“Babe,” Dane said, “it’s just a bridge. You went up in my jet.”
He looked horrified. “And you turned me upside down and tried to make me pee in my pants.”
Everyone laughed uproariously, much to Lennox’s amusement. He loved being the center of attention.
Evan had words of encouragement for his best friend. “You can’t do that up there, Sanders. Suck it up. You can do this. Even Jack and Erin are going. You’re not afraid of heights, are you?”
Hudson’s teenagers were hyped and ready to go. But Lennox huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. “No.”
“You don’t have to go if you don't want to,” Carson said. “It’s okay. When we frame the photos, we’ll photoshop you in. Maybe draw a stick figure.”
I put my hand on his shoulder. “Don’t listen to him. Or any of them. If you don’t wanna go, you don’t go. It’ll be fine.”
I could understand his apprehension after Dane’s accident. But his boyfriend didn’t see it that way.
“Whatever you want is fine, babe. But I’m going. When will you ever get this experience again? We gotta live every moment.”
“Of course you are,” Lennox grumbled at him. “You drive death machines for a living.”
Mason had a solution for Lennox. “I’ll walk in front of you, and you can hold on to my shirt. I’m used to protecting you.”
Elizabeth leaned in, and I put my arm around her. “What exactly does Dane do?”
“Fighter pilot,” I whispered. “Badass.”
She laughed and nodded. “Very much so.”
The guide approached us, waiting to go over all the safety instructions. When we were all harnessed and connected to safety equipment, we started the climb.
When we reached the top, it was breathtaking. Even Lennox could admit it.
Carson slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me back to him. “We’re on top of the world.”
We were, and it had nothing to do with the bridge.
After a slow descent, we opted to go to the Cranky Kangaroo. Owen and Carrie were waiting, as were some of my old friends. I greeted them with hugs and slaps on the back. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed them until I saw them again.
“Okay,” I said. “Let’s see how best to do this.”
As I introduced them around, it occurred to me I’d taken up with the same lot in San Diego.
“San Diego team, meet the Sydney team.”
I put my hand on each of their shoulders. “Brandon here is a fly-half with game duties very similar to Lennox. Warren is an inside center, like Drew. And Zeke is the hooker, like Mason.”
Of course, Mason blushed, making everyone laugh. I felt sorry for the big guy.
“And last but not least, my best mate, Owen, and his lovely bride-to-be, Carrie.”
I went back around and introduced everyone to our friends, then stopped on Carson. Holding out my hand, he took it and stepped closer until his arm draped over my shoulders and mine circled his waist.
“Guys, this is Carson. My teammate and soon-to-be-husband as of tomorrow.”
By the end of the night, they’d all huddled around some tables to talk. The mention of a pick-up rugby game came up,making me laugh. There were stories and uproarious laughter as the beer did its job of loosening everyone up.
“Did ya ever think these two lots would get along?”
Carson shrugged as he sipped his beer. “I’m not surprised. We all do the same thing, really.”
