Chapter 20 Jensen #2
We maybe should have considered Dex and Lucie’s wedding might not be the best place for everyone to see that for the first time. But what was I going to do? Send out a text that says, “Oh, hey, Beck and I are going to try out a roommate-with-benefits situation, everyone be chill about it.”
Callie bites back her smile…let’s just see if she can bite back a comment.
“Well, first, I most definitely lost count of how many candles I lit. And second, they’re all in hurricane vases, so all fire jokes can stop now.
” She eyes Will. “I followed Olsson’s rules, and I have like three fire extinguishers hidden around. ”
Will holds up a hand in defeat. “I stopped when my plans for after this were threatened, Blaze. But also, are we just going to ignore what’s happening here?”
Beck doesn’t miss a beat. “It’s Dex and Lucie’s wedding, dumbass.”
My hand comes to my mouth to stop my laugh. Oh, hell, Will’s gonna kill him one of these days, I swear.
Callie’s lips fold tightly together as she takes Will’s hands. “Okay, come with me, babe. We’re gonna walk away.”
“Gah, I love pissing him off.” Beck chuckles then steps in front of me. “I think we both know we won’t be able to keep this situation a secret, but I’m fine if you want to try.”
Keeping it between us does seem like it will be nearly impossible. Not to mention part of what I think will make this work is that it’s just us playing into our attraction.
Hiding it from our friends would be the smarter move, but Beck’s right. It won’t stay a secret, maybe just letting them all know about it will help them get the idea of us out of their system too.
“No, hiding feels redundant, but maybe we don’t come out and say it tonight, though.”
Beck shrugs off his coat then reaches for mine. “I’m going to hold these for now to keep something in my hands. Dex and Lucie just got here, and anything we do in front of them is going to be called out point blank.”
I take a deep breath preparing for that. Lucie’s called me on my bullshit about Beck enough. “She’s going to hate this arrangement between us, and I’m not entirely sure she’d love my response of beggars can’t be choosers.”
Beck’s smile grows. “Dex is absolutely going to kick my ass over it. Unlike Callie, Lucie won’t stop him, will she?”
“Nuh-uh, but hey, this is their wedding, surely they don’t care that much about us today?”
Beck gives me a look and I wave him off. “I heard it. Just come on, let’s go say hi real quick.”
With people already starting to crowd them, I really thought Luce might just wave and move along with whatever Callie and Emma have planned, but no. She breaks away the moment she meets my eyes.
She looks absolutely beautiful in a simple white silk dress, and with what I’m sure was a joint decision—yellow heels.
But before either Lucie or Dex can reach us, Miles is barreling toward Beck. Our coats are dropped onto the floor as Beck scoops Miles right up. “What’s up, All-star?”
Miles snickers, holding his hand over his mouth. “I have a secret. Daddy says I can’t tell anyone.”
That’s all the challenge Beck needs.
He feigns his hand over his heart. “But Miles, you can tell me—”
“Miles, don’t, baby,” Lucie chastises in the sweetest voice before pulling me into a hug. “Jensen, you look so beautiful.”
Her hug hits me right in my soul. “Me? Luce, you look breathtaking.”
Dex comes up behind her pulling her into his arms. “Yeah, she does.”
“Isn’t it bad luck or something for the groom to see his bride?” I tease Lucie.
She rolls her eyes. “I think we’ll survive. We actually have some news to share.” She turns to Dex. “Which, we should probably go ahead and get out of the way before you-know-who spills the beans again.”
Lucie doesn’t even get a nod to Miles before Dex is stealing him back from Beck. “Come on, bud. Let’s get this party started.”
As Lucie starts to follow behind, she gives me a scrunched nose smile. “I bet he doesn’t make it all the way through.”
I raise an eyebrow to Beck. “Do you know anything about this?”
Beck shakes his head. “Can’t say I do.” Picking up our coats, he drapes them over one forearm then slides his hand to the small of my back. “Come on, it seems like we’re in for a little surprise.”
At the back of the entryway, Dex lets out an ever-classic dad whistle to get everyone’s attention.
