“The guys are downstairs shooting pool,” Marnie said, letting him off the hook. “My brother and his friends.”
“Hank and Mark are down there too,” Heather added.
“Sorry,” Tyler whispered back. “I thought we’d be together. You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.”
“Nice meeting you,” Cary said to the women before escorting Tyler back into the hall. “I’ll stay.” He shrugged. “I don’t mind shooting pool.”
“What?” She laughed. “You know how to play pool?”
“Of course I do. Want to chalk up my cue?”
“Later.” She bit her bottom lip at the thought of it. “I’m sure Mark and Hank will entertain you, but text if you need me to save you.”
“Are you babysitting me?” He gave her a bratty grin.
She grinned. “What if I am?”
Tyler hadn’t realized just how much she’d missed her friends, but as laughter and conversation filled the room, a quiet ache settled in her chest. She was missing something else even more.
She was the only unmarried person there, and as much as her friends had gushed about Cary, it was painfully clear—she wasn’t any closer to having a family of her own. The thought lodged itself deep, unsettling and undeniable. She didn’t want to wait until the tour was over. She was in love with him. And more than anything, she wanted a baby—one with hazel eyes and an ear for music, a piece of both of them that would last forever.
Two hours later she checked her phone, but there were no messages from Cary. As long as the husbands weren’t dusting off Marnie’s old beer bong, she’d try not to worry.
“Please tell the guys to come up here,” Marnie asked her sister, unwrapping the last present with as much enthusiasm as the first. “Mark and Hank can help cut the cake.”
Little Lesley kicked the blue and pink tissue paper scattered across the living room floor, making a path to the basement door.
“It’s time for cake!” she yelled down the stairs.
A few seconds later the men trampled up the stairs like a human stampede.
“I’ll cut the cake,” Hank slurred, unable to hold the knife’s edge straight.
“I’ll help,” Mark said in no better shape.
“I’ve got it.” Heather gently took the knife away from her husband. “We’ll be at the hospital soon enough.”
While her friends took over the cake-cutting, Tyler held her boyfriend’s hand. She could tell he’d been drinking even before he whispered, “I want to fuck you right now.”
“Let’s wait until we’re back at the hotel.” She turned to meet his gaze. “It wouldn’t be polite in front of everyone.”
“We have an announcement!” Marnie clapped, quieting the room. “We’re moving home! Heather and I are moving back here,” she clarified. “With Mark and Hank, if they’re lucky.”
Everyone hugged and cheered while Tyler reined in her tears, trying to be happy for her friends.
After Tyler and Cary said their goodbyes, they walked down the street toward her dad’s house. Rory was spending the weekend there, mostly sleeping, according to Bert.
“Did you have an okay time?” she asked, snow crunching underneath her boots.
“They’re a great bunch of guys,” he said. “I won at foosball!”
“Foosball?” She shook her head. “You never cease to amaze me with your talents. Did they ask for a lot of selfies?”
“No, not one. They were too busy with the beer bong.” They continued to walk down the street. “Mark and Hank are coming to my show in Ottawa. Remind me to tell Kim to get them backstage passes.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Mark and Hank aren’t going anywhere. They’re having babies any day now.”
“Right.” He nodded. “It’s such good news about your friends moving home.”
