Tough Love

Too late, because Armie had already removed them and was now sitting straighter. To the men, he said, “Stack wanted me to look over her backyard, make sure the dogs couldn’t get out. She needs some shut-eye before he gets here.”

They all grinned, and ribald comments circulated the room.

“She won’t get any after he’s here, that’s for sure.”

“Oh, she’ll get some, all right.”

“Rested women are better than the comatose kind any day.”

Feeling like an official member of the pack, Vanity smiled at each of them. Being Yvette’s best friend, she’d already been accepted by them. But now, because they knew she and Stack had hooked up, they’d decided she was part of the inner circle.

And damned if that didn’t get her teary-eyed, a sure sign of her true exhaustion.

For the longest time she’d wanted a family. A real family who was there for you when you needed it, who dropped in unexpectedly, who teased and supported and...included.

Here, in Warfield, Ohio, well away from her beloved California beaches, it felt like home.

When she sniffled, the men froze into awkward, helpless lumps of muscle. They watched her as if expecting her to crack, or maybe sob. Wariness kept them wide-eyed and poised to act.

She laughed around her tears. “You guys are pretty terrific, you know that, right?”

Armie was the first to relax. Shoulders dropping, he said to Leese, “Happy tears,” in this nauseating, indulgent man-to-man tone that conveyed she was a little woman and fragile, and expressing her happiness in such a way was to be expected.

Leese said only, “Ah, right.”

Cautiously staring at her, Miles asked, “You’re okay now?”

Okay, happy, content.

Touched by their concern.

But telling them all that would probably turn them mute again. Smothering another yawn, she nodded. “I’m fine.”

“Know what?” Brand nodded at her TV. “We could watch the game here.”

Before she could weigh in on that one way or the other, the guys did.

“Yeah,” Armie said. “The dogs are attached to Mutt and Jeff.”

Brand said, “Ha ha,” and cuddled a happy Maggie closer. She licked his chin, making Armie fake-gag.

Miles tried to put Norwood down, but the dog wasn’t having it. “I’m covered in fur,” he complained to Norwood. But without a single sign of remorse, the dog stuck his nose in Miles’s neck and sighed.

“You’re turning them into lapdogs.”

“They turned long before we got here,” Brand insisted. Then to Maggie, his voice high-pitched, he said, “Didn’t you, baby? Yes, you did. Yes, that’s a good girl,” making the dog’s tail go nuts.

Leese pulled Vanity from her seat. “Go to bed. We’ll visit with the dogs.”

Keys in hand, Armie said, “I’ll go grab some snacks.” He tipped his chin at Vanity. “Anything you need while I’m out?”

Laughter got the best of her. And once she started, she couldn’t stop. They were all so intrusive and hilarious and...wonderful. She fell against Leese, leaving him no choice but to hold her up.

“She’s hysterical,” Brand accused.

Armie joined Leese, and together they walked her down the hall, peeking into each room until they finally found her bed.

Leese pried her loose. “Go,” he told her. “Sleep.”

“We’ll try to keep it down,” Armie promised.

With one last chuckle, she hugged Leese and even kissed his cheek. Armie had his brows up over that until she grabbed him next. He hugged her off her feet in return.

“This is so nice of you guys.”

“Sleep well,” Leese said.

“And Vee?” Armie winked at her. “We promise to clear out once Stack gets here.”

She winked back. “Appreciate that. Thanks.”

They were both speechless as she closed the door. Had they expected her to be subtle about her attraction for Stack? Not likely. She cared for Stack too much, and was far too exhausted to be subtle.

In one long stride she reached the bed, collapsed facedown across it, and immediately fell asleep.

With a smile on her face.

* * *

STACK FINISHED SPARRING with Denver, but as he stepped toward the end of the mats, Havoc called him over.

“You okay for a few more minutes?”

He was bone tired and covered in sweat. But that was nothing new. To be a top contender in the sport, he had to be able to deal with it—and he could. Depending on where you fought, the altitude or heat could factor in. Minor injuries often sidelined men who didn’t have enough stamina and heart to push through.