Epilogue
JUNIPER
“Go fish.”
“Who in the hell thought Go Fish would be an acceptable game to play?” Coach Leggins sneers, shooting daggers at my husband.
“The kids are finally asleep, Jack. It’s all we had. No complaints when kid-free time is sacred,” Kodi tells him, securing her new card.
“Yeah, Jack,” Gus enunciates his name. “Quit your bitchin’.”
“It was either this or Yahtzee,” Crew speaks up with his hands held high. For the first time this season, all of the wives, kids, and fiancés, have been able to make it to an away game at the same time.
Tonight, we’re in Savannah, Georgia.
It’s the end of summer, and the kids were dying to hit the resort pool after the game. We decided to make a night of it, us women figuring the guys would be exhausted after the afternoon game and ready to crash out.
That hasn’t been the case.
The whole gang has taken over the pool all afternoon until sundown, with endless water play, wearing the kids out. Perks of renting out a big section of resort rooms all close by, some with connecting room doors, making for the perfect excuse for the adults to stay up.
“Strikers win, and we celebrate with Go Fish,” Bodhi declares. “Make it make sense.”
“Nothing will ever make sense where all of us are concerned.” Tenley isn’t wrong. I’ve learned to always prepare for chaos, being a part of this group. But it’s my favorite kind of chaos, if I do say so myself.
We’re holed up in Jack’s suite, having bombarded him since we knew for certain he would try to be a hermit and avoid socializing. It seems like being forceful with our company is the only way that gets through to him.
I’ve come to really care about the reclusive and grieving coach. There’s much more to him than what meets the eye.
Since Crew and I have made things official, things have been more blissful than I ever thought possible. Our home renovations are finally complete, and now all that’s left to do is move ourselves out of Crew’s house and into mine—ours.
Addie already has her room colors picked out, no lie, requesting glitter on the ceiling and three-dimensional butterflies flying off the walls. I’m hopeful we can make that happen.
I expected getting into a groove with my work and Crew’s would be a bit of an obstacle to get used to at first, but it’s actually been great.
While he’s traveling for away games, I alternate with Hilary picking Addie up from school and doing all the things.
Dance, book club—my personal favorite to sit in on—and last I heard, Hilary enrolled her in a cooking class that starts next week.
I already know one-on-one pancake instruction is to come again in our near future. She’s a girl after my own heart.
I know I’ll never be to Addie what her mom is, nor would I ever want to interfere with that, but it’s a peculiar feeling loving a child as if she’s my own when she isn’t. In my heart of hearts, she feels like mine.
Just like her daddy does, too.
I’d lay down my life for the tiny queen of Emerald City and not think twice about it.
“Look at us…hanging out as friends,” King says, smiling wide and proud. “We never get to do this. It’s nice.”
“It is,” I add. “It’s hard to believe there was a time when I didn’t have any of you in my life.”
“That’s the farthest from a life I’d ever want,” Crew tells me with a kiss to my head as he sits. The coffee table is covered in cards, Solo cups, and random takeout we ordered.
Pretty sure each of us wanted something different, so we ended up ordering it all. I grab a truffle fry and shove it into my mouth before speaking again. “Kinda crazy, actually. It makes sense for you all to be friends, but I’m just the kid doctor. Nothing remotely comparable to baseball.”
“I think that’s what makes you perfect for us,” Tenley proclaims, making me soften. “You’re the perfect addition. Only someone special would ever do for our Crew and Addie girl.”
“That’s what I’m talkin’ about,” Crew agrees.
“You know…” Jack stammers. “Offer still stands if you wanna reconcile that? I’ve got an office with your name on the door. I can even guarantee a shiny new sign, Doc.”
Crew growls just slightly at Jack’s choice of nickname for me. It’s lessened with time; the protective caveman can’t be entirely perfect.
“You seriously trying to get rid of Dr. Laken?” Gus questions, laughing to himself as he shuffles the deck of cards.
“I’ve got no issues with Laken,” Jack answers, bearded face covered in nonchalance.
“That still doesn’t answer my question.” Gus loves putting people in their place, but Jack is a difficult one to break.
“What I’m saying is, we could use another female around Makers. I’m man enough to admit I appreciate a woman’s role in our field. They bring a level of expertise our arrogant asses can’t see. Especially in the medical sense.”
