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“Marriage? Kids?”
She laughs. “Hectic. But nothing really changed after we got married.”
Bryce and Miles were married in a big ceremony over the summer, and right after, Damon and Adeline rushed off to Vegas to tie the knot, deciding they didn’t want any part of a big wedding for themselves.
“It has to be more than just hectic. You’re too happy for hectic.”
“True. I’m not sure how to explain it. For me, it’s like peace. Although our life is crazy, there’s something about knowing someone else out there loves your daughter as much as you, and you just as much as you love him. I know we’re in the early days for the love thing, but I can’t imagine not wanting to spend every minute with Damon and Clover.”
I smile, remembering that feeling when I first met Cooper. Thank goodness our psych class was three times a week. Tuesdays and Thursdays dragged until we got to the point where we were hanging out then too.
“You’ve felt it before?” Adeline studies me.
I shrug and drink my water, bringing my popcorn back to my lap. I’m not saying a word. Admitting I had feelings for my best friend would only further the commentary that there’s something going on with Cooper and me. But that was so long ago. It’s hilarious to think of us being together now.
“Bradley?” she asks, and I want to thank her for giving me a reprieve on the whole “you love Cooper” thing. Adeline is the sweetest person I’ve ever known.
“No.”
She gives me a small grin. “I didn’t think so.”
We don’t wait for the guys at the stadium after the game. Instead, we head to Peeper’s Alley bar. When we get out of the car that Damon hired for Adeline and Clover, there’s a crowd around Peeper’s Alley, most women wearing our men’s jerseys.
“This is always kind of awkward, no?” Adeline says.
“Only to you. I like to show off to them that my man is taken, and they’re not sinking their teeth into him.” Bryce saunters out of the vehicle and winds her way toward the entrance.
“I want to be her someday,” Adeline says, holding a sleeping Clover to her chest.
I laugh. “I’ll grab the car seat.”
After seeing Bryce, the women turn around, and the whispers commence. We walk through a group of women, but one of them reaches for my arm and throws me back.
“No cuts,” she says.
I scowl at her. “Excuse me? I’m expected in there.”
“Oh please.” The woman looks drunk, and of course she’s wearing Cooper’s jersey, matching mine. “If you think you’re getting in there before me because you look like the cheerleader type?—”
“I’m friends with him.”
“It’s her, the best friend,” another girl yells.
“Ellery!” Adeline calls from the door.
“I’m fine. Go.” I wave her off, wanting, for some reason, to finish this.
“You’re best friends. Are you a lesbian?” the woman asks me.
Here we go.
“No, I’m not.”
“Then I don’t buy it.” She looks as if she wants to spit in my face.
Her friend steps in, trying to get her to keep quiet. “Just excuse her, she’s had a lot to drink tonight.”
The group goes wild, and I look around and spot Damon and Miles going in the back entrance of the bar, which is what we should’ve done. But that would have meant Adeline and Clover had to go through the basement and up the flight of stairs to enter Peeper’s. Ruby isn’t a fan of us using that entrance except for days like this. I used it once with Cooper when his fame skyrocketed from all his endorsements two years ago.
