Page 8 of Letting You Go

“Come in,” I heard Ryan call. I stepped inside and could see Ryan in the kitchen making a sandwich. “Hey, man.”

“Hey, what’s going on? How did last night go?” I questioned, removing my shoes and throwing my jacket on the chair in the living room before making my way into the kitchen. I knew he’d been planning on proposing to Cara and wondered if he actually had the balls to go through with it.

“She said yes,” he said, holding his hands in the air as if he’d just scored a touchdown.

I chuckled. “That’s outstanding, man, congrats. Was there really any doubt?” I pulled open the refrigerator and grabbed a coke, cracking the tab and downing the cold liquid. “I mean, it’s been what, ten years?”

“Help yourself,” Ryan said with his mouth full.

“Don’t mind if I do,” I said, grabbing a slice of lunch meat from the package on the counter and shoving it into my mouth, giving him a cocky grin. “So, what now?” I questioned.

“Well, I guess, now it’s plan, plan, plan. I swear all I wanted was a little some-some last night, but she was busy pulling out planning boards. The ring hadn’t even been on her finger for five hours. She’s apparently already assembled her side of the wedding party.”

I laughed to myself and shook my head at Ryan. “Buddy, I told you.”

“You told him what?” Cara asked, coming into the kitchen, a laundry basket resting on her hip.

“He told me nothing.” Ryan blurted out. “Look who stopped by.”

“I see who stopped by. Good morning, Jackson,” she said, leaning in to give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“Good morning, Cara. Congratulations.”

“Thanks. It’s going to be so amazing,” she said. “I’ve already got my girls ready.”

“That’s exactly what Ryan just told me,” I said, winking in Ryan’s direction.

“Of course, you will be Ryan’s best man, right?” Cara questioned. “He’s been having a hard time coming up with names of people for his side. I’m sure that you can help him with a list, right?”

I chuckled to myself. “Can I help him with the list? The best man part, that depends.” I shrugged.

“On?”

“On what kind of monkey suit you’re going to want us all to wear, and how much you are prepared to bribe me to stand up for this fucker?” I said, chuckling, looking over at Ryan, who was now shooting me daggers. I loved getting under his skin.

“We haven’t gotten to that part just yet, but I should have that figured out in the next couple of weeks.” Cara said.

“Can I let you know then?” I laughed just as the phone rang.

Cara shook her head and smiled at me while Ryan answered.

“Cara, phone,” Ryan said, holding the phone out for her to take.

“I’ll mark you down and make sure your suit has an extra side of monkey.” She winked as she turned and smiled at Ryan before heading down the hall with the phone in her hand.

“Now that’s settled. Are we going to watch the game tonight? We can kick back at my place.”

“Yeah, that should be fine. Specter coming?”

“I think so. At least, that was the plan. I’ll order pizza and wings, and grab the beers, so be there by kickoff?”

“Sounds good