It was excruciatingly difficult to say goodbye to Aria.

After our shower, I couldn't keep my hands off of her, and she couldn't seem to do the same. I made it to Brian's hotel room with seconds to spare considering we have to leave for our plane in twenty minutes, and judging by the expression on his face when he opens the door, he's not too pleased, either.

Brian jerks his chin behind him into the suite. "Come in," he says.

Brushing past him, I stride for the sitting area and tap my fingers nervously on the leather, unsure of whether or not I should sit for this conversation. Brian nods for me to do so, but the chair is too small for my large frame. My legs are squished between the chair and the coffee table, but I suck it up rather than be difficult and ask to switch seats.

"I'd prefer not to waste both of our times and cut straight to it." He sits across from me, leaning back to cross one ankle over the other. "I need to know what's going on between you and Aria."

Well, glad to know my suspicions were correct.

"What about me and Aria?"

"Cut the bullshit, Holden. Rumors are circulating. The team knows, but what I need to  know is what exactly your intentions are with her." He eyes me with distaste, which has me gritting my teeth in response. He's never been my biggest fan, despite my best efforts. It could be because of the media capturing me with a different girl every weekend, which didn't exactly bring the team the best reputation, or it could be because he believes I got drafted simply due to my genetics and who my father is. Brian's never actually said that, but I can tell he doesn't think highly of me, especially after the last incident with the previous photographer.

"There's nothing to know," I reply cautiously. Aria's job is riding on this, so if I can make him think the rumors are false, I'm going to.

"See, that's what I was hoping you wouldn't say." Leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees, I find myself gulping. "Aria is like a third daughter to me. Our families have known each other for years. She isn't someone to toy around with, and she certainly isn't another flavor of the week. That girl has been through far too much to—" He inhales deeply, shaking his head as if to stop himself. "You could choose anyone else on this team and I wouldn't bat an eye, but her? She's off limits to you, Holden. I'm not going to risk her getting hurt again. Not when her parents are trusting me with her safety."

What the fuck happened?

Clearly, Brian seems to be aware of Aria's past. If only I could just understand then maybe I'd see things more clearly, but Brian isn't her father. He may be the owner of the team, but he can't dictate who I choose to spend my time with.

"With all due respect, sir, Aria isn't a flavor of the week for me. If there were something going on between us, I think I'd understand just how rare and incredible she is. I wouldn't mess something like that up with her. I appreciate your concern for her, and I'm sure she would too, but we're just friends. Nothing more."

He scoffs. "You're a pretty liar. I'll give you that. Matter of fact, I'll humor you and give you the benefit of the doubt. However, if things develop between the both of you and you wind up breaking her heart? I have no problem pulling the clause out for fraternization in your contract and requesting a trade."

Is he saying he wouldn't pull that clause out on me if we were happily in a relationship? Would he be willing to let it slide because it's Aria I'm dating? I'm tempted to ask, but there's a tiny vein bulging above his eyebrow, which I'm taking as my cue that this conversation is over.

"Understood," I say, rising from the seat and grateful for the reprieve it gives my legs. Brian is one of the few people I've craved to make a good impression on after joining this team, and I have yet to do it. The other guys seem to get along well with him and have good banter, inside jokes, etc, but I'm always the odd guy out.

All I can hope for is that time will change that.

***

Back on the plane, I'm getting things set up for the flight home, smiling the entire time while doing so. Sure, the conversation with Brian was a bummer, but I'm not going to break Aria's heart, so he won't pull that clause out of the contract. I'm going to marry this girl if it's the last thing I do.

Which is why I always memorize everything about her. I know she likes the window seat, and pillows aren't necessary anymore since she'd prefer to sleep on my chest. I packed a warm and fuzzy blanket that's ready and waiting on the passenger seat beside me, along with a pair of wireless headphones I purchased for her since she was jealous of mine on the way here. They're a soft pink, her favorite color.

It seems the rest of the boys had a party weekend because half of them are already passed out beside me. Matti is slumped over across the aisle against the window seat, snoring loudly, and Cal seems agitated by the snoring, his eyes closed and arms crossed over his chest beside him.

Finally, Aria enters the plane looking beautiful as ever. In a pair of tight-fitting yoga pants and a tank top, she might as well be wearing lingerie the way it sends a rush of lust through my body. Her hair is piled in a bun, her face makeup free, and fuck. She's stunning.

Her eyes find mine, a smile lighting up her face. She seems well rested after getting a solid eight hours of sleep with me nightmare free. The orgasm helped too, I'm assuming. "Hi," she says.

I rise from the aisle, taking her carryon bag from her to stash it overhead. There's a moment when our eyes lock, a moment when I'm not sure if she wants me to kiss her, but she slides into her seat instead, pausing when she sees the items laid out for her. "Did you seriously buy me a pair of headphones?"

"They're the ones you wanted, right?"

"I mean, yes, they're gorgeous, I just... This is too much, Connor. You didn't have to do that."

"It's not too much," I reply as I buckle my seatbelt. "They'll help you sleep at night when I can't be with you. Drown out the noise."

"And this?" She holds up one of my old high school sweatshirts I've left for her.

"It doesn't fit. Figured it'd look much better on you."

I remember her face paling when she realized she was wearing my jersey all those weeks ago, but that was back when she couldn't stand me. We've come a long way since then, right?

"I'm wearing it right now," she gushes.

I help her out by removing the sling on her arm first before she shoves it over her head. The red material comes past her thighs, and her arms are swimming in it, but the way my heart jumps at the sight of her in my clothing is a bit ridiculous. It actually flutters when she lifts the sleeve up to smell it. "It's comfy."

"I'm glad." I watch her get situated, helping her buckle her seatbelt while she adjusts the headphones onto her head and gets her playlist ready.  "It looks good on you."

"Huh?" She lifts one side of the headphones.

"I said my sweatshirt looks good on you."

Her lips tilt up into a grin. "You know what else looks good on me?"

"Hm?"

Nothing could have prepared me for when she leans over and softly presses her lips to mine. This is the first kiss she's initiated all on her own, and damn it if it doesn't make my chest swell with pride. "You," she whispers.

This.

This is exactly why Brian was wrong about our conversation. I don't know what happened in Aria's past, but with me, she's coming out of her shell more and more each day. Doesn't he realize that? Whether he wants to admit it or not, I'm good for her, and she's good for me. I'll prove that to him eventually, just as I'll prove to Aria that we're a package deal. She's it for me, and in time, she'll realize I'm it for her too.

I glance down to where her chest is pressed against mine, giving her a swift kiss on the forehead. "Trust me, you look good on me too, baby."

Author's Note:

I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.

The relationship development is just soooo cute to me.

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