Page 56 of Cross Check

“What a night!” I yell in the middle of the crowded street. “Mav and Emmy are eloping! Liam broke the record for most saves in a game! I love my life! Viva Las Vegas!”

“Maybe no more alcohol for you.” Riley pries the fruity drink from my hold and drops it in a nearby garbage can. “Hudson is doing his best to keep everyone in line, but the poor guy can’t do it all himself.”

“Hey.” I squint at the skyline in front of us. The world sways under my feet. “Is that the Eiffel Tower?”

“One of my favorite positions in bed,” Ethan slurs, and he nearly stumbles. “Have you tried that one, G?”

“I don’t even know what we’re doing out here. We could be back at the hotel watching a movie.” I gasp and look at Riley. “You know what’s a good movie? A Muppet’s Christmas Carol. Can we watch that later tonight, Mitchy? Please, please, please?”

“Sure thing, G. As soon as we get back to the hotel, I’ll track down a copy for you.”

“You’re such a good friend.” I rest my head on his shoulder and loop an arm around his waist. “You and those slutty glasses of yours.”

“Listen up!” Maverick points to the wedding chapel up ahead. “We’re about to go in there.”

“I still can’t believe this is happening.” I let go of Riley and sprint to Emmy, lifting her off the ground. “I’m so happy for you two.”

“Thanks, G.” She laughs when I set her down. “We couldn’t do it without our closest friends.”

“We’re going to have a real ceremony back home at some point. We want Emmy’s dad and my buddies to be involved, but tonight felt like the right night to make it official.”

“I still don’t understand why we had to come along,” Liam draws out, and Maverick rolls his eyes.

“Because I’m the team captain, and what I say goes. And we’re also celebrating you, Goalie Daddy. If you don’t like it, you can go back to the hotel. But just know I’m going to call your room all night.”

“He’s going to stay right here,” Piper says, and I swear I see Liam smile.

I’m probably way too drunk.

I dig my phone out of my pocket and take a picture of Piper trying to pick up Liam. I want to document how I feel right now because I’m with my best friends. Because life is good.

I have a text message in my inbox, and I slide my thumb across my screen.

AG

Great win tonight. Hope you’re celebrating. I can’t sleep, so I’m scrolling through dog videos. This one reminded me of you.

*Attachment: 1 video*

“Aw,” I say out loud, watching a puppy play on the screen. “That’s so cute.”

“What’s so cute?” Ethan jumps on my back and loops his arms around my neck. “Who is AG? Do you think we could find some hot dogs around here? Oh. Or a good piece of cake! Chocolate cake. That sounds good as hell.”

“Ouch. You’re too heavy for me to carry. I’m a short king, remember?” I whine, and he hops off me. “I don’t know about a hot dog. Or cake. And AG is my friend. Stop being so nosy.”

“You have friends outside of us? That’s not nice.”

“Says the guy who has tons of social media followers.”

“They aren’t friends. They are fans,” he says. When I blink, it looks like there are two of him. “There’s a difference, G.”

Ethan gets distracted by someone offering him a handful of french fries. I turn my back to our big group, wanting to answer Amelia.

Me

That was soooooo cute. Thank you for thinking of me!!!!!!

Her response comes back almost instantly, and it makes me grin.