stops, the banging starts.

“What the fuck?” I groan, rolling over to look at the time. “Fuck.”

It’s late. Really fucking late.

I can’t remember the last time I slept this late.

The buzzing starts again and I throw the sheets off and get to my feet.

My reflection catches my eyes as I shuffle out of the room.

“Fuck it.”

Whoever has managed to get through whichever concierge is on shift and dares to make this much noise deserves to get my bed head and boxer-clad body.

The buzzing and banging continue to alternate until I finally get to the front door.

“What?” I bark, finding two sets of eyes staring back at me.

“At fucking last, man,” Rett barks, pushing his way inside without an invitation.

“We were starting to think you’d died in here or something,” Linc adds, also slipping past me.

“Uh…what the fuck are you doing?” I ask as they drop onto my couch and make themselves comfortable. Ideas start flickering through my mind.

She wouldn’t have…would she?

“Waiting for you to get dressed.” Irritation ripples through me.

“W-why?” I stutter, although I have my suspicions.

“‘Cuz we’re picking you up for Thanksgiving at Linc’s place,” Rett says as if it isn’t obvious.

“Uh…”

“No arguments. You’re coming. It’s done.”

“Do as you’re told, and we won’t bring up how you’ve been lying to us for years,” Linc adds, his eyes narrowing on mine.

My mouth opens to argue, but the second I realize I can’t, I shut it again.

“Fine,” I huff, spinning around to shower and dress.

But long before I get to my bedroom, my smile breaks free.

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