Chapter 29 – Brianna
“Bri! I’m so glad you came!” Rhiannon Carpenter’s bright smile greets me the second I step through the front door of her home with Natasha.
I’ve only hung out with her a few times now, mostly girls’ nights with Natasha, Rhiannon’s sister Eden, her sister-in-law Aly, and Rosie Tremblay—but she’s always been welcoming and full of life. But tonight is my first game night with the group, and legend says these things get crazy.
“Come inside! Rosie made margaritas, Aly whipped up taquitos and cheese dip, and I made cupcakes.”
“Thanks for having me,” I say with a smile.
Rhiannon beams as I step into her house.
It’s just as beautiful as I remember from the last time that I was here cozy, but stylish, a reflection of her bubbly personality.
Her two toddlers, Piper and Abel, are chasing each other around the living room, their high-pitched giggles echoing through the space.
“Don’t worry, they’re going to sleep soon,” she says with a soft smile.
I smile at the kiddos as they run across the carpet and love how warm their home feels.
“Hey, Bri!” Rosie, Boone’s wife says, pulling me into a warm hug. “It’s good to see you here tonight. How’s everything going with the Mayhem?”
“It’s going well. We’ve got another home game this weekend and the team is looking strong. I feel like the players and staff are starting to accept me more as a part of the crew and the sport’s growing on me too.”
She nods knowingly. “The hockey world has a way of doing that. How are the players? I hope they’re being respectful and not hitting on you.” She rolls her eyes. “Have you worked with Penn yet? God, that guy can be so annoying.”
I open my mouth to answer, but before I can, the air changes. Thickens. I don’t have to turn around to know he’s close, listening and watching me with those piercing hazel eyes.
My eyes drift over Rosie’s shoulder, spotting where Seth is casually leaning against the kitchen doorway watching us.
He looks freshly showered, his dark blond hair is still damp, a tousled mess that I adore because he’s never cared about styling it or trying to impress anyone.
He’s just…him. Completely and unapologetically himself.
A massive, goal tender of a player with a grumpy frown on his face and a soft spot for his daughter and me.
He’s wearing a pair of Mayhem warm-up shorts and a cut-off tank top with the Mayhem logo stretched across his broad chest. His sculpted abs and strong arms are on full display and have my mouth watering.
I never thought much about arms until I met Seth but now, I’m convinced I can’t live without his wrapped around me.
Rosie follows my gaze, her head turning just in time to catch me practically drooling.
“Oh,” she murmurs softly, her lips curling into a knowing smile.
I don’t even attempt to deny what I’m doing. “Yeah.”
I've wanted him for so long it physically hurts.
After I talked to my dad, I emailed HR just to get some information and cover us both.
Kept it vague. Something like how do workplace relationships work here?
They replied within the hour. Both of us would need to submit a formal notification and sign a consensual relationship agreement.
That's it. Totally simple and pain free.
Except the final paperwork requires a sign-off from the team owner. My dad. Who has spoken to me exactly once in twenty-seven years and now seems interested in building a relationship with me. Something that I’ve also wanted for years.
Her expression softens, and her tone shifts from teasing to something gentler.
“The way Seth’s looking at you and the way you’re looking at him tells me everything I need to know.
Just… be careful, okay? I don’t know your whole situation, but I have a dad who’s pretty controlling and possessive, too.
It took him a while to warm up to Boone and me but eventually he came around. ”
“My dad and I are having lunch together for the first time… ever, this week.”
Her eyes widen, and I see the apology cross her face. “Oh, Bri, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay. You didn’t know. To be honest, I’m not sure what will happen from there. I’m still trying to figure out if he wants to have a relationship with me. And if I want that, too.”
Working for my dad’s professional team means most people assume that we’ve had many long conversations about where I want to take my career and I chose hockey.
That the job I took was because my dad wanted me close and we’re a family.
That, or they think that I’m some nepo baby who isn’t qualified for the role and got handed it anyway.
I haven’t accepted a dime of his money except what he paid for my last semester of tuition and even that I know is more than I probably deserve.
The truth is there are multiple reasons why we should probably continue to keep this private. Sawyer is one, but the potential of a new relationship with my dad is another.
