Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 131271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Everyone else was FaceTiming their girlfriends and wives between bites of steak. I got a few texts from Riley, sweet and teasing, but it’s not the same as having her here. She’s with Jacob and Hayes tonight, and as much as I try not to feel jealous, there’s a sharp pang in my chest anyway.
I lean back in the armchair of my hotel room, scrolling aimlessly through my phone. Social media’s a minefield of hearts, flowers, and couples smiling like they’ve won the lottery of love. It’s not jealousy. I’ve got everything I could ever want waiting for me back home. But being away from them on a day like this? It’s a reminder that I’m missing the little moments. As I scroll, I debate whether to go for a late-night skate when a knock at the door makes me pause. It can’t be room service because I didn’t order anything, and the place is clean enough.
I shuffle to the door, tugging my hoodie tighter against the chill of the air conditioner. When I open it, the last thing I expect to see is Hayes holding two bags of takeout, Jacob balancing a cake box, and Riley—my beautiful Riley—beaming up at me like sunshine.
“What the—” My brain short-circuits as I stare at them. “What are you guys doing here?”
“Happy Valentine’s Day.” Riley steps forward and wraps her arms around my neck before I have a chance to blink.
The smell of her shampoo and her body's warmth envelope me. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more relieved in my life. I clutch her to me like a kid who found his lost teddy bear on the floor at the mall, breathing her in, kissing her forehead, her cheek, her lips. Jesus. This is the best surprise ever.
“We brought you dinner,” Jacob says, pushing past us into the room like he owns the place.
Hayes follows, setting the takeout on the desk with a smirk. “And dessert. You’re welcome.”
My hands stay on Riley’s waist as I try to process what’s happening. “You drove all the way here?”
“Of course,” she says, her smile softening. “You didn’t think we’d let you spend Valentine’s Day alone, did you?”
I glance at Jacob, who’s unpacking the takeout like it’s a mission-critical task, and Hayes, who’s leaning against the desk with his arms crossed, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
“You guys are unreal,” I say, shaking my head.
“Yeah, yeah,” Jacob mutters. “Save the gratitude for after you try the food. It’s not our usual burger place, so...”
“Hence why the fries for the road were so important,” Hayes counters, smirking. “It was a taste test, and they passed.”
Riley laughs, the sound light and sweet, and I can’t help but grin. My mood lifts instantly, the loneliness evaporating like ice under the heat of a power play spotlight.
“So,” Hayes says, straightening up and gesturing to the cake box. “We should probably talk about this.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Talk about what?”
“The cake,” Riley says, easing out of my arms and walking over to the desk. She opens the box with a flourish, revealing a masterpiece covered in frosting hearts.
And in each heart? A tiny printed picture of each of us.
“Are you kidding me?” I say, choking on a laugh.
“Go ahead,” Riley says, grinning. “Admire the artistry.”
I lean in, studying the cake. The pictures she’s chosen are totally representative of us. There’s me with a cocky smirk and finger guns, Jacob with his perpetual grumpy face, Hayes’ even expression, and Riley’s beaming perfection.
“This is insane,” I say, shaking my head. “Who came up with this?”
“Me,” Riley says proudly.
Jacob snorts. “Yeah, she spent hours making it. Be grateful.”
“Oh, I am grateful,” I say, grabbing a fork. “This is the best cake I’ve ever seen.”
“She insisted on taste testing the frosting, over and over and over,” Hayes says, shooting Riley a sultry expression. When she blushes, I get the impression that I missed out on something hot.
“Interesting,” I say. “I think I’m going to need to hear more about that part. I might also require a demonstration.”
“Don’t you want to eat your burger first?” she asks.
“Hell no. I’m all about getting a taste of the sweetness first.” I wiggle my eyebrows, staring at Riley’s thighs suggestively, and she laughs, swatting me on the chest like she doesn’t love it when I’m an incorrigible flirt.
Riley slices a piece of cake for me, and as I take the first bite, I can’t help groaning.
“Good?” she asks, her eyes sparkling.
“Amazing,” I say through a mouthful of cake.
Hayes grabs a fork and digs in, nodding his approval. Jacob avoids the parts with his face on, but doesn’t complain about the taste.
For the first time in weeks, I feel completely at ease.
Once the remains of the cake are safely stowed in the mini-fridge, my eyes linger on the takeout. “You gonna hog that all to yourself,” I say.