Chapter 44
Elle
I’ve finally settled onto the couch after a long day of wedding things with Vi and Sadie when my phone rings. Archer’s name flashes across my screen. Not unusual but I know he planned on being out with the guys tonight.
“Hello?”
“Ellie Jellie!”
Oh boy. That voice does not sound sober.
“Archer?”
“Nope! It’s Tyson!” The voice singsongs and then hiccups.
“Hi, Ty, where’s Archer?” I say trying to hold back my giggle.
“He’s here. He’s singing.”
“Uhm, what?”
“He’s singing a song about your—” Tyson’s cut off and a newvoice replaces his.
“Hello Elle, this is Coach Pierson. We are out celebrating DJ’s engagement.”
“DJ is engaged?!” I try to contain my squeal. “Oh that’s so exciting!”
“Yes, it is.” I can hear the smile in his voice. “However, some of the guys, Archer and Tyson included, started earlier and are now suffering those consequences, do you think you could come pick them up?”
“Oh absolutely, where are you guys?”
“The Old Mill Brewery.”
“I’ll be right there Coach!”
“Thank you, and Elle? It will be nice to formally meet you.”
“You too, Coach.” We hang up and I throw real clothes on before driving to the brewery.
I shoot a text to Sadie, asking her if I can drop Tyson off at her place or if he needs to stay at ours. Sadie spilled the beans earlier that she and Ty have been ‘seeing’ each other. I was not shocked. I’m, in fact, incredibly thrilled. My hopes of us becoming couples that go on vacations together and spend the holidays together is looking increasingly possible.
I pull into the only empty spot in the brewery’s parking lot and got permission from Sadie to drop Ty off at her place.
Making my way in I pass a group of linemen who are crowded around a shuffleboard table, arguing good-naturedly over who’d cheated. Near the back wall, DJ is beaming telling anyone who’d listen about his engagement. Archer is in the thick of it spending quality time with his teammates.
I can’t help but smile.
DJ spots me first. “Elle!” he shouts, waving so hard I’m afraid he might knock over his glass. “You made it! We’re celebrating, I’m engaged!”
“I heard!” I weave my way through the crowd toward him “Congratulations, Deej. That’s amazing.” The last part of my sentence is a wheeze as he picks me up and crushes me in a bear hug.
“Isn’t it?” Ty says, slinging an arm around DJ’s shoulders as soon as he puts me down. “Whole team’s been toasting to him all night. Coach even bought a round. Which, for the record, is historic.”
“Coach bought a round?”
He’s leaning against the bar, pint glass in hand, looking relaxed. Coach Oliver Pierson is the type of man that just exudes charisma. You know he’s the man in charge when you see him, however tonight he’s donning jeans and a simple henley, he looks like one of the guys. Coach smiles and nods “Evening, Elle. Nice to formally meet you. I’ve been trying to get your boys to behave, but unfortunately, they started earlier thanI was able to get here.”
He earns indignant responses from both Ty and Archer.
