Page 41 of The Score

Chapter 14

Bear

Being a man who grew up thinking of his wedding, this isn't how I imagined announcing my engagement would go.

I smirk. Nerves got the best of Pen, and she's laughing herself into a fit. Our friends remain frozen on their seats. Everyone watches us like we might still come out with a big surprise banner that reads, JUST JOKING!!! And all I manage to do is pat Pen's knee like she needs some soothing.

It takes her a moment to switch to soft chuckles, but eventually she does. Except for her, no one else makes a sound.

Pen dries away one single tear. "Should we wait for them to react and ask us a thousand questions, or go on with a toast?"

"So this is serious?" Dom asks.

"If so, we may need a couple of seconds to recover…" Evie tries. "Maybe several minutes."

"A toast may be a good start," Ames adds. "I'm still trying to process."

Her eyes are open wide on us, and darting from Pen to me like she's waiting for the next shoe to drop.

Barkley lets out a small yelp, confused by the energy among the group. Damián pets him again, reassuring him.

Saint is the only one that looks relaxed.

He lifts his glass asking for the toast. "We can sip as you explain how long you've been hiding your relationship. I'm betting on a year."

"Two," Dom says.

Saint nods. "We'll put it on the Hypersquare board as soon as my sisters get it done."

"We haven't been hiding anything," Pen says.

"We haven't, but let's not get distracted." I lift my glass, too. "I am genuinely happy for Evie and Logan, and Nat and Damián. So this toast is for them. Congratulations on your new statuses."

Everyone sips from their champagne.

"And this one," Bear raises his glass again, "is to ask you all to be our bridal party."

"Wow," Evie mutters. "This is really happening."

Pen nods. "We won't have a maid of honor or best man, as Leon and I would have chosen each other. But we want our friends around us."

"Yes, of course," they all say.

We all sip from our glasses again.

"So where is your chain?" Saint hooks a finger around his own to draw our attention to it. "The one holding your engagement ring."

"The rings are on their way from Norway," I say.

I sit next to Pen and put an arm around her.

My heart hasn't caught up to the moment. It beats fast, unsure if we're really getting away with everything. Maybe I'm still worried about everyone's reaction. Regardless, my heart keeps its fast rhythm, and waits.

"You guys are eerily quiet," I say.

"Okay, fine. I'll break." Saint gives us wide eyes. "What the fuck?!"

Pen laughs again. I pat her knee, and shake my head at her nervous reaction.