Chapter 69 Kennedy
kennedy
“Drinks on the house for the Stanley Cup Champion Riders!” Walt yells as the boys file in with the Cup.
They’ve been up all night partying, going to various bars in Milwaukee, and being treated like the royalty they are.
I was lucky enough to go home and get some rest after an extremely long day.
Jordan refused to let me stay by myself, so Maggie invited Olivia and me to her place for a sleepover.
Before we left the arena, though, I finally got the chance to meet all of Jordan’s family after the game.
They are the loveliest people in the world, and I can’t wait to get to know them more.
Even more than that, I’m excited to tell them, along with my own family, that we are starting one of our own.
But right now, my focus is all about celebrating this team. More specifically, Jordan. My boyfriend. My partner. My love.
They parade the Cup through the bar and set it on a giant table in the middle of all of us.
Everyone tells me this is the most difficult trophy to win in all of sports, and yet—it seems to be at home here.
The wood paneling on the bar and the year-round multi-colored Christmas lights found in nearly every Milwaukee bar give a feeling of history.
The things this bar has seen, the things this trophy has seen, all seem to mesh together like it was meant to be here all along.
I can relate.
My heart flutters as my boyfriend drops into the seat next to me. Despite the fact that he’s barely able to stand upright, I still want to hold onto him and never let him go.
But, if I’m being honest, he could maybe use a shower.
“It’s 11 in the morning, pretty-boy, how many drinks have you had?”
“Kenni, baby…I’m…I forgotten…forgetting…” He lets out a deflated sigh. “I lost count. All I know is I almost lost you yesterday, and now I’m losing count of drinkies.”
I can’t help but laugh at his ridiculous, drunk speech.
This is the first time I’ve seen him hammered.
I would normally be irritated, but as all the other WAGs clued me in, this is what they do when they win the Cup.
Party hard all night, then crash hard. There will be a parade in a few days, and the whole town will celebrate, but right now, these guys are a bunch of drunken fools.
Walt’s was the first and last stop on this tour of debauchery, and we WAGs get the distinct privilege of driving all their drunk asses home.
I couldn’t be any happier.
“Kenni…I’m gonna just lay my head on your shhhoulder for a minute. I’m sooo tired,” Jordan mumbles as he collapses into me.
“Okay, you do that.” I snort as soft snores rumble in my ear. “I think maybe it’s time we head home.”
He jolts up. “Not yet! I gotta ask Maggie something,” he says, reaching across the table toward her. “Did Kenni tell you we got kidnappered?”
Neither Maggie nor I can hold back our cackles, our grins identical as our eyes lock.
“Yes, Jordan, she told me what happened. I’m glad you’re both alive.”
“Me too,” he slurs, leaning back against my shoulder. “Baby, I love you so much. You have my baby, okay?”
I gasp. I try to play it cool, patting him on the arm and hoping no one heard. “Yes, JJ, we’ll have babies someday.”
“Nooo, Kenni. You have my baby now. Like…nine months. You already have my baby. It’s right here,” he says as he pats my belly.
Oh shit.
It’s loud in here, and everyone else is involved in other conversations, which means no one noticed Jordan’s confession.
Except for one person. Maggie. Of course, she heard it and is looking right at me, her eyes wider than I’ve ever seen.
I return her look with a pleading stare, silently begging her not to say anything.
She nods with a wicked smile and a silent, I told you so.
I roll my eyes. She was right. Why are my friends always right about this shit?
Honestly, I’m glad they were right and even more glad to have them in my life.
Maggie, being my neighbor, led me to this amazing group of friends.
My being the Riders’ pilot led me to the incredible, but very drunk, man on my shoulder.
And fake dating him is what led to us embarking on a lifelong journey together.
I cheers Maggie, knowing my friends were probably right about another thing—Jordan already has a ring.
Not the Championship one, he’ll get this fall, but one for me.
I can feel it in my gut. And when he asks, my answer will be yes.
This ridiculously handsome, kind-hearted man, stole a piece of my heart he gets to keep forever.
Resting my cheek against his sweaty hair, I can’t believe how my life has changed.
Jordan can have the whole damn thing because he’s given me his in return.
The only person we’ll ever be sharing with is the little one that’ll be making their appearance next year.
As we head to the car, I can’t help but think about what’s in store for us.
Car seats, strollers, diapers, late-night feedings.
And with two really crazy jobs, we’ll have to figure some things out.
It’s too overwhelming to think about now, but we’ll make it work.
I’m not worried at all, honestly. The way we were so in sync yesterday, teaming up to defeat evil, I know our kids are going to have the best parents ever.
If we can survive Angelica and Chadd, I know we can survive angsty teenagers.
I cringe, glancing at the man by my side.
I may regret that statement in about 15 years.
“Come on, pretty-boy, let’s get you home.”
“I love you, baby. I love you so much.”
“I love you too, JJ.”
I squeeze his fingers, my body exhausted, but my heart full.
This has been my dream for as long as I can remember.
Having a husband, a family, and a place to always hang my scarf.
I can fly solo, but since meeting him? I never want to do life alone again.
It’s funny—I always pictured Jordan with his head in the clouds.
A dreamer. A performer. A complete goofball.
And me? I’m the pilot. Serious. Focused.
Always in the air and in control. Yet, somehow, he’s the one who keeps me grounded. It’s more than I ever imagined.
It’s everything.