We take our drinks, and Decker releases my hand to open the door. Once the door is open, he links our fingers again.
The whole group is clustered around the large round table, all arguing about something on the television, I think.
Callie is in Foster’s lap.
Hayes’s arm is swung over the back of Leighton’s chair.
Easton is leaning halfway across the table as he tries to prove some point that Callie is arguing with him.
I love this group and feel so honored to be welcomed in.
Hayes sees us first. His gaze drops to our linked hands. Back up. A slow smile forms on his lips. He pats Leighton’s shoulder and nods toward us.
Then Leighton turns and catches our hands, her smile big with an almost I told you so expression.
Callie’s eyes snag on us mid-argument with Easton, and she nods, her smile emerging as well. Foster leans back in his chair, not surprised, but not showing much of a reaction.
Easton is the last one to see us. He looks at our hands, then at Decker, at me, and says, “Finally, Goldie! Ruby, we need a round of shots. He’s finally walked into the light.”
“Fuck you.” Decker walks us into the room. He pulls out my chair, and I sit down.
Both of the girls are looking at me as if they’re going to ask me to see the ring. This moment feels a lot like an engagement with so much leading up to us being together.
Then everyone grabs cash from their pockets and purses and tosses it on the table, arguing about who won.
Easton grabs the fist of money. “I told you all, I was right.”
Ruby comes in with a tray of shots. “Good, you can pay for the shots. These three are water for anyone who might not be able to drink.” Her eyebrows raise as if she knows something we don’t.
Leighton and Callie look at one another, but they both turn away. They know each other so well, I feel as if they’d know if each other were pregnant just from looking.
“What were the terms?” Decker asks.
“Everyone picked an event when they thought it would happen.”
“I had the river cleanup, and I was so close.” Leighton raises her thumb and forefinger with a little bit of space in between. “I saw that almost kiss.”
Decker and I look at one another.
“I had after the game when you were going to his place,” Callie says. “And if it wasn’t for Easton…” She narrows her eyes at him.
“If you and Foster used condoms, I would’ve banged on your door. Desperate times.” Easton counts out his money.
Hayes raises his hand. “I had after the BBQ at our place.”
“I thought it’d be season’s end,” Foster says.
Man, they were all so invested—it’s oddly endearing.
Callie pulls her phone out of her purse. “Which one will I choose?” She taps her lip with her finger, and Foster narrows his eyes at Decker.
“What did you lose?” Decker asks Foster, then turns to me. “Callie and Foster had their own private bet about us.”
I turn to Callie, remembering her mentioning it at the Colts game. I can finally hear the terms now.
“My dear fiancé thought that Penelope would have to make the move. That Decker wouldn’t. So now, my nice parents get to spend some quality time with Ellis while I go to an away game series.” She points at Leighton and me. “And you two are coming. Find yourself some babysitters.”
“You just took mine.” Leighton laughs.
