The corner of my mouth twitches and I feel a stab of gratitude and relief. That actually sounds really great. Just some time with my boys, not worrying about anything but kicking their asses inCall of Duty.
“I’m in,” I say.
“Same here,” Carson nods, his usually shaggy hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. His cheeks are flushed and his blue gaze bright. “Skyler is going with Grace and Rylee to see Stacey and the baby anyway.”
“I’m in too,” Jensen declares, tugging his jersey off.
“Me too.” Wilder says, while reaching up to undo the man bun on the top of his head to release his wild mane of curls. Guy has the body and style of Jason Momoa inAquaman, but with a longer beard.
“Should we ask Owen if he wants to join?” Carson asks, furrowing his brow thoughtfully.
“We can always ask,” Jensen shrugs. “I doubt he comes, since he just went on paternity leave, and between caring for Stacey, Millie, and the newborn, he’s not going to go out anytime soon.”
“Fair,” Zander sighs. “Well, gotta take care of the family. Can’t be upset about that.”
“No, we sure can’t.” I open my locker and begin taking off my gear. “Still, I get the feeling he’s pretty happy missing out on a night with us to be with his wife and kids. I know he’s been feeling crazy protective of them since the birth.”
Carson snorts. “I mean, can you blame him? It’s not everyday your kid is born at a hockey arena.”
I’m glad Owen’s having the chance to be fully present for the new baby. He had so much regret about not being around for Millie when she was born, and this is like a second chance for him. After everything he and Stacey went through, he deserves the loving family life he’s found with her. Of all the guys, I can relate to Owen the most since he’s from a wealthy background as well—and his situation is similarly messed up and awkward. Jenson has that too, to some extent, but we haven’t really talked much about it. Owen and I bonded quickly after he was traded, and even if I haven’t known him as long as any of the others, I feel closest to him… well, second after Wilder, anyway. Which is funny, because Wilder and I don’t talk about this stuff, but there’s a mutual understanding there, and a history there, which goes deep as it gets.
Zander chuckles and nods, suddenly getting a wistful look on his face. “Yeah, I think I’ll feel the same way.”
I grin at him and imagine what he’ll be like as a new dad once Rylee gives birth to their baby. She’s only five months along, but I can already imagine how doting and loving he’ll be. He’s going to be great at it, I know. As caring and calm as he is to everyone around him already, taking care of his own child will be so natural for him.
Wilder and I stop to pick up beers on the way to Zander’s place. We’re usually paired up like this. Makes sense, since we’ve known each other since college, long before meeting any of the other guys as they were brought into the Night Hawks. I like Wilder because he’s contained…he speaks when he has something to say and doesn’t beat around the bush. Not at all like the uptight assholes I grew up with who’d lie to my face than talk shit behind my back.
I never have to worry about Wilder doing that. He always calls me on my shit while holding my gaze.
By the time we arrive, the other guys have already fired up the PS5 and let out a cheer when we walk in. The apartment is big, with an open concept between the kitchen, with its dark wood cabinets and marble topped island, dining room, and living room, where the guys are gathered in front of a huge flat screen hanging on the wall. Looking around, I grin at the sight of unopened Target boxes of baby stuff leaning against the walls of the apartment. One has a picture of a baby’s crib on the side, and another looks like a changing station.
Looks like Baby Caldwell is going to be living it up.
“Woohoo!” Carson exclaims. “We were starting to wonder if you guys got lost.”
“Or if you took off with the beers, leaving us high and dry,” Zander chuckles. “Come, sit! I ordered the pizza already. We’re just starting up Skyler’s new game.”
Wilder and I pass around beers and I crack mine open as I relax into the armchair I’ve claimed and feel like a weight is being lifted off my chest. With these guys, I can just be myself. I don’t have to prove anything or act a certain way to fit in with them. My wealth doesn’t matter, or the fact that I’ll be CEO of my family’s company someday.
I’m just a guy, hanging out with his friends, having a good time over beers and pizza.
As I join in on the game, I let out a low whistle at the graphics as the first zombie pops onto screen. “Holy shit. Skyler made this?”
“Yeah, she did,” Carson beams, clearly proud. “My girl is a fucking genius.”
“Dude! I’m dropping an ammo pack near you,” Zander calls out to me. “Get it! I need you to flank me.”
“Got it.” I swoop in and grab the packet his avatar has left me.
“Suppressing fire!” Carson yells as he shoots at a wave of incoming zombies attacking our group.
“Christ, you don’t have to yell that every time,” Jensen grumbles. “It’s not even suppressing fire! None of us are charging forward!”
“Eat dicks, zombie fucks!” Carson exclaims, totally ignoring Jensen.
“They might actually like that,” I chuckle. “A yummy yummy bag of dicks for the hungry zombies.”
“Zombies eat brains, jack-off,” Wilder insists.
