Page 34 of Line Change

“Finally,” Hadley announces, opening the door before we have a chance to knock. I have a feeling she was watching for us out the window. “I didn’t think you guys were ever going to come inside. What are you—oh, this is new.” Her eyes get wide, and I know she’s clocked us holding hands.

“Hi, Hads,” I say as we hug.

“Hiya, Hadley,” Sebastian says.

“Hey, guys.” Wes ambles over, wrapping his arm around Hadley and holding out his hand first to Sebastian then me. “Come in. Come in.” He moves back, bringing Hadley with him, giving us room to walk inside their house. “You’re the last to arrive.” He gestures for us to follow them farther into the house.

“No one’s making any bets are they?” Sebastian asks.

I dart a look at him, my eyebrows raised, but he simply shakes his head.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Wes says with a wink.

Yes, actually, I would.

When we step into the living room, we greet everyone with more hugs and handshakes. I peek in at Madison and Hunter’s son, Tate, who is fast asleep in the pack and play that’s set up in the corner.

“I just saw him, and he’s bigger already,” I tell Madison.

“I swear he’s going through a growth spurt. We had to put him in bigger clothes because the six-to-nine-month outfits were already too small,” she says.

“Little man’s growing up so fast. He’ll be skating before you know it,” Sebastian says.

Madison chuckles. “He’s not even walking yet. One thing at a time.”

Sebastian grins, shaking his head.

“So, what’s going on?” Holt asks.

I fiddle with one of my rings as our friends take seats on one of the couches or the floor then give us their full attention.

“We have something to tell you,” Sebastian says, coming to stand next to me. He squeezes my hand before focusing back on our friends. “But it can’t leave this room.” He pauses, for dramatic effect I guess, before saying, “We’re getting married.”

The room devolves into everyone talking at once.

“Hold up,” Hunter says, in what I imagine is his captain’s voice, putting his hand up, and the room goes silent. “What the actual fuck?”

“Language,” Becca hisses, pointedly looking over at Hazel who is climbing all over Wes.

“Sorry. What the heck, guys?” Hunter asks. “Care to explain?”

“Is this an elaborate joke?” Elias asks.

“It’s not real,” I blurt out. “I mean it’s real but not real.” I fidget from side to side, twisting my ring. Why did I think this was a good idea? My hands start sweating. What the fuck was I thinking? This is a crazy idea.

Sebastian puts his arm around me, squeezing gently, and the voices in my head quiet down.

“Sutton’s grandmother left her a large inheritance, but she needs to be married to claim it, and it’s got an expiration date, otherwise it goes to her father. Who’s a jack …” He pauses, glancing over at Hazel before saying, “Butt. So, I volunteered to help.”

“What can we do to help? What do you need from us?” Wes asks.

“Yeah, what can we do?” Hadley repeats.

I blink back tears. Of course our friends are supportive and willing to jump in and help.

“Thank you for the offer.” I look at each of them in turn. “We’re planning to get married over the break, but aside from that, we’re not sure. We wanted to do something small to make it believable, but nothing fancy.”

“I’d love to make you a cake,” Madison says.