Page 153 of Golden Ruin

By his side, in his arms, sharing a float on a Saturday night with the people who mean the most to us in this world.

“Shit, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you two like each other a little bit or something,” Ricky teases from across the table.

Sterling glances toward me, then lifts my hand to kiss the back of it. “Yeah. I think I’ll keep her,” he teases, and I nudge him with my elbow.

Ricky glances around the diner, a faint smile on his face. “It’s crazy.”

“What is?” I ask, taking a sip of the float.

His smile grows a little, and it isn’t often that we see this man get sentimental, but that’s the only way to describe the look on his face.

“Just look at everyone,” he says, and I scan the room.

Dane and Joss sneaking a kiss when they don’t think anyone’s looking, West holding Blue’s hand underneath the table, Scar popping in and out of conversations while staring at her laptop screen.

“Feels like everyone’s exactly where they’re supposed to be. I even heard from Shane yesterday,” he adds with a quiet laugh. “Sounds like he’s finally making his way back home.”

Hearing this, my gaze naturally goes to Scar as she types, remembering their history, how hard she took it when he was forced to leave. But then I’m distracted when Joss stands from Dane’s lap, and he rises from his seat with his eyes set on Scar.

“Hey!” She laughs when he closes her laptop, then steals it, placing it on the counter behind him as he turns to face everyone.

“You can work later,” he says. “We’re supposed to be hanging out.”

Smiling, she rolls her eyes because she knows he’s right. Girl’s killing it as Joss’s second-in-command, though, so I get it. She’s focused.

Dane holds out his hand, and Joss comes to his side, holding back a huge grin. Now, I’m intrigued.

“Before I say anything, I’d like to raise my glass to everyone making it back this season,” Dane says, lifting his soda into the air as he passes a look toward West. When their eyes lock, a sense of understanding passes between them, and I know Dane’s just as proud as Sterling is that West will be back with them, playing the game he loves so damn much.

“I’ll drink to that,” Ricky calls out.

West laughs, but it’s restrained. My guess is, as excited as he seems about being back on the team roster, he’s worried where Blue and the triplets will fit into the equation. Or should I say how football will fit into the equation, because we all know Blue and the babies are his number-one priority.

But if there’s one thing I know about the Golden boys, it’s that they always find away.

Always.

“Ok,” Dane continues, “since we’re all here, now seems like as good a time as any to make a little announcement.”

“You guys are pregnant?” Jules pipes up, earning herself a hard glare from Joss.

“Girl, no. Give us time,” she laughs. “But… I think this news might be equally as big.”

She looks toward Dane, and I’m literally on the edge of my seat, waiting to hear what this is about.

“Well, we pushed back the wedding to focus on our friends and family through various circumstances, but… I’ve gotta be honest,” he says with a laugh. “If I wait another fucking second to make this woman my wife, I might actually lose my shit.”

Everyone laughs, and hearing how excited he is to give my girl his last name has me tearing up.

“So, we’ve chosen a new location since we lost our venue when we pushed things back,” Joss says, smiling so hard it has to hurt.

Folding his arms over his chest, West cocks his head.

“A destination wedding?” Dez asks, not bothering to hide her excitement.

Joss’s gaze flits toward the ceiling when she thinks. “Sort of? I mean, you will have to book a flight, but… it’s probably not what you think.” She glances toward Dane, then back at us. “We talked to Grandpa Boone, and we’ll be tying the knot at his place, Landry Manor. In October.”

I’m surprised they’re doing it so soon, in a few months, but with what Dane said, I completely understand. The heart wants what the heart wants.