"That's true," Kimberly said.
I couldn’t help but wonder how things might be like if both our parents were still with us. We’d probably have a very similardynamic to the Maxwells. I smiled despite the bout of sadness settling in my chest, bringing the glass to my lips.
For my entire adult life, I didn't feel like I belonged anywhere. It was just me and Emma against the world. But now, for the first time, I felt like I belonged here with these girls.
"Shall we get another round?" Kimberly asked.
"Sure." I made to reach for the menu when my phone lit up with a message. It was from Tyler.
Tyler: Hey, beautiful girl. Guess who’s back early. Declan just picked me up from the airport. Where are you and the girls?
"Oh my God. Tyler's back early," I exclaimed.
"Woohoo. Our champion’s back,” Lexi chanted.
“He wants to know where we are," I mentioned.
Kimberly burst out laughing. "I can't believe he's crashing girls’ night."
"I can," Reese singsonged.
"Oh, I'm going to tease him about this forever," Kimberly announced.
So would I, but I couldn’t wait to see my man.
CHAPTER 26
KENDRA
Tyler and Declanarrived a short while later. I jumped to my feet, excited to see my sexy goalie, and wrapped my arms around his neck as soon as he was in front of me. He sealed his lips over mine the next second, kissing me so wickedly hot that my entire body felt on fire. He didn't hold back at all. He tasted like mint and smelled like shower gel, and he overwhelmed all my senses. We only stopped because I heard distinctive whistling sounds even over the music.
Tyler looked at me with hooded eyes as he pulled back, smiling lazily at the table. "What? I've been away. Can't I kiss my girl?"
"Of course you can," Kimberly said, "the whistles were appreciative."
"You were gone for one week," Reese pointed out, "but I think this proves my theory about the true soul mate."
"What theory is that?" I asked, perking up.
"Never mind," Reese said quickly.
I made a mental note to address it in the future. If the girly evenings were here to stay, I was going to make the spill-it tradition a regular thing.
"Declan, thanks for picking him up from the airport," I said.
"No problem,” Declan replied. “Couldn't let the star goalie be ambushed by people. I mean, he sort of was anyway."
Tyler waved his hand. "It's nothing I’m not used to."
"Okay, well, since you two are here to stay and crash our girly evening, how about a shot to celebrate the win?" I suggested.
"I don’t want to drink," Tyler said. "Too close to the next game. But I'm happy to treat you all to a round."
He and Declan pulled up two chairs, and we made space at the table. Tyler sat right next to me, and Declan sat between Reese and Kimberly.
“Handcrafted cocktails? What the fuck?” Declan exclaimed.
Kimberly made a loud noise between a guffaw and a snort. "I forgot that you and I are two peas in a pod. I’m still annoyed that they have the nerve to charge extra for that."
