Chapter Nine Distracted #2
“Same here,” Carson nods, his usually shaggy hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. His cheeks are flushed and his blue gaze bright. “Skyler is going with Grace and Rylee to see Stacey and the baby anyway.”
“I’m in too,” Jensen declares, tugging his jersey off.
“Me too.” Wilder says, while reaching up to undo the man bun on the top of his head to release his wild mane of curls. Guy has the body and style of Jason Momoa in Aquaman, but with a longer beard.
“Should we ask Owen if he wants to join?” Carson asks, furrowing his brow thoughtfully.
“We can always ask,” Jensen shrugs. “I doubt he comes, since he just went on paternity leave, and between caring for Stacey, Millie, and the newborn, he’s not going to go out anytime soon.”
“Fair,” Zander sighs. “Well, gotta take care of the family. Can’t be upset about that.”
“No, we sure can’t.” I open my locker and begin taking off my gear. “Still, I get the feeling he’s pretty happy missing out on a night with us to be with his wife and kids. I know he’s been feeling crazy protective of them since the birth.”
Carson snorts. “I mean, can you blame him? It’s not everyday your kid is born at a hockey arena.”
I’m glad Owen’s having the chance to be fully present for the new baby.
He had so much regret about not being around for Millie when she was born, and this is like a second chance for him.
After everything he and Stacey went through, he deserves the loving family life he’s found with her.
Of all the guys, I can relate to Owen the most since he’s from a wealthy background as well—and his situation is similarly messed up and awkward.
Jenson has that too, to some extent, but we haven’t really talked much about it.
Owen and I bonded quickly after he was traded, and even if I haven’t known him as long as any of the others, I feel closest to him…
well, second after Wilder, anyway. Which is funny, because Wilder and I don’t talk about this stuff, but there’s a mutual understanding there, and a history there, which goes deep as it gets.
Zander chuckles and nods, suddenly getting a wistful look on his face. “Yeah, I think I’ll feel the same way.”
I grin at him and imagine what he’ll be like as a new dad once Rylee gives birth to their baby.
She’s only five months along, but I can already imagine how doting and loving he’ll be.
He’s going to be great at it, I know. As caring and calm as he is to everyone around him already, taking care of his own child will be so natural for him.
Wilder and I stop to pick up beers on the way to Zander’s place.
We’re usually paired up like this. Makes sense, since we’ve known each other since college, long before meeting any of the other guys as they were brought into the Night Hawks.
I like Wilder because he’s contained…he speaks when he has something to say and doesn’t beat around the bush.
Not at all like the uptight assholes I grew up with who’d lie to my face than talk shit behind my back.
I never have to worry about Wilder doing that. He always calls me on my shit while holding my gaze.
By the time we arrive, the other guys have already fired up the PS5 and let out a cheer when we walk in.
The apartment is big, with an open concept between the kitchen, with its dark wood cabinets and marble topped island, dining room, and living room, where the guys are gathered in front of a huge flat screen hanging on the wall.
Looking around, I grin at the sight of unopened Target boxes of baby stuff leaning against the walls of the apartment.
One has a picture of a baby’s crib on the side, and another looks like a changing station.
Looks like Baby Caldwell is going to be living it up.
“Woohoo!” Carson exclaims. “We were starting to wonder if you guys got lost.”
“Or if you took off with the beers, leaving us high and dry,” Zander chuckles. “Come, sit! I ordered the pizza already. We’re just starting up Skyler’s new game.”
Wilder and I pass around beers and I crack mine open as I relax into the armchair I’ve claimed and feel like a weight is being lifted off my chest. With these guys, I can just be myself.
I don’t have to prove anything or act a certain way to fit in with them.
My wealth doesn’t matter, or the fact that I’ll be CEO of my family’s company someday.
I’m just a guy, hanging out with his friends, having a good time over beers and pizza.
As I join in on the game, I let out a low whistle at the graphics as the first zombie pops onto screen. “Holy shit. Skyler made this?”
“Yeah, she did,” Carson beams, clearly proud. “My girl is a fucking genius.”
“Dude! I’m dropping an ammo pack near you,” Zander calls out to me. “Get it! I need you to flank me.”
“Got it.” I swoop in and grab the packet his avatar has left me.
“Suppressing fire!” Carson yells as he shoots at a wave of incoming zombies attacking our group.
“Christ, you don’t have to yell that every time,” Jensen grumbles. “It’s not even suppressing fire! None of us are charging forward!”
“Eat dicks, zombie fucks!” Carson exclaims, totally ignoring Jensen.
“They might actually like that,” I chuckle. “A yummy yummy bag of dicks for the hungry zombies.”
“Zombies eat brains, jack-off,” Wilder insists.
“Zombies eat everything,” Carson interjects. “They aren’t wasteful. A bag of dicks would be like popcorn to them.”
