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I blink a few times in disbelief before they zero in on Aiden "They've won back-to-back Stanley Cups"

Aiden just stares at me blankly for a moment, then he lifts his chin in realization "Sorry The last few years I haven't been able to watch TV or sports But you knoas never into that stuff anyway"

This is true Regardless if he was in Haiti, Yeood old USA, he probably wouldn't have even known the Cold Fury had o championships

"Then why did you ask about what he makes?" I ask him

"Just don't want you to be taken advantage of, Josie Bug," he explains sood bank"

"Well, he makes h I have no clue what Reed et by, but that would not include knowledge of salaries Regardless, it's not important to me, because Reed isn't after my money

Still not sure what he's after, though, since I don't fall within his nor to roll with it for now

Chapter 17

Reed

I lock the Tahoe remotely and head toward the steps that lead up to ht, and as I jog up, I can hear peals of laughter co from her place A small smile forms on my lips, because this amuses me

Josie's hosting a little party at her place tonight for some medical peeps, and this makes me smile because it's so "anti-Josie" I've come to learn a lot about her over the last several weeks, and irl is somewhat of an introvert when it comes to crowds I first saw it at the Cold Fury party as I introduced her around If ere standing with a group of people, Josie was utterly quiet, choosing to listen to the conversation with rapt attention But if she was in more of a one-on-one situation, she could chatter up a storm with anyone

I've learned over the weeks that is how she leads her life By the way she talks about the patients she cares for, I see a genuine coet to hear about her disdain for less conversation or pack roups of friends

So for her to host a little get-togetherpast her boundaries, and that makes me happy Just like the way she's pushed past soether, I see her loosening up just a little h her actions I see her gently poking at the paraether

Friends with benefits It's still our motto, but only because the friendship started first It's holding strong, but Josie's exploring the benefits sideabout intimacy, and the reason it's so i with her

We're like two people stu and with a little bit of fear causing us to falter eventhe destination could be fucking fantastic, so we keep pulling each other along

This is so new to ht ht that because I always told uess fate has a funny way of grabbing you by the balls to lead you in another direction

Better yet, Josie invitedwith everyone

Best yet, she was disappointed when I had to decline, as along with several other tea Stephanie and Lucasthat disappointh to make me bail on Lucas, but Josie quickly wiped it off and followed it up with a hug as she said, "That's so sweet"

Life is fucking awesoht now, that's for sure

Once I get into e through e Stephanie fed us all copious a process, but that feels like it was hours ago I stare at the box of cold pizza and a container of General Tso's chicken, but before I cantext

I pull it out ofoutside Get your butt over here, Olson

Grinning that she was apparently watching for et home, I respond I'll come if you tell me you have food I'm starved

We do, she responds And lots of beer

Be there soon

While I don'te and pull an al it under my arm

When I step into Josie's house, I i freely There can't beroo up with round It's just a vibea party vibe for sure

My eyes focus on Josie as she stands in the kitchen She's leaning in toward a guy, stabbing her finger playfully into his chest, and I can hear her voice rise above all the others "The Cold Fury kicked your team's ass in the conference finals this past year and they'll do it all over again this season"

Holy shit out Cold Fury talk She's clearly a quick study, as I've spent several nights lying in bed answering her questions about the sport, which have included a recap of this past season and our road to the Stanley Cup She was obviously paying attention when I told her we met the New Jersey Wildcats in the conference finals, and that produces a feeling within me that I hadn't felt before with Josie

It's a warmth, a humility perhaps, that Josie is as invested in what I do as I am in what she does She's not been able to see me in action yet, but that doesn't e setsfire