TALLY
“We have so much to celebrate.” Phillip frees my hair from my jacket and kisses the side of my neck.
“You should kiss me right here.” I point to the hollow just below my ear.
“I’ll kiss every inch of you when we get home.” His lips ghost along the edge of my jaw. “But right now, we have to leave, or we’ll be late.”
I sigh. “You’re going to edge me the entire time, aren’t you?”
“If you want me to.” He smiles against my skin.
I turn in his arms and loop mine around his neck. “I love you.”
The way his face lights up never stops making my heart squeeze. “I love you, too, kitten.” He kisses the end of my nose, my chin, and then my lips. “And I’ll show you how muchafterthe party.”
“I’m very excited for that.”
Phillip opens the door and ushers me into the hall. He laces our fingers as we wait for the elevator. It’s not empty, so wemake polite conversation with the older couple on the way down, then walk the short distance to the Watering Hole.
All our friends are already there when we arrive. Balloons and party hats proclaiming congratulations are strewn across the table. So much has happened in the past few weeks. Toronto won the first series after game six, then went on to take the second series in four games. They have a few days off while Vancouver and the Seattle Storm fight it out for their place in the conference finals.
“Ah! Talls! Congratulations!” Fee hops off her stool and rushes over, throwing her arms around me. Cammie and Enid follow, and then the rest of the Babes.
“Thank you!” I absorb their affection and their love, elated all over.
“I cannot wait to see you onstage in a professional theater!” Hammer gushes.
Yesterday En Pointe Theater offered me a place in their dance troupe for their fall production. “Me either.”
“You must be so excited!” Hemi beams.
“It’s a dream come true.”
Today we’re celebrating our university graduation, my first ever adult job, and the Terror making it to the conference finals.
The past month has felt like the best kind of dream. Phillip and the Terror guys helped me move out of my apartment into my dad’s place. He’s only a couple of blocks from the Terror office, which is also very close to Phillip’s apartment and En Pointe Theater is only a twenty-minute subway ride away. When Phillip isn’t on an away series, I spend most of my nights in his bed, but I always try to keep a night open for my dad. Our relationship feels more stable these days and moving in with him has helped. When the Terror are away, I’ll spend time with my mom, Ties, and Fenna. We’ll have our own family celebration in a few days, once the guys are on their way to either Seattle or Vancouver.
We gather around the table, pour drinks and order food. Phillip stretches his arm across the back of my chair.
I glance around the table, smiling as I take in the second family my dad created for me. Ariel and Pavin are side by side, Pavin trying to feed her his fries, but mostly sticking them in her hair and ear. Hammer is sitting next to her little sister, wet wipe at the ready, her smile wide and full of joy. Hollis watches his wife, eyes full of warmth. I won’t be surprised if they announce a pregnancy of their own soon.
Brody sits between his brothers, staring longingly at Enid at the other end of the table.
“We’ll be celebrating you soon enough,” Roman says to Brody.
“Huh?” He drags his gaze away from Enid.
“You’ll be signing a contract soon,” Quinn says. “The Rage are interested in you, right?”
“Oh, yeah.” Brody runs a hand through his hair. “Chicago would be good.”
“They could use a Stiles out there,” Tristan adds.
“I wouldn’t mind ending up back out that way again eventually,” Quinn muses.
“Dude, don’t say shit like that.” Kellan elbows him.
“I said eventually.” Quinn rubs his arm.
