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“Just wait until next year when Ryker joins him.”

“What are we going to do with an empty house?” Garrett asks, sounding genuinely concerned.

“Oh, I don’t know. I’ve got a few ideas.”

“Oh yeah?” he teases, finally getting with the program.

“Yep. It’s about time I got you where you belong,” I taunt.

“That’s not true; I was on my knees for you in the shower this morning.”

I bark a laugh while memories of that event make my cock harden even more.

“That you were,” I mutter, dropping my lips to his throat. “There can certainly be more of that, but I was thinking it’s been a while since we had some proper alone time.”

“Ah, I see where you’re going.” Garrett’s breathing gets heavier as he grips the sides of my shirt, holding me closer.

“Yeah, it’s time I took you down to my studio, stripped you naked, and stared at you for hours.”

Garrett’s chest heaves. “You want to draw me like one of your French girls.”

“Nah, fuck the French girls. I only want to draw my husband. My muse. My everything.”

And there, in the darkness of the closet, I kiss him until he’s breathless, just like it’s that first time all over again.

Sutton

“Is this really necessary?” I ask, heavy footsteps following me as I walk past the ascending numbers beside every door we pass, searching for the one I get to call mine.

“Yes,” Dad states, his voice leaving little space to argue.

“We don’t all have to come do this, though.”

A deep chuckle comes from behind me, and I know it belongs to one of my best friends.

As nervous as I am about this move, knowing that I’ve got my friends with me makes it a little easier.

I could have chosen a college closer to home. I had offers. But none of their programs are as good as Dartford.

Plus, it’s where Dad went to college, and I kinda like the idea of following in his footsteps. And if that continues and I defy all the odds and get drafted into the NHL…well, even better.

I know why Huxley is laughing, but I don’t appreciate his amusement right now.

While he might also be moving halfway across the country, Cooper and Garrett are way less protective of him than Dad is of me.

I want to say it’s because I’m a girl, but Dad learned long ago that I don’t subscribe to that bullshit. Yeah, so what I’ve got a vagina between my legs? It doesn’t make me any less capable than Huxley or Brooks, who are also moving into their dorms today. I don’t see everyone trudging to their dorm rooms to make sure they settle in okay.

Fine. Okay. We’re all totally going to Huxley’s next. But that’s beside the point. It’s still not necessary.

I’ve spent weeks building up to this moment. Preparing myself to fly the nest and have Mom and Dad leave me here before heading back to LA.

I thought I was ready…

Now I’m here? Yeah, the thought of them leaving me is as terrifying as it is exhilarating.

Who exactly thought I was qualified to be left alone to look after myself like an adult?

“Sutton,” Huxley calls as I continue marching down the hallway, lost in my thoughts. “Isn’t this you?”