It’s more joking around as we eat dinner and watch the game. I remember my first All-Star game. I had the best time getting to play with some of the greatest stars in the game. But as the years went on, it was harder on my body to keep playing.
Now? I couldn’t imagine spending the night any other way. With my teammates and Quinn as we support our brothers in the game.
It’s perfect.
“Chloe’s getting off soon. I’m going to head over there and go home with her,” Dax says, taking his plate and empty beer bottle into the kitchen.
“I’d say thanks for stopping by, but this was not how I planned tonight going,” I say.
“Well, I’m glad we finally know what’s going on in your life,” Dax replies. “You deserve to be happy.”
I give him a grateful smile before pulling him in for a hug. “Thanks, man. We both do.”
He says his goodbyes before heading out.
“I think that might be our cue to leave too,” Graham says.
“You don’t want to stay and watch the end of the game?” Noah asks.
Graham shakes his head. “Let’s leave these two lovebirds be. They’ve had a big night.”
“Think I can take Twatopotamus with me?” He gives my cat a kiss on the head.
“Take her and I will hurt you,” I deadpan.
“Get your own cat.” Quinn laughs.
“Ugh. Fine.”
“We’ll have to do this again some time.” Quinn gives Noah a hug before he leaves.
Noah looks over the top of her head, smiling. “She’s a keeper, Jasper. Don’t fuck this up.”
“I don’t plan on it.”
“Good.”
With that, the guys head out and leave me and Quinn alone.
“So that happened.” Quinn laughs. “I love them.”
I smile at her. “I knew they would love you.”
“I am lovable.” She smiles up at me.
“The most lovable person there is.”
“Does that mean you’re going to let me meet the rest of them?” she asks.
“I guess. Maybe after I teach you to skate, we can grab dinner and come back here and have them over.”
“I’d like that.”
“Good. Now, can we pick up where we left off earlier?”
Quinn wraps her arms around me, a playful look on her face. “Where exactly did we leave off earlier?”
“Let me remind you.”
