Page 38 of Ruin The Friendship
I tap him on the shoulder. “Ready, Addy?”
He takes his headphones out, and a song I can’t place plays loudly for a moment before he shuts it off.
“Yes,” he replies, pocketing his phone and headphones.
If I had to guess, I would say he’s nervous to go out with us, but I’ve taken him under my wing this week. As I’ve gotten to know our new Norwegian goalie a bit more, I have to say, I’m excited to call him my friend.He’s so laid back, but at the same time, you can tell he’s working hard to make a good impression.
We head out of the locker room, saying goodbye to some staff as we do, and find our friends and family in the hall waiting for us.
The sight of Lydia smiling as she talks with Grace sends a thrill down my spine. She looks as gorgeous as always, with her curls popping out of the bottom of her hat, and in the jersey with my name on it. A zing of excitement hits me as I realize that soon I’ll be buying baby clothes with my name on it for the little ladybug inside of her. I can’t stop picturing a sweet little girl who looks just like her mom, or a little boy with brown curls that fall into his face.
Without hesitation, I stride to her, opening my arms and enveloping her in a hug. The way my body melts into hers should be studied. Everything about her is home to me.
“Missed you,” I whisper.
“You too.”
I don’t get a chance to say anything more as Adam marches over. Mabel opens her arms, and he sinks into them, letting her hold him for a moment. It’s cool how close Adam and his twin, Zoey, are to the Miller family. From what I understand, the Millers practically took Zoey and Adam in when they were in high school.
Zoey sneaks in beside them, and when it’s finally her turn to hold her brother, they both hold tight and don’t let go. I suppose maybe they haven’t seen each other for a long time, since Adam lives in Colorado full-time.
Grace and Calvin hug, and we chat for a few minutes before we head across the street to one of the bars we frequent after games.
There are cheers when we walk in, and a few boos once they spot Adam among us, but mostly, everyone is excited tosee us. My arm is wrapped around Lydia’s shoulders, holding her close to me as we head back to find a table big enough for all of us.
I’m still wrapping my mind around Lydia being pregnant. It changes things, sure, but not in a bad way. I want to see where we can go. I just need to figure out how to bring it up to her authentically.
Lydia sits across the table from me, next to Zoey and Adam, and I fight the urge to sit beside her. I mean, of course, she doesn’t have to be by me all the time, but we haven’t seen each other all week. I want to spend time with her.
Trigg is on my right, while Grace and Calvin are on my left. Zoey and Lydia are all smiles as they talk about something, but I’m only focused on her. This urge formorecontinues to take over every fiber of my being. Our friendship has always been incredible, but there’s the underlying question of ‘what if?’
There’s no doubt in my mind that we could be amazing together. When she friend-zoned me all those years ago, I was content to keep her any way I could. I spent years watching from afar, cataloging every detail about her: the way her nose crinkles when she’s trying to lie, or the way she falls asleep every time we try to have a Star Wars marathon, then complains that I didn’t wake her up. I couldn’t, though, not if I wanted to risk the wrath of a grumpy Lydia.
A nudge in my side pulls me from my thoughts. I glance to my left, where Grace is, a sly grin on her face.
“What?” I lift my eyebrows.
Grace glances across the table, her gray eyes narrowing on Lydia. She subtly jerks her chin to her. I repeat myquestion, knowing she can see right through me. If she’s talked to her brother, she knows.
She leans in close, whispering, “So, how are we going to get you your girl?”
Yeah, Calvin totally told her.
Those two are the worst at keeping secrets from each other, I’ve learned. One time, Calvin wanted my help planning a surprise party for Grace’s twenty-fifth birthday. We planned it at their parents’ lake place, and everything was going off without a hitch until Calvin got too excited and spilled the beans a week before the party. Grace didn’t care. She was more excited to have a party with everyone, but it just goes to show that the man cannot keep a secret. Honestly, I’m impressed he kept my feelings for Lydia to himself for as long as he has.
I run my hands down my face and take a drink of my pop. “I don’t know. Do you have any ideas?”
“Well, you’re in this for the long haul, right? She has a baby on the way.”
“Of course, I am. The baby is as much a part of my life now as it is hers. I’m going to be there for both of them, no matter what.”
I glance at Lydia again. She’s talking animatedly with Zoey and Adam, her eyes bright. She is the light in my life, more so than I think she knows.
Grace nods, pushing her blonde hair out of her face. “Good. I’d dick punch you if you weren’t on board.”
I grimace, scooting an extra inch away from her, holding myself back from covering my dick with my hand to protect it. As scary as it is, I appreciate that Lydia has people looking out for her.
“Noted.” I confirm with a nod, and a realization hits me. “Wait, when didyou find out?”
