Chapter 42
Chapter Forty-Two
Penelope
Decker is adamant that he doesn’t want their week of away games to happen before we tell our friends that we’re together. I argued it might be fun to keep it to ourselves and sneak around for a while, but he said he wishes we could tell everyone, so he at least wanted to tell them.
Who am I to argue with a man who is so proud to tell everyone I’m his?
Peeper’s Alley isn’t very busy. Which is good. Thankfully, our friends were able to get babysitters when we asked for a no-kids night. Decker sent the group message, and I feel as if they probably all know what’s coming.
He already talked to Foster. The girls know about my feelings for Decker. I’m not really worried about telling them, although I’d prefer the news not to be broadcast anywhere else until Decker’s contract is secure.
Decker’s hand is snug in mine as we enter the bar. There are no Colts fans except the regulars at the bar who don’t pay us any attention. I wonder how much Ruby makes on nights like this. She must make up for it when the Colts are playing, and it’s wall to wall people in here.
I let him guide me through the empty pub tables, but instead of going into the backroom, he stops at the edge of the bar.
“Ruby, you know Penelope.”
She looks at us over the rim of her reading glasses since she’s doing the crossword puzzle in The Chicago Tribune.
“No, I just hit my head. Who is she?” She shakes her head and tosses her reading glasses and pen on the paper, pointing at the guys at the bar.
“Anyone fills in one box and you’re out.
” She makes her way to the end of the bar.
I like Ruby. She’s nice in her own little mean girl way.
But she’s sweet to Hazel every time she’s here, though she’s protective of the guys.
I know Decker’s brought me over here to tell her we’re a couple.
Suddenly, I feel as though I’m meeting his mother for the first time and not just his barkeep.
Then again, Ruby is so much more to these guys than just a bar owner.
She glances at our linked hands. “What do you want, a ribbon for getting your head out of your ass?”
“I just wanted you to know, she’s the reason… my mood the other day.”
He doesn’t have to elaborate. I’ve had so many days and nights when I thought this day might never come. He glances at me.
“I know. We all know. You’re the last one to figure it out.” She looks at me. “It’s same story, different player. It’s like they took too many balls to the head or something.”
I smile, but she doesn’t. Then again, I’ve never seen her smile when I think about it.
She cracks open my favorite lime seltzer and places in front of me.
“Well, it took—”
She pours a beer while Decker tries to explain.
“I don’t care to hear it. But way to go, you finally stepped out of your own way.
” She puts the beer down in front of Decker.
“And those aren’t on the house.” She walks back to where she left the paper but stops halfway.
“The rest of your group is ready for your declaration ceremony.”
Decker and I share a look, and both laugh.
She has a point. This does feel a little like a declaration ceremony, but it’s been such a long road for us, I don’t really care. I love that I’m able to walk into that room holding Decker’s hand. That I can sit in his lap, kiss him, touch him, and just be.
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.
“And mine,” I say. “Let’s remember my dad is away when all the guys are.”
Decker’s hand runs along my shoulder, and he slides a little closer.
Easton cracks up laughing watching it.
“What about Mom?” Foster says to Decker.
Decker looks from him to me. “I’d like you to meet her.”
I chuckle. “I’ve met her. She taught me how to make your favorite brownies, remember?”
“Yeah, but you haven’t met her as my girlfriend.”
I put my hand on his knee. “That is true.”
“She’s coming next week for a home game,” Foster says.
Decker leans in. “I’m not saying meet her so she can watch Hazel and you come to an away series. That’s too soon, but—”
“I’d love to.” I kiss his cheek.
“Oh, it’s so cute.” Leighton wipes her eyes. Hayes grabs a napkin and hands it to her. “Sorry, I’m really emotional.”
“Are you gonna get your period or something?” Callie asks.
Leighton doesn’t answer.
Easton throws a twenty on the table. “New Year’s Eve baby!”
“No way, Christmas.” Callie grabs her wallet and tosses cash on the table.
“Let’s all just hope she doesn’t go into labor during the playoffs,” Decker says.
Callie and Foster look at one another and smile.
“No one said she’s pregnant,” Hayes says.
“Okay.” Callie holds up two shots, one with water and one with alcohol. “Pick one.”
Leighton looks at Hayes, and he shrugs. She does an eenie meenie miney mo, then takes the water one and downs the shot.
Everyone shouts and gets up to congratulate them.
“Apparently, we have to fill every bedroom in our house,” Hayes says and kisses Leighton’s temple.
We all hug and congratulate them, taking shots to celebrate.
At the end of the night, I go upstairs with Decker to his condo, and we don’t make it past the foyer before he’s inside me and I’m screaming his name. Best night ever.