He’s right, I didn’t.The entire first night, there were no get-to-know-you questions.It was all about our likes and dislikes.We didn’t talk about families or anything that would normally be covered on a first date.
“Some would say I didn’t care?”
He puts his arm around me and tugs me into his side.“And you didn’t act like it was a big deal.You never asked me for tickets.Most of all, I wasn’t a big deal to you, and I liked that… a lot.More than I ever would have thought.”
The thing about Easton is how he puts it all out there without caring who might give him shit or judge him.And it’s really attractive.
“Well, I knew it.”Callie smiles proudly.
As we walk out of the stadium, Easton’s hand slips into mine the minute we get outside where fans are celebrating their win.Hayes and Leighton go in one direction to leave with the kids while the rest of us head toward the condo building.
The guys joke about the game, and their friendship with one another shines through all the jabs.I can see why Easton loves this life.It must be so nice not to be judged for every single decision you make.
None of them have ever excluded me, but I’m here temporarily.I’m not really a part of the group.That thought shouldn’t bother me as much as it does.
ChapterTwenty-One
Hadley
“So, what the hell, Had?”Honor asks once we’re seated with our coffee and pastries.
“No, first off, how is your grandma?”I ask.I had every intention of taking Tanner up to her so she wouldn’t have to leave the house, but she said she wanted to come to the city for something anyway.
“She’ll be in the hospital for at least a week.Her friends are with her now, which helps.”She puts another packet of sugar in her coffee and barely touches her scone.“Not sure what I’d do without them, even if I have to worry about them driving to and from the hospital as well as every other driver on the road.”
Her laugh is hollow, and she’s got bags under her eyes, and even though we’re embarking on summer, her skin looks pale.There’s a tiredness in her that goes beyond a few rough nights.
I touch her hand.“Are you okay?What can I do?”
She’s already shaking her head before I finish, tears welling in her eyes.“I’m good.It’s just been a rough few days.”She straightens in her seat, smoothing her expression back into something more like herself.“Now stop deflecting and give me every single detail.”
“I am not important right now.”
“Are you kidding me?”She sets down her coffee.“My free-spirit best friend who doesn’t do strings or commitments just married a professional baseball player and found herself in an instant family.That is extremely what’s important right now.”
I scour the area, but it’s mid-morning, and we’re tucked into a corner.Tanner is back at The Story Jar strapped to Felix—his words, not mine—until I get back.Easton said it was fine when I asked him this morning, and Felix practically snatched him from my arms, telling Tanner they were getting two new books today that they’d test out.
“Well, you know my timeline doesn’t start until I’m officially married.”I glance around once more—that is becoming a habit.I hate this whole looking over my shoulder now.
Honor stares at me.“Hadley.You are officially married.”
“Right.”I wave my hand.“I know that.”
“Do you?”She raises an eyebrow.
“It just feels weird to say out loud.”
“I’d imagine.”She finally takes a bite of her scone.“And don’t think I don’t know you were dodging my calls before you did it.You were afraid I’d talk some sense into you.”
I distract myself by stirring my straw through the iced coffee, watching the ice cubes spin.
“You’re dodging again right now,” Honor says.
“What do you want me to say?”
“How about how you see this panning out?”
I shrug.
