Page 50 of Pick Me This Time

23

STERLING

Inever made it to Daphne’s. After seeing Fiona and her bitch squad, I’d gone back to the game, remembering suddenly all those reasons why I’d stayed away from Daphne for as long as I had.

Sitting at the bar with Eric and Jake to celebrate the team’s win, I had to admit I was glad I hadn’t gone to see her. This, right here, with the two of them after an Allisburg High victory? This felt right.

It was where I belonged, especially after having missed so many moments like this with them. Jake grinned as he raised his beer for a toast. “To our boys, and to us for making sure they got there.”

Eric laughed. “Us? Last I checked, you only pop into practice once a month and Sterling has only ever been there once.”

“Yeah, but my contribution was invaluable,” I said, smirking at him. “Did you see Asher today? He kept his eyes up, gentlemen.”

“I’ve been working on that with him for two years,” Eric said incredulously, laughing as he shook his head. “But sure, take the credit.”

“I will, thanks.” I winked.

Jake’s phone rang and he frowned as he picked up. “Hey, baby. What’s up? Are you okay?”

Listening intently for a moment, he nodded and then got up as soon as he ended the call. With an apologetic smile, he drained his beer and inclined his head toward the door. “I’ve got to go, guys. Rachel’s not feeling well, and at this point, we’ve been told to be ready for the baby to come anytime, so I’m not taking any chances.”

“Of course,” Eric said, his own brow furrowing with concern. “Keep us in the loop and let us know if you guys need anything.”

“Good luck,” I added after nodding my agreement with what our friend had said. “We’ll see you later.”

“See you later.” He took off fast, dodging between bodies as he raced to the exit.

We watched him go until he disappeared. Eric sighed and took a long sip of his beer. “God, I hope they’re ready for this. I mean, I know they are, but how ready can anyone ever really be?”

I shrugged. “They have each other. That’s something, right?”

“Right,” he said thoughtfully, glancing back at me. “How about you? Someone special waiting for you back in Manhattan?”

I scoffed. “Not hardly. You? Am I flying home for your wedding next?”

“Would you?” he shot back. “Come home for it, I mean. That was a pretty nasty stunt you pulled with Jake and Rachel’s wedding. It took him a long time to forgive you.”

I exhaled heavily. “To be honest, I don’t think he really has. Anything I can do to make it up to them?”

“Just be there, man,” he said simply. “Next time something big happens, be there. Even if you can’t physically be in Allisburg, you do own a phone. At least give ‘em a call.”

“With any luck, I’ll still be here when the baby comes,” I said. “Maybe spoiling her a little bit will help them realize that I didn’t mean to upset anybody. I just couldn’t get away.”

“Couldn’t or didn’t want to?” he asked.

Before I could answer, movement caught my eye. When I looked and saw what had caused it, I groaned. Fiona and her posse of mean girls had arrived, and they were shooing people aside, forcing the crowd to part for them so they could pass without breaking rank.

Eric laughed at my side. “Some things really never change. I thought that was over.”

“It is,” I said. “So very, very over. Thank God.”

He watched as they marched to our table like some kind of synchronized dance team even though they were just walking. On the other hand, they had been on the cheer squad together. They were a synchronized dance team—or at least, they had been.

“It doesn’t look like Fiona got the memo,” he said, barely restrained laughter in his voice. “The way they’re making a beeline over here is pretty familiar, man. You sure it’s really over?”

“Maybe it’s not for me this time,” I said hopefully. “You were a pretty hot commodity yourself back in the day. It’s possible one of them has finally decided to take her shot.”

He snorted. “I really fucking hope not. I don’t like these girls at all. Never have.”