“For loving me. Life is fucking good, Tiger. Our businesses are taking off, we have amazing kids, and I never thought I’d love someone as much as I love you.”
He rests his hand on my heart, and his eyes water. “I have no idea where all that came from, but I’ll take it, Calvin Abernathy, my beloved.” His hand moves up to my cheek, cups it, and pecks my lips. “Where would we be were it not for my kids driving you up the wall?”
I chuckle. “I think we would’ve found each other eventually.”
“You’re probably right.”
“I’malwaysright.”
When we arrive at Slade’s place, since he’s hosting tonight, we all shake hands and give each other hugs.
“Ready to get your asses whooped,” I say as I pour Seth and me a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
Reuben and Travis groan, “God, you’re the worst.”
“Pfft, that’s what Seth said. I feel seriously unloved right now.”
“Hey! Don’t put words in my mouth.”
I chuckle and hand a wineglass to Seth. We lean against the counter to catch up with everyone before we play.
Reuben tips his beer bottle to my glass and clinks it. “So, I hear Braeden went to prom with Chance, huh?”
“Yep. The next step is moving away. I don’t like it one bit.”
Travis laughs. “Yeah, watching our kids get older is beautiful and painful at the same time.”
“Can’t agree more,” Slade says. “I mean, Fern recently turned twenty-one. God, she’s legal now.”
“It’s good that you and Braeden are close, and that he was able to find a home in you, Cal,” Reuben explains. “He’s really turned into a fine young man.”
“Well, that’s not all me. His parents did the hard work. I got the result of that work.”
Seth kisses my cheek. “You all raised him, Joker. You’ve been a strong presence in his life. It’s important.”
“Thanks, Tiger.”
Slade checks his watch and frowns. “It’s not like Paul and Edmundo to be late. If one of them is sick, they always reach out. Has anyone heard from them?”
We all shake our heads.
“Let’s wait a few more minutes. If they don’t show, we can get started,” Travis says.
Slade pulls out his phone and swipes it open. “I want to shoot them a text really quick.”
After a few minutes, there’s still no response, so we agree to start playing without them.
Slade shuffles the cards as we all sit down at the dining table. “Anyone up for seven-card stud?”
“Sounds good to me,” I say.
We play a few rounds, and there’s still no word from Paul or Edmundo. This time, it’s Reuben and Travis to reach out in our group chat and in a personal chat, trying to reach our friends. There’s still no response.
Slade throws down his cards. “I fold. This is weird, man. They’ve never not reached out.”
“It’s concerning,” Seth agrees. “I hope they’re okay.”
We start to play another round when our phones ping at once. It’s the group chat. We all open our phones and read Paul’s message.