“Preach,” I chant, not at all agreeing to the job offer, but it’s nice to hear a man talk proudly about how capable we are as women. And in this sense, how capable I am.
From one professional to another, I appreciate that.
“Great, so you accept?” Jack counters. That was expected.
I laugh, jabbing my fork into a honey BBQ chicken tender and biting off the end. “Sorry, boss man. No can do.”
“Leave her alone about it, would you?” Crew intervenes. “I’m enjoying having her in the stands too much to have that change for work. Plus, it makes seeing each other at the end of the day that much sweeter.”
“Favorite part of my day.” I smile, pressing a kiss to his lips.
“So, anyways,” King changes the subject, his dramatic gag only making me want to give him something better to see. “Two months until the fundraiser, huh? Everything still going according to plan?”
Jack nods, tossing down his stack of playing cards, signaling the game is either over or at a pause.
“The rink just signed off on the vendor map and stage setup, which Tenley and I knew would be the biggest hold-up. Now that that’s in the clear, we still need to verify our sponsors booked months ago are still in and organize the player auction. ”
“The fun part.” King rubs his hands together. No surprise that the resident single is ready to be put to work by a woman willing. Or man. Not that he’ll have a choice.
Speaking of sponsors…
“I’d love the practice to sponsor the event if you still have room for me,” I tell Jack, hoping he didn’t forget about my contribution. I’ve already ordered anything and everything, along with meticulously saving for my donation.
“I already have you in the books.” Jack brings a water bottle to his lips.
Crew sends me a pleased look, and I know he appreciates what he sees. Water is good. That’s a step in the healthy direction. Still, to this day, I feel guilty about those beers we drank together. I had no idea how deep his addiction ran.
“Perfect.”
“And what about dates? I’m assuming it will be noted that all married players will be opted out of the auction?” Crew asks, likely asking for all of the husbands here.
Jack nods, rolling his eyes in the process. “You will not be required to auction yourself alone. However, I’m still undecided if those couples will be required to still participate one way or another. Maybe even charity services.”
“Not exactly a bad idea. Any way we can give back,” Crew replies.
Jack holds up his hand, urging him not to get carried away. “But hear me out, Briggs, you and Juniper may be a couple, but you’re not married. That’s the fallback.”
Oh goodness. The thought didn’t even occur to me. We’ve been living like couples do when they’re married; the notion that we aren’t never even crossed my mind.
“But we’re engaged,” Crew deadpans.
We are. And I still can’t believe it. Crew proposed the first night I was officially moved into his house. It was everything I could have hoped for. Intimate and true to us.
“Still not married.”
Crew cocks a brow, and his smirk does things to me. To my panties, specifically. “That can be arranged.”
I still. “You want to get married before then?” I ask him, not at all upset. Just surprised.
“Doesn’t matter if we do it now or six years from now, I’ll still marry you in a heartbeat.”
God, I love him.
“Okay, then it’s settled. Crew and I will get married before then. How? Not sure yet, but we’ll figure it out. That just leaves King, Jethro, Mack, and Jack…” I say, eyes dancing around the room to the only singles of our group.
Everyone, aside from Jack, cheers, excited to be a part of what is essentially a playboy auction.
“Coach?” Gus calls for his attention.
Jack gazes intently, transfixed on something on the screen of his phone. His eyes look tired and depleted of all life. It’s horrible what grief can do to someone. Especially someone who, from what I’ve been told, was once the life of the party.
“You’re single, too, Coach. Same goes, right?” Gus leads again.
One glance up is an answer in itself. “What kind of leader would I be, then? I’ve got an example to uphold.”
“I guess it’s settled, then. Briggs and Doc get married, and us singles prepare to be matched. Or should I say, bid on by a winning contender? Fuck heavens, please make her a her, who’s also dangerously pretty,” King bellows, unanimous laughter following.
“We’re getting married, baby,” Crew says to me kindly, and while I’m beyond excited, I can’t help but also be worried about Jack.
“We’re getting married!” I cheer.
Just when I think the moment has passed, the screen of Jack’s phone tilts toward me, revealing a picture I’m sure tears his heart in two.
Also one I’m not sure was meant for mine, but his eyes only.
It’s his late wife, Taylor…and their son.
THE END