Page 97 of Saddle Storm

She laughs and shrugs. “I fell for him and his kid. The rest works itself out.”

My gaze drifts past the glass windows and into the long hallway.

Silas and Chase appear first, cutting through the crowd like they’ve done this a hundred times—easy grins, hands lifting for quick autographs, a nod, a clap on the shoulder. They wave once, casually, before letting security step in.

Pepper flashes by, her tight ponytail bouncing as she escapes the chaos. Chase catches her hand without breaking stride, and the three of them angle toward us together.

My stomach buzzes when Silas steps through the door and his eyes sweep the space. When they find mine, it steals my breath. It’s the moment I’ve been waiting for since that last damn horn sounded.

The cheering in this dark, private space is different. Familiar as opposed to loud.

Silas is in front of Tessa and me. “Hello, Tess.”

“Yeah, I can take a hint—I’ll go find my husband. It was nice seein’ you again, Storm.” She gives me a wink and takes off.

I can’t help myself, I reach for him, my arms going around his shoulders like they belong there. His arms wrap around me, warm and fitting. Natural.

“Congratulations.”

He releases me, grinning slowly as he narrows his eyes at me. “You watch the game?”

I give it a beat before answering. “There was a game?”

His grin is wide now. Like I just gave him a better answer than he could’ve hoped for. He takes my hand and steps into my space.

Max is at my side. “Mom, we don’t have to leave yet, do we? The players all just got here.”

I smooth down his hair, ready to tell him it’s late and time to go, but someone cuts in.

“Course not,” Chase says, giving my kid a high five. “Max, right?”

Max’s jaw drops.

Chase winks at me. “They’re about to bring out the ice cream and then we’re going to swing by the gift shop, let the kids go a little nuts.”

It’s a school night. Is what I should say. But I don’t. “One scoop,” I warn.

Chase roars and grabs his hand and Jackson’s before Levi and Tessa could whisk him away.

Silas takes my hand. “Come with me? He’s safe with Chase and Pepper.”

I nod and tighten my grip.

Silas leads me down the hall.

“Where are we going?”

“I don’t know,” he breathes like we’re on some mission. Then stops midway through the empty hall and pins me against a wall. “You look damn good in my jersey, Bee. You do that for me?”

I shake my head, breathless. “No. I did it for them.”

“Who?”

“Everyone. When you’d look my way—everyone would know you’re looking at your girl.”

Pride settles across his features as he slides his fingers through my hair. “You’re my girl.” It’s barely a question. Almost a confirmation.

“Haven’t I always been?”