“You know, when Olsson said we could turn the team’s Thanksgiving dinner into a wedding, I was thinking a few flowers, maybe we dressed up just a little.
Mine and Lucie’s families would tag along…
nothing too crazy. I should have known you fuckers have no chill. ”
“I think the commissioner’s trophy should have reminded you of that,” Adam yells, which gets him a good laugh and agreements from the team.
Dex shakes his head. “Needless to say, when Emma and Callie showed up to our house with a damn binder, compromises had to start being made. Lucie and I did officially get married at City Hall this morning to save everyone from sitting through a ceremony.”
A few people start to boo, and Beck and I join in. Lucie flashes me a smart-ass look, but I just stick my tongue out at her.
Dex holds up his hand. “I get it, I get it. Relax, we still want to celebrate with you guys. I’ve got one better for you if you’d all just be quiet for the first time in your lives.
” Tugging Lucie closer to him, she places one hand on him and the other on Miles.
“Luce and I couldn’t be more grateful for you all.
When this past season started, I didn’t know what to expect, and if we’re being honest I wasn’t too excited for it.
But then these fuckers from Seattle get traded—”
“You’re fucking welcome,” Will yells.
Beck leans close and whispers, “Wait for it.”
“I don’t want to hear it,” Adam adds.
“So predictable,” I whisper back.
Lucie’s face starts to turn bright red as she shakes her head.
Miles’s hands go up and yells, “That’s too many curse words! The babies can hear you!”
Wait…what?
I lean in to Beck and whisper, “Did he just say babies?”
“I think he did, but he’s also five.” Beck seems just as confused as I am and holds a finger up.
Dex lets out a heavy sigh. “As grateful as I am for this team and to be playing with you all again, I can’t wait to see my beautiful wife in the crowd with Miles and our twins.”
Holy shit.
Lucie pulls some sonogram pictures out from Dex’s pocket.
“Holy fucking shit,” Beck mutters next to me.
My hands rub my temples. “Oh there are so many Daddy Dex jokes coming to me.”
At least twenty of us all start to close in on them to get a look at the photos and to celebrate, but then Miles holds out his hands again. “Red light!”
You best believe we all freeze at that very moment.
Lucie starts to laugh. “We’ll be here all night. Everyone will get to look at the photos, and I can assure you there’s two.” She looks at Dex. “We asked for confirmation…a lot.”
Olsson comes up to clap Dex’s back. “Well, we’re all so happy for you. We could always use some more kiddos in the stands. Now, things we didn’t let Dex compromise on, open bar and dancing after we eat. Everyone, take your seats, you can congratulate the couple after.”
While everyone else seems to follow Olsson’s request, I’m pretty sure us girls are on our own wavelength.
I reach for Lucie’s hand first. “Two babies?”
Slight fear might be showing in both of our eyes, but there’s an overabundance of happiness there too. I know deep in my gut that Lucie is meant to be a mom, twins somehow only feels fitting.
“Two babies.” She nods, handing me the sonogram.
Callie and Emma come to each side of me.
“Oh my word, two little Larsens!” Callie squeals.
“Are they identical or fraternal?” Emma asks next, leaning deeper into me to get a better look.
Lucie laughs. “Fraternal. It’s way too early for the genders. Well, I could do the blood test in a few weeks, but right now, I’m still wrapping my head around there being two of them.”
Reagan reaches for the pictures next with tears in her eyes. “Twins? Lucie, I have got to be prepped for these types of announcements! Here Will and I are, saying no to kids and you’re going to have two!”
Callie claps her hands. “Oh, I can’t wait to spoil the shit out of these kids. All of them, whoever has them. This is my and Will’s official start of competition to be the favorite aunt and uncle.”
“Will’s going to have to fight Beck on that one.” I say it. I hear it. I know what I’ve started.
Lucie takes my hands. “We’re in the same room as him but I don’t care. I need details. I could barely focus on the announcement with you two whispering in each other’s ears.”
“They’ve had small touches since they got here,” Callie adds.
