53. Tee
Tee
A few weeks later
“ I t’s so good to have my boys all together again,” Lindsay crows as she plunks herself down on the couch beside Mrs. Abelman.
(How ‘her boys’ have failed to see the chemistry between both women when they’re all incredibly intelligent is enough to have me shaking my head. Men. )
Callan snorts. “We were together over the summer.”
“You think that’s enough?” Lindsay tuts. “I wish you were all back here.”
“Maybe we will be when Cole retires,” Mia says with a small smile. “At least, more than now.”
Mrs. Abelman arches a brow. “What about the bar?”
I know Mia owns a sports bar in the city.
“I’ve hired staff to help manage the place. I want to travel on the road with Cole for as long as I can.”
Cole wags his eyebrows. “She can’t get enough of me.”
Mia punches his arm. “I want to see the US and Canada, Cole.” Then, she huffs. “With you.”
Smirking, he tugs her onto his lap and holds her close. “There, was that so hard to admit?”
“Your head’s already big enough.”
“I agree,” Callan grouches, but everyone ignores his tone because he’s running through lists on his tablet for the upcoming wedding.
He’s been a grouch since Cole and Mia asked him to organize the ceremony for them, and now that it’s a few days away, he’s in a killer mood.
Slouching back with a beer in one hand, Cody chuckles. “He’s always had a big head.”
“That’s right,” Lindsay agrees happily. “My obstetrician said it was uncommonly large.”
“Hey!” Cole bursts out as everybody breaks down laughing. Until he chimes in too, grinning like a loon.
There’s something ineffably effervescent about Cole. He’s cocky. Like I’d imagine every pro-sports player is. He knows his worth. But his family grounds him.
It’s really nice to watch actually—takes away the awe of him playing for my favorite team.
When Zee and I volunteer to grab snacky snacks for the group, she links arms with me on the way to the kitchen.
“How jealous are you of me and Mia sitting on Colt’s and Cole’s laps?”
I frown at her. “Shut up.”
“What’s there to shut up about? You’re the one keeping the world’s worst secret! Just sit on his damn knee.”
My cheeks flush. “I can’t.”
“Why can’t you?”
“I-I…”
She clucks her tongue. “I know you love him, Tee. You wouldn’t be this weird if it wasn’t love and you’re barely buzzing about sharing a roof with Liam Donnghal and?—”
“I’m just on edge.”
“Why? He’s been making cow eyes at you all night. That man’s ready to declare what he feels for you to the world.”
I close my eyes because I want the world to know too but… is she right? It’s clear to me that I’m dumb around Cody. What the hell was I thinking when I wanted to fake un-date him?
How do I tell him I want the world to know too?
And that I’d like to start with his family?
And what if he’s okay with keeping things on the DL?
And—
Zee sighs. She tugs me into a hug. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Not. When she studies me, I give her a quick squeeze. “Come on. They’ll be missing the snacks,” I mumble as she collects the sugar cookies she baked and I pick up two massive bowls of caramel popcorn that Mrs. Abelman must have made earlier.
The family get-together is much needed. Though I might be the odd one out to the others, they don’t make me feel that way. I’m as much a part of the furniture as they are. And it’s wonderful.
But Zee’s right.
It’d be better if I was sprawled on top of Cody’s knee…
One by one, the couples break off and go to their respective suites. Mrs. Abelman and Lindsay included.
Until Cody, Callan, and myself are left behind.
Callan barely notices until he asks, “Mia, what’s your preference for the band’s playlist?”
“Um, Baby Cowboy, she went to bed ten minutes ago,” I say dryly.
His eyes bug and he jumps up. “I need an answer now!”
“You’ll get a sightful if you do. I don’t think they’re discussing their vows,” Cody tacks on.
Baby Cowboy, in his infinite wisdom, storms off.
Despite my whimsical mood, I turn to Cody with a wicked glint in my eye. “Wait for it.”
He smirks. “Waiting.”
“Three…”
“Two…”
“ One. ”
“Callan! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING IN HERE?”
Both of us burst out laughing at Cole’s outraged shout, but Cody snags my hand in his and drags me onto his lap. We’re sitting, until we’re not. And he walks us away from Lindsay’s solarium and into his favorite den.
I nuzzle my face in his throat, scenting him and warmth and…
Home .
There’s no evading that truth.
Even if I’m scared.
When he plunks us down on ‘his’ couch and lies flat, he asks, “Wanna know why this is my favorite couch?”
“Sure,” I mumble as he tucks a blanket over me.
“Because you can watch the first flights of the morning as they cross over our land from Saskatoon Airport.”
“Pilot nerd.”
“You love it.”
“I do actually,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to his jaw.
A part of me wants to take this further. Another part is feeling… fragile.
I think it’s the wedding fever.
Or him almost getting shot.
I know we’re on the precipice of something but?—
He smooths his hand down my back. “Get some sleep, baby girl. Callan’s been running you ragged.”
That’s not a lie. I’ve been his unofficial PA and Zee’s unofficial makeup artist and Cody’s unofficial girlfriend for what feels like forever.
Huffing, I nestle into his side and try not to wonder why that makes my eyes water.
Unfortunately for me, I don’t hear him whisper, “Used to be that I’d watch those flights and dream about my future.” I don’t hear him chuckle either. “Never realized my future would be lying in my arms, falling asleep on me, just waiting to watch those same damn flights on the same damn couch... Funny how shit turns out, isn’t it, baby girl?”