“I’m aware of how this might affect Seth’s career if my dad found out. We’re taking things slow right now.” That’s what I keep telling everyone. I’m not sure I believe it anymore.
When we met, it was innocent. We didn’t know. But now we do and we can’t go back. And Seth’s asked me on a date. He cooked lasagna for me. And that means something. I don’t want to pretend that it doesn’t. I don’t want to lie to the people that we love.
“Seth’s been through a lot. He’s an amazing dad to Sawyer, and you’ve been so good for him. I’ve heard him talk about the way you and Sawyer have bonded. Don’t let anything come between what you want if you think you’re ready for him.”
If I’m ready for him? Those words hang in the air, echoing in my mind. Am I ready? I think I am. A stepmom to Sawyer? Loving Seth? That’s easy. Easier than I ever expected it to be. But staying permanently in Brookhaven and working for my father’s team? That’s the real question.
This was meant to be a steppingstone, a huge favor, yes, and one I’ll always be grateful for, but New York was never supposed to be permanent. And if New York isn’t permanent… does that mean Sawyer and Seth aren’t either?
The thought hits low, a slow drop in my stomach. Because I know exactly what it feels like to have a dad who wasn’t there. To lose a parent. To live with that hollow ache settling into your bones and never leaving no matter how many birthdays or holidays go by. And Sawyer’s already lost two.
If I step into her life as her father’s girlfriend, if I continue to show up for her the way I know I want to, what happens if I leave?
I’ll be just another disappointment.
“Okay, everyone!” Rhiannon’s cheerful voice snaps me out of my spiraling thoughts as she claps her hands together, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “It’s time to start game night! Come into the living room!”
The conversation with Rosie fades as I follow the crowd, margarita glass gripped firmly in hand.
I move toward Seth like a magnet, close but not too close, and that nagging thought creeps back into my mind.
Is it obvious that something’s happening between Seth and me?
Has he talked to Boone? Rosie didn’t seem to know until she looked at us.
“Okay. So, tonight’s game is sexy Simon says,” Rhiannon says with a wide smile when we get into the room.
I look up just in time to see Rhiannon grinning like a mischievous devil while her older brother Gabriel lets out an exaggerated groan. Her sister Eden is smiling and cheering, and I get the impression that she goes along with whatever Rhiannon comes up with daily.
The room is packed tonight—the Carpenters and the Tremblays, all crammed into Rhiannon and Cain Prescott’s cozy living room.
Rhiannon and Cain.
Gabriel and Aly.
Boone and Rosie.
Eden and her boyfriend, Dexter.
And then…
Seth and me.
My stomach twists because it feels a lot like a setup. Like everyone’s waiting for Seth and me to admit what’s going on between us.
“So how it works is…” Rhiannon begins, her grin growing as she explains. “It’s guys versus girls. The guys will give the prompts, and the girls will have to act it out. Then we’ll swap. Make sense?”
We all nod, my mind already racing through what kind of prompts this game is going to involve.
“Don’t worry, you’ll catch on quickly,” Rosie says with a wink, nudging me with her shoulder. “I can’t wait to see Seth squirm.”
“Okay!” Rhiannon claps her hands again, bouncing on her toes. “Guys get the prompts first. Each of you come up and take a seat, and your partners face you.”
Partners. Right. Because everyone here is already partnered up. Either married, engaged, or in a very public relationship. Except for Seth and me. I was right. This is a public confession.
Seth doesn’t hesitate. He takes the seat in front of me easily, his broad frame settling into the worn armchair like he belongs there, completely at ease. And if he’s embarrassed even a little to admit what we’ve been doing behind closed doors, he doesn’t show it.
He’s smiling, which is a rarity for him and it’s an easy and comfortable one. Like he’s not just okay with whatever’s going on between us—he’s proud of it. And then, as if he’s done this a thousand times, Seth pats his lap.
Pats. His. Lap. Like he’s asking me to sit on it
I laugh, and there it is—that rush. The one that comes with falling, that dizzy, heart-in-your-throat feeling that marks falling in love.
It's wild and new and nothing like anything I had with my ex.
I thought I'd felt this before. Maybe I did, briefly, but it burned out so fast I can't be sure it was ever real.
This doesn't feel like it's going anywhere.
This feels like a beginning that intends to stay.
And he's claiming me, in front of the people who matter most to both of us.