Page 203 of Play Along

“Congrats, you two.” Indy sits forward, elbows on the table and chin in her hands, beaming at us like the romantic she is.

“Thanks, Ind,” Kennedy says, wrapping an arm around my neck. “We’re so glad you all could make it and help us recreate our first one.”

Zanders looks between us. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

“I’ve got to know,” Ryan says. “Was the Elvis impersonator there the first time?”

“Couldn’t tell you,” Kennedy and I answer at the same time.

“Guys. Look at them.” Stevie nods towards the dance floor beside us.

All our attention swings to the completely empty dance floor minus the four little ones dancing together in a circle they’ve created. Max is the oldest and most coordinated so far, holding Taylor Zanders’ hand in one and Iverson Shay’s in the other. Iverson’s got the hand of his sister, Navy, on the other side and she’s connected with her cousin.

They’re fucking cute out there in their little suits and fancy dresses.

“That will be you one day too, baby girl,” Kai says to a sleeping Emmy on his chest.

Miller’s got her head on his shoulder, her fingers toying with the ends of his hair as she watches Max with his friends.

“Cute tiny humans, we get it,” Rio says. “But let’s make this about me for a second.”

I can feel Kennedy’s silent laugh against my chest as she sits in my lap, head resting back on my shoulder as our wedding reception begins to wind down.

“Seriously, when is it my turn? Look at you guys.” Rio gestures around the table. “You’re all wifed up and I’m over here, twenty-seven and still looking.”

“Four out of five,” Kai adds. “One to go. It’ll happen soon, Rio.”

“Well, they better be fucking great, making me wait this long to meet them.”

“What if it’s someone you’ve already met and you have no idea?” Ryan asks.

“Nah,” Rio brushes him off. “I can’t think of a single person I already know that I’d be remotely interested in.”

Zanders shakes his head. “You are the pickiest guy I know while also being the thirstiest. It’s the strangest combination. It’s no wonder you’re single.”

“This is the year. It’s happening. And Cody and Travis just need to stay in their lane and be single because I swear to God if I have to attend another wedding without a date...” Rio shakes his head. “Well, then I just won’t come.”

“Wow,” Indy laughs. “Very threatening.”

“You all should feel threatened. You’d all be bored as hell without me around.”

The conversation continues, but I’m not listening. I’m focused on the auburn-haired girl currently curled in my lap.

I press my lips to the skin under her ear, feeling her shiver against me.

I hold her tighter before my eyes meet Kai’s. One hand holding his daughter, the other holding a beer, resting on Miller’s thigh. He lifts his beer to me across the table.

I nod, the two of us having a silent conversation acknowledging how fucking blessed our lives have turned out to be. What was once just the two of us is now this massive family, some blood-related, some not.

Most important to me is the one on my lap, wearing my mother’s ring.

Leaning my head against hers, I whisper, “Thanks for marrying me, Kenny.”

It’s been a common phrase I haven’t been afraid to voice over the past two years.

She turns to look at me, warm brown eyes tracing my face before running a fingertip over the birthmark by my eye. “And which time are you referring to?”

I press my lips to hers. “Both.”

THE END