“Okay.”
I circle the island to kiss her head, then head for the living room where Asher’s playing video games.
He doesn’t take his eyes off the screen, rapidly tapping buttons on the controller. “You were eating all the cheese again, weren’t you?”
“Maybe. Open. I snagged you a piece of pepperoni.”
He gasps, eyes wide. It’s comical to watch him open his mouth while watching what he’s doing in the game. I feed it to him and check my phone.
There are a few new messages in the group chat with the guys. A bunch are of the fresh snow that dumped across the northeast and some are photos of the spread on their tables. I press a fist to my mouth at Cameron’s and reply.
Easton:Good god, Reeves. That looks good. Is that fried chicken, too? What the hell.
Cameron:Dad’s going through another cooking phase and I’m living the life. Bringing the stuffed peppers recipe back with me. You’re all about to crown me king of the kitchen.
McKinley:Think I just came looking at that.
Theo:Dude, I’m fucking eating.
I snort. As much as I look forward to my future career, I love this team. These guys are the best brothers in the world.
Another photo comes through not long after, this time from Coach Kincaid. He’s got Eve, the head coach’s daughter, tucked against his side and they’re both grinning while Bauer tries to jump on them to be part of the action.
I sit up once it registers what’s going on in the photo. He proposed. They snuck around during my freshman year. I had to keep it quiet that I knew anything about their secret relationship when I accidentally caught them making out at the rink.
Easton:Holy shit, Kincaid. Congrats.
Noah:Yooooo! [confetti emoji]
Easton:Locking it down with Coach Lombard’s daughter.
Elijah:Nice.
Madden:Congrats.
Cameron:The man, the myth, the legend.
Noah:Did you use my suggestion?
Kincaid:No. Only sent this so you’ll stop sending me every viral proposal idea you see.
Easton:Don’t lie. You love us.
Kincaid:And I question why often.
Cameron:Fuck off, bro. Go enjoy the good news with your family.
Kincaid:Oh shit.
Easton:What?
Kincaid:I’m marrying Eve. That makes David my father in law.
I hammer the laughing emoji and send a line of them, swiping amused tears from the corner of my eyes.
Asher pauses his game. “Can we play Mario Kart?”
“Yeah.”
