Before We Came by Sloane St. James

Birdie
Her funeral unraveled decades of secrets hidden from me—horrible secrets. This rabbit hole I’ve fallen down has revealed my past is much more sinister than I could have imagined. Everything I thought I knew has been a lie and now there’s only one place for me to turn: back to the people who have been searching for me all these years.
One of those people is my newfound brother’s best friend: Lonan Burke, star defenseman for the Minnesota Lakes. His dirty talk and praise offer an easy escape as I shift into my new life. I’m ready to start anew with the ones who love me, but I’m not so sure I can settle down when I’ve just been set free.

Lonan
She’s back. We were kids the last time I saw her, but my innocent crush from childhood is full-grown now. And it’s not so innocent anymore. She’s a breath of fresh air from the series of one-night stands since being drafted into the NHL. I’ve only got one shot with her, and I’m not taking it for granted. I may give her the passion she’s been craving, but she’s the intimacy I’ve waited for my whole life.
When her story hits the media, she needs a place to hide. I offer her sanctuary in my penthouse. For the first time, this frigid condo feels like a home, and she’s made me believe the future I’ve always wanted is within reach. For now, I’m willing to hold her hand during the day and pin them down at night. But I want more.