“Non-sexual touches, let’s get some perspective.”
Reagan doesn’t look up from the picture or lower her voice even a smidge when she says, “They hooked up in the store yesterday.”
Oh. My. Fuck.
Emma, Callie, and Lucie don’t let that slide by quietly.
“They what?” Lucie squeals.
Callie hits Emma’s arm. “I told you something was up.”
My heart’s beating out my damn chest. I didn’t think about cameras there…I swore she didn’t come in at all…during it, but I guess I was distracted.
“For all that’s holy, be quiet. Also, how did you know that?”
Reagan snorts a laugh. “I didn’t until just now. But I had a hunch, you two reeked of sexual tension.”
Fuck my life.
Lucie squeezes my hand. “So it’s true? Why didn’t you tell me?”
I take a quick glance around the room and while most people aren’t truly paying much attention to us, my eyes find Beck’s. He tips his drink to me with a wink.
Yeah, he knows exactly what we’re talking about right now.
“Now’s really not the time to get into the details, but we’re sort of trying this roommates-with-benefits thing. It’s not a big deal—”
“Not a big deal,” Lucie parrots. “You’re out of your mind. I may not be as shocked as when I heard two heartbeats in my stomach but this is pretty high up there.”
Callie scrunches her nose. “Just roommates with benefits? Nothing more?”
“It’s a tale as old as time,” Emma sing-songs, and I smack at her side.
Reagan finally releases the sonogram back to Lucie. “Oh, come on, let her live. So what if he’s not her forever. A girl’s got to eat.”
Lucie lets out an exasperated sigh bringing her fingers to the bridge of her nose. “Well, I get that, but—okay, you know what? I’m on board.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Just like that? This is a temporary thing between us, Luce, you get that right?”
She nods with a forced smile. “Whatever happens, happens.” She takes a small step back. “I’m going to go process this information really quickly then we’ll come back to it.”
Callie chuckles softly. “You broke poor Lucie.”
Emma sighs. “She had you and Beck on her vision board.”
I turn my head to her with a smirk. “Think she’ll replace me with you and Tripp?”
Emma’s face sours. “Rude.”
Reagan snorts a laugh. “She’ll be fine. I’m just glad whatever you two did got you to agree to our little joint venture. I’m having a contractor come in sometime next week, let me know your days off from Winedown and we can make a plan on what needs to be done in your room.”
“I’m off Tuesday and most mornings.”
“Okay, cool, I’ll text you.” Reagan nods then steps over to her girlfriend before taking their seats.
I can practically feel Callie and Emma’s anticipation.
“I’ve got to ask,” Callie starts, “Is he really pierced?”
“If so, where exactly is it? Is there more than one?” Emma adds on.
Christ, these two.
I can’t say I blame them for their curiosity, even though I’d prefer they didn’t ask them in a room full of his teammates, but unfortunately, I’m still asking myself the same questions.
I’m already backing away from them as I hold my hands up. “I’m so not talking about this right now.”
“Party pooper,” Callie scolds.
I simply give her a shrug. “Sorry. Girls’ brunch topic—if you’re lucky.”
Emma laughs but still doesn’t lower her voice. “You mean if you’re lucky.”
Ah, hell, I walked right into that one.
Spinning around, I march right over to the empty seat next to Beck and try not to notice any of the players now looking my way after Emma’s comment.
“How much shit did they give you, Killer?” Beck pulls my chair closer to his.
“Enough,” I huff out. “I’d say the conversation isn’t over by a long shot either.”
Beck takes a sip of his drink with that cocky smirk on his face. ‘I’m sure I’ll be up next.”
“Oh yeah, I’m sure the guys will be a lot more relentless than the girls,” I say sarcastically.
Beck snorts. “Fair. Dex will be the worst about it, but then you have Lucie to deal with.” Beck carefully brushes some of my hair behind my back then trails his hand softly down my spine. “Does your ‘don’t ask me if I’m sure’ remark still stand?”
My eyes cut to him with a smirk. “It still stands.”