Contents
Thirty-One | Anastasia
Overview
Cozy campfire intimacy between Anastasia and Nathan shatters when a brawl erupts inside. Nathan pins a bloodied Aaron, while teammates break up multiple fights and the house is trashed. Henry admits hitting Aaron for slandering Anastasia. Shaken, Anastasia tends injuries, learns Aaron came to provoke trouble, and leaves with Nathan as Sabrina suggests reevaluating living with Aaron.
Summary
Anastasia dozes by a backyard campfire, curled on Nathan’s lap as the hockey guys relax and joke. The warmth and safety she feels with the team deepen as Nathan fusses over her comfort.
Shouting from the house jolts everyone. Nathan springs up, orders Anastasia to stay outside, and rushes in. Ignoring his warning, she follows the chaos inside to find multiple fights: Kris and Joe restrain Bobby, Mattie and JJ pull Henry off another guy, and Nathan pins Aaron to a wall by the throat, both men bloodied.
Once the party is cleared out, Robbie explodes about the risk of cops. Anastasia, shaken and confused, demands answers while cleaning Nathan’s cuts. Nathan insists he tried to stop the fight, but admits Aaron was drunk and mouthing off. The house is wrecked, and tensions flare as Nathan scolds Anastasia for coming inside.
Henry flatly confesses he hit Aaron and refuses to apologize, saying Aaron has been saying vile things about Anastasia and came to start trouble. JJ backs Henry’s stance, while Robbie objects to the fighting. No one repeats Aaron’s comments, frustrating Anastasia.
Sabrina calmly treats injuries and, later, suggests Anastasia consider relocating after Colorado because Aaron is “snakey.” With the night’s adrenaline fading, Nathan brings water, and firmly guides Anastasia upstairs, prioritizing privacy and safety over further confrontation.
Who Appears
- AnastasiaNarrator; naps on Nate’s lap, witnesses the brawl, tends injuries, demands answers, and leaves with Nate.
- Nathan (Nate)Protective captain; orders Anastasia outside, pins Aaron, gets cut, insists he was stopping the fight.
- HenryConfesses to hitting Aaron for slandering Anastasia; unapologetic and challenges Nate’s restraint.
- AaronArrives drunk, mouths off, fights; is pinned by Nate; accused of trash-talking Anastasia.
- Sabrina (Brin)Calmly administers first aid; suggests Anastasia consider moving out due to Aaron’s behavior.
- RobbieHost; furious about the fight and risk of cops; supplies first aid kits.
- JJHelps break up fights; supports Henry’s stance; trades barbs and grabs beers.
- KrisHelps pull Bobby off an opponent during the melee.
- JoeHelps restrain Bobby and hands out beers after the fight.
- MattieHelps JJ pull Henry off someone during the chaos.
- BobbyInvolved in the fight; gets his face cleaned by Sabrina afterward.