“No, she’s cool as fuck. But unique. You’ll see,” she says, winking at him.
Anders and I look at each other and chuckle.
Hedy smiles warmly at the team, and it feels like sunshine. “I’m gonna leave y’all to think through your options, and I’ll be in contact with you individually over the next few days to schedule some time out in Wimberley. You’ve all got my number if you have any questions.”
Ronan holds his hand up. “I don’t have your number.”
Hedy turns to him and smiles. “You sure about that? Check your phone.”
Ronan pulls up his phone and laughs. She winks at him and makes her way out of the shop.
DeShaun gets everyone’s attention again. “Obviously, y’all are going to need to sleep on this. It’s not a small change. That said, do any of you have any first thoughts that you’d like to share with the team?”
Abigail goes first. “I’m in. I like her. I think it’s cool that the command structure is all women, and I like that I’ll still be able to do good things for a whole lotta money.”
Omar smiles with his answer. “I go where he goes,” he says, gesturing his thumb at Anders.
Anders nods. “My parents are gifting us with some acreage in the back of the Vineyard, and we’ll be building a house out there soon.”
Everett and Rafi look at each other. Everett is careful when he speaks. “I think we both want to know a little bit more before we make a decision, but it sounds good. I kind of like the idea that I can opt-out of the heavier stuff and stick with killing assholes.”
Rafi laughs. “Oh no, I want that money. Put me on a scope anywhere.”
Everett kisses the top of his head. “That’s my little sharpshooter.”
Parker drums her fingers on the table, flicking her eyes up to Abigail. “I’m interested in seeing what they do. I’ve been working with Ronan on operational logistics, and it feels like a solid next step for me.” Looking at me and Anders, she ponders, “That is if you think they’d be willing to train me.”
I take that one. “Everything’s a training experience. And I already know that Hedy likes you because you’re smart and brave and funny. Also, someone needs to make sure that Rafi dresses himself appropriately.”
Rafi balls up a piece of paper and tosses it at me. After a bit of laughter, the table goes quiet again and we look at Thane and Ronan, who’ve been silent this whole time.
Thane laughs, shaking his head. He reaches out his hand for Ronan, who grabs it with conviction. “We’re getting married.” He pauses to let the room erupt again, with another round of five-dollar bets and congratulations and hugs.
Looking nostalgic, he continues, “And we’ll be retiring from the team after today. We want to shift to something legal and less violent.”
“Are you going to re-open your CrossFit locations?”
He shakes his head. “I enjoyed that, but it was lonely work. My favorite part was the volunteering I did at Wrecked. That team is super-smart and super-dedicated to creating a place for veterans, no matter what shape they’re in. And they’re expanding, so I’ve become an angel investor with them.”
Ronan speaks up finally. “And I’ll be working with Elijah, their operations guy, to create an expansion plan.”
Parker, who’s been working with Ronan closely, smiles at her friend. “That happened fast.”
“We’ve been talking about it for a while now. Because not only are we getting married, we’re…expecting.”
Anders jumps up, pumping his fists. “Thane, you dog! You got our sweet Ronan here pregnant?”
Thane rolls his eyes at Anders. “No. We worked with a queer-friendly adoption agency and found someone who’s having a baby and wants to have an open adoption with LGBTQ+ parents.”
Ronan pulls up his phone and shows everyone a picture of an ultrasound. Jake takes the phone and casts it to the table, and a collective aww goes around the room. Ronan fumbles when Jake hands back the phone and a picture of a very different nature fills the screen.
Anders cackles, slapping his knee as Ronan turns the color of ripe cherries. “Jesus Christ, Ro! How the fuck are you doing that? I mean…congrats, Thane. Well done, sir.”
Omar clamps his hand over Anders’ mouth and apologizes to Thane and Ronan as the rest of us laugh our asses off.
Seriously, color me impressed.
Jake quickly grabs the phone again, ending the screencast as DeShaun sidles up next to me. “Remind me to add that to our yoga routine.”