“Can we please stop talking about bags of dicks?” Wilder mutters, his controller looking tiny in his monster hands. “It’s fucking morbid.”
“Yeah, dude.” I arch a brow and nod. “We’re talking zombies here. It’s all fucking morbid.”
We continue playing and chatting about nothing in particular for a few more hours before the front door of the apartment opens and Rylee, Grace, and Skyler come strolling inside. They’re chatting excitedly as they come into the living room.
“Hey, ladies,” Zander greets, pausing our game. “How’s Stacey and the baby?”
Grinning, Rylee slips into his lap and drapes one arm around his shoulders, flipping her long blonde hair over hers.
“They’re great! Little Henry is so damn cute, and Stacey was looking healthy and is recovering really well, especially given how dramatic and quick the birth was..”
“Oh, that’s good news,” Jensen says as Grace snuggles up next to him on the couch, blue eyes sparkling up at him as she kisses his cheek.
“We’re going to put some ready-to-cook meals together for them to hold them over for the next couple weeks,” she tells us.
Carson snorts, grabbing Skyler around the waist and pulling her down onto his lap before propping his chin on her shoulder. She pushes her glasses up her nose and snuggles into his embrace.
“I’m down to help make lasagnas,” he declares. “Better make a shit ton. With how much Owen can eat, you ladies better be prepared to cook for an army.”
Skyler chuckles and pats his cheek. “Don’t you worry your pretty little head. We’re very aware of how much all you beasts can eat. It’s like you’ve got black holes instead of stomachs.”
Carson gives her a squeeze and waggles his brows. “Haven’t heard you complain about my eating abilities before. Should we go home so I can remind you how ravenous I really am?”
“Ewwwww,” Rylee groans, then giggles. “Not when there are zombies on the TV!”
“Calm down, you horndogs,” Jensen chuckles, then looking up at Grace, asks, “You ready to go home?”
She shrugs and kisses the tip of his nose. “We can go whenever. I’m in no rush.”
It seems like the girls are here to stay, which pretty much means boys night is over.
It’s fine, and I like hanging out with the ladies, but I’m in such a weird place right now and don’t know if being around all these lovey-dovey couples is good for me.
Maybe I should go to élysée and blow off some steam.
Thinking about finding a girl at the club, though, doesn’t really appeal to me, which is weird.
I suppose I’m so consumed with my family bullshit that I’m just not feeling it.
I can’t let my asshole little brother get the best of me, and the stress of that leaves little room for anything else in my mind.
The truth is, whenever I think about hooking up, I picture Sutton.
If only she’d agreed to my proposition. Our night together was so good, and our chemistry so undeniable, that a pretend relationship with her wouldn’t be the worst thing.
We wouldn’t have sex, because that would make things way too complicated, but I think we’d get along really well.
Plus, she’s already friends with all these weirdos, so I wouldn’t have to worry about her getting along with everyone.
Even though the engagement wouldn’t be real, she’d be fun to spend time with. We could be genuine friends, and maybe even have more nights like the one we spent together in California.
Plus, the guy she’s supposed to marry is a fucking creep and the thought of him anywhere near her makes my blood boil. If only she’d said yes…
“Oh my gosh!” Rylee suddenly exclaims. “I forgot to tell you guys!”
Grace’s eyes widen and she laughs. “I forgot too, but I need to ask Carson…”
“Ask me what?” Carson frowns.
“Sutton is coming to town!” Rylee cries, throwing her arms up. Zander quickly catches her before she goes tilting back off his lap. “She called while you guys were at practice and we said she could stay at Grace’s old place!”
“My place,” Carson grumbles.
Skyler chuckles. “Whatever, it’s going to continue being a revolving door, so you can’t get rid of it.”
“How long’s she staying for?” Zander asks.
“No idea.” Rylee shrugs, that wide smile still in place. “She sounded super excited, though, and I think it’s something work-related. Who cares? She’s coming to Denver!”
Sutton is coming to Denver, huh? A rush of excitement moves through me, but I’m careful not to let it show.
Still, what are the odds? I was just thinking about her…
though honestly, I haven’t stopped thinking about her since California.
The image of her in her gorgeous gown, looking like a fucking queen at the gala is seared in my mind.
Now she’s coming here, as if I’ve somehow summoned her through sheer will and desire.
“When will she get here?” I question, keeping my tone innocently curious.
“Thursday night,” Grace answers. “Before your guys’ game. We’re going to pick her up before heading to the stadium.”
As the girls continue talking about Sutton’s arrival, I sink back into my chair, my mind churning as a plan starts to form. It looks like I have a second chance to convince her to accept my proposal, and this time, I’m going to do everything I can to make sure she says yes.
First, though, I need to be better prepared. Even a fake engagement needs a diamond to seal the deal.
Looks like I have a little shopping to do.