36. Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Six
Paul
“Just breathe,” I whisper as I reach for Andre’s hand, giving it a squeeze. Rylee shifts in the seat next to me, trying to get the best angle to look out of the window so she can see all the tiny homes and neighborhoods from this high up. She lets out a long sigh.
“I am breathing,” he says. “That’s the problem. I’d rather be sleeping.”
I hear Amelia laugh behind us as Sean’s very loud snore echoes and the kids laugh, swatting at each other through the sliver of space between the window seats.
“Bold of you to assume we’ll even have a moment to sleep, knowing Alex. He probably has a whole itinerary from the minute we touch down until we take off again.”
Dre gives me a knowing glare.
“I know,” he groans.
The last two years have been a lot for all of us; first with Austen and Cameron getting married, and then Alex and Mack shocking the hell out of everyone and announcing their engagement on the heels of Alex’s retirement and his new hockey camp.
Hudson and Trey—who nearly turned Austen’s wedding into a soap opera—even moved in together and got a dog.
When Rylee and Maddox found out, it was all Dre and I heard about for months.
They still bring it up sometimes, but until things calm down with my new job coaching the high school football team—yes, Dre’s former position—I don’t know if I’m ready for two kids, a hamster, and a dog.
Oh, and of course a pig, cow, and a cat.
The hamster is unfortunately real and not another one of Rylee’s stuffies. Someone brought the little furball home, and that’s how we ended up with Roary. I still think it was Rylee’s idea, but Maddox swears it was his.
“I still can’t believe they’re getting married,” Amelia says. “I thought they hated each other.”
I can’t help the laugh that escapes me as Andre lets out another deep breath as the pilot comes over the loudspeaker, announcing our descent.
“So did we,” I say.
“Dad?” Rylee pokes me.
“Yeah, princess? What’s up?”
“Can we go see the castle?”
“Absolutely, we can get dinner there.”
“Tonight we have dinner at that place in Paris,” Dre says. “Remember?”
Right, I totally forgot…
“We can go Sunday,” he says. “Before we head home.”
He gives her a soft smile, and I can’t help smiling too. We all lose our grins when the plane touches down, jolting us all, but at least the kids are laughing.
Andre falls into my space, and I tighten my grip on his hand.
“Can you believe it’s been ten years since we’ve been here?” I ask, thinking about how much has changed.
“Seems like it was just yesterday.” Dre says, looking back at me.
It really does.
If it wasn’t for Alex insisting on paying for us to fly first class, we probably would’ve been stuck on the plane longer.
The minute we get off, I text Trey to let him know we’re here, since he and Hudson were flying in today, too. Of course Austen, Cam, and some of their family have been here since yesterday, getting everything ready for the ceremony tomorrow.
I would have thought an impromptu Vegas wedding would be, you know, not pre-planned, but then again, knowing Alex, it’ll be a big thing even if it’s a small guest list.
Somehow, we manage to get everyone’s luggage, get an Uber, and get to Caesar’s on time to check in without any issues, which is a miracle. When we get to the room—well rooms, considering our room and the kids’ room are adjacent to ours, and Amelia and Sean are two rooms down.
Dre collapses on the bed, groaning in relief.
“Just leave me here,” he moans. “Please. Planes are so uncomfortable. My back is killing me.”
Rylee and Maddox take off for the joining room, and I hear them yelling and arguing about who gets the bed by the window. I think they’re doing rock paper scissors for it.
I jump onto the bed next to Dre, leaning back against the headboard and cross my ankles.
“Not a chance,” I say with a laugh, but I shut my eyes.
“How long do we have until dinner?” He groans, and I can tell he’s already starting to fade.
I open my eyes, pull out my phone and check the time.
“Three hours until all hell breaks loose.”
Dre settles on his elbows, shifting upwards and looks up at me with a tired but very attractive grin.
“I win!” Rylee screams as Maddox’s sigh of defeat echoes in the air.
“Sounds like it already did,” I tease him and he leans up, grasping my jaw, bringing me to his lips for a long, sweet kiss that has me feeling that swarm of butterflies I always get when he kisses me.
When we break away, I lean back and close my eyes for a few minutes, the smile on my face genuine.
“By the way,” I mutter, my voice low so the kids don’t hear me. “I might have gotten all of us tickets tomorrow afternoon…”
Dre groans. “Tickets to what?” But I hear the humor in his voice.
“Cirque De Soleil. Duh.”
Dre’s soft fuck you warms my heart.
I can’t wait to see Rylee’s and Maddox’s faces when they see the show.
Or Dre’s when he realizes I’m not kidding.
Because I know he’s going to find some way to get me back and I can’t wait to see what it is.