I’m showered and changed, but the bus is rolling out soon. If I’m coming up there it’s gotta be fast
Faye typed immediately:
Use the service elevator by the visiting clubhouse. An agent will be waiting
She lifted her gaze to Agent Pederson, who stood by the door. “Dylan’s coming up.”
He gave a quick nod, touched his earpiece, and spoke low.
Cammie leaned into me again. “This is insane.”
“It’s a normal Tuesday for her.” I chuckled.
Faye’s mouth twitched.
A few minutes later, Dylan stepped inside wearing a Crushers hoodie and joggers.
“Dylan!” Cammie squealed and threw herself at him.
He caught her and laughed. “You’re gonna be hoarse for a week.”
“I don’t care!” she yelled into his shoulder.
Tyler stepped in next and pulled Dylan into a quick hug. “Proud of you, bro.”
Dylan’s mouth tightened. “Thanks, but it would have been better if we had won.” He shot me a look, and I shrugged.
Hayden leaned in after his husband and squeezed Dylan’s arm. “Win or lose, it was a big day.”
“Yeah.” Dylan smiled.
Gage didn’t rush him. He just stood there for a second, eyes locked on his son as if he needed to see him up close to believe it, then stepped in and grabbed him. “Come here,” Gage told him.
Dylan folded into the hug, and for a second, he stopped pretending to be fine. His hands pressed into the back of Gage’s shirt, and his shoulders dropped.
“You did good,” Gage added. “You did really good.”
Dylan swallowed. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” Gage replied. “I’m proud of you.”
Dylan let out a shaky breath, even as he tried to hide it. “Thanks, Dad.”
Gage pulled back, kept a hand on Dylan’s shoulder, then looked him over the way dads do when they’re trying not to look emotional. “You eat?”
“I ate,” Dylan answered, then his eyes flicked to Faye and me.
Mom hugged him next, and he went still for a beat before tightening his hold. “I’m proud of you,” she told him. “Both of you.”
“Thanks,” Dylan responded.
Dad was next with a hug. “Good work today. Tomorrow’s a new day and a new chance to win.”
“That’s the plan,” Dylan retorted.
Tony clapped Dylan’s shoulder. “Hell of a debut.”
“Appreciate it.”
