“This is gonna be us some day,” I whisper to Jade as Emmerson and Taylor take to the dance floor for their bridal dance. Jade is sitting on my knee, my arm capturing her tiny middle and holding her close to me. It’s been a beautiful day at their wedding.
She turns to look at me and nudges her nose against mine. “You’re going to make an honest woman of me?” she giggles, despite knowing it’s true. We’ve spoken of it more often than not lately. It’s not just because Tyler just proposed to Cindy and she’s sporting a beautiful diamond ring, or the fact all the guys except Jake are now married, but seeing how happy everyone is really brings joy to my heart. And I know it’s gonna be the next step for us.
Em is only just showing the early signs of her pregnancy, with barely a bump. They brought the wedding forward to accommodate their new addition. Seeing them both so happyand about to embark on parenthood is really something to aspire to. They both deserve it.
“Hey,” Ashton plonks down next to me when Maddison hauls Jade off my knee to take to the floor with the girls. We both plan on getting back out there ourselves and dancing the night away with some of the new moves Markus has been teaching us. “Haven’t had a chance to catch up with you much today. How are ya?”
He’s asking me that because he knows about what’s been going on with my mom. Ash has been pivotal in supporting this navigation with her and if we should reconnect. He had a very difficult upbringing with his father, and things never got resolved between the two of them. Ash hasn’t been pushing me to do anything, he’s just been a sounding board when things have gotten too much. All of the guys have. I have the best fucking friends in the world and couldn’t have asked for better support.
“I’m going good,” I say. “Mom’s okay. We’ve spoken a little bit, but it’s baby steps.” She knows that and strangely hasn’t pushed me or bugged me since my birthday.
It wouldn’t do any good anyway, it would only make me retreat.
I’m just not ready to see her yet, and I think that’s okay. I want Jade to meet my uncle Ricky and Leo, though, so a trip to North Dakota will be on the cards some day soon.
“A little bit at a time,” he says. “Just keep doing what you’re doing, as long as that feels good.”
“Thanks, man.”
Tyler, Taylor and Jake all walk over to us since the girls are having a group dance.
They all plonk down in the head table seats at the Rainier Chapter House on Capitol Hill; a beautiful, historic 1925 mansion.
“How’s it feel to be married, Swifty?” I ask Taylor, as he watches his wife dancing with the girls on the ballroom floor, as they all laugh and spin each other around.
“Fucking fantastic,” Taylor beams. “I can’t believe I’m married in less than a year after Em and I reconnected.”
“Some love just can’t be denied,” Jake’s philosophical words have us all staring at him.
“What would you know about it?” Tyler chuckles.
Jake shoves Ty in the arm. “I’ve been hanging out with Beth, I’m learning shit as I go.”
That’s no surprise to me. Jade has been keeping me informed with them ‘hanging out’, but it’s become more frequent as time has gone on.
“Just stick with us,” I pipe up. “We’ll make a husband out of you one of these days.”
Jake balks at that while we all laugh, but I used to think the same thing, now, all I want to do is make Jade mine. We’ve only gotten more close as the months have passed. Jade moved to Seattle in the new year, right after she launched her yoga app. She told me on Christmas Day she couldn’t spend another stint away from me.
Since we’d only been dating a short while, she decided to move in with Beth and we’ve been dating like a regular couple. Now, we’re looking for a place together. I don’t want to keep my fuck boy pad any longer, those days are over and I want to make a fresh start with her.
We get out to Pierce County every chance we get and after the season is over, we plan to take a much needed break together.
The season is going better than ever, and we’re gunning for the end of April, which will see the season games come to a close, we are still in the top ten favorites to get into the Stanley Cup playoffs again. And if Coach Carter has anything to do with it, we’ll be up there with the best of them.
“Pregnant with your kid has gotta make you feel fucking good,” Ashton says to his best friend. “We all know you’re going to be the best dad there is.”
Taylor shifts his eyes away from watching his wife dancing and, if I’m not mistaken, tears are welling at the surface. “Thanks man.” He slaps Ashton on the back. “Here’s hoping. And thanks to all of you, I know I said it in my speech, but we all have something, all five of us. No matter what happens or where we all end up in the future, we’ll always have each other,” he says. “I truly mean that, you guys mean everything to me.”
“Fuck,” Jake says, scrubbing a hand down his face. “You’re gonna get me all choked up in a minute.”
“Right back at ya,” I say to Taylor. “All of you, too.”
“Here, here,” Tyler stands, and we all follow suit.
“You guys are all fucking phenomenal. Group hug?” Ashton suggests.
And that’s what we do. My heart is so full to be with my friends, seeing Taylor get married, having Jade by my side, and everyone happy. It’s the greatest joy yet, and I know there’s only more to come.
