Page 96 of Gold Rush

“About time you were awesome at something,” Kit comments.

More shells get tossed around.

“Ah shit. Carmichael just struck out.” Rhody slumps in his seat. “I can’t believe Boston got O’Shea. He’s the best pitcher the league has seen since Caleb Winters.”

“Pretty sure Garner Sports Agency represents him,” Kit comments.

“O’Shea?” Rhody asks.

“Yeah. Dean Garner represented Winters until he retired.”

“Who is Dean Garner?” Leo questions.

“Hell of a sports agent,” Kit replies. “And Rory and Wren’s other grandfather. Hannah worked at the agency before becoming an architect.”

“You’ve got that kind of in, and you’re only just now mentioning it?” Rhody says incredulously.

“He’s not my relative. Or Collins’s. Flynn has a better in than I do.”

I scowl at Kit’s grin, then at Rhody’s pleading expression. “What in? I’ve never even met the man.”

“Dean will be at Lili’s wedding,” Kit states.

“That makes me feel much better about missing it, thanks,” Rhody says sarcastically.

“Don’t look at me,” Kit tells him. “It’s not my wedding, and I had no input on the guest list. I figured they’d go big, but Lili picked small. Charlie has a ton of cousins once removed and great-uncles and shit. Half of England would be invading New York if they hadn’t limited the list.”

“Yet Parks got an invite?”

“He’s dating the maid of honor.”

“Like I don’t know invites were sent out way before that headline.” Rhody sips his beer. “Claudia’s sister is getting married that same weekend anyway. I was mainly trying to guilt you into a boys’ trip to Vegas or something.”

“We can do a boys’ trip,” Kit says casually. “As long as it’s before March 12 since I won’t be able to travel with a newborn.”

There’s a beat of total silence around the table.

“Collins is pregnant,” Kit elaborates.

I cheer along with the other guys, even though it’s news I’ve known for a while.

“Excellent work, my man,” Leo comments, clapping Kit on the back.

“Since we’re making big announcements …” Rhody pulls a small black box out of his pocket, setting it on the center of the table amid the drinks and peanut shell remnants. “I’m going to ask Claudia to marry me.”

“Holy shit,” Leo says.

“Congrats, man,” Kit contributes.

I stare at the innocuous box.

I’m supposed to be purchasing one of those soon.

The reminder panics me, not with the constricted sensation that’s signaled the imminent end of all my relationships. It’s the same surreality as when I sat in Oliver’s office, imagining asking for his blessing to propose to Rory. The ring and that conversation feel too real, the furthest thing from the effortless arrangement I anticipated this being. What’s simpler than outlining an entire relationship in advance, knowing exactly what the other person is expecting because you’ve both agreed to eventual steps? Why do I feel like I don’t know what’s coming?

“You guys are making me feel behind,” Leo complains. “Kit has a kid and a half. Rhody is getting married. Flynn is dating a billionaire.”

“She has a name,” I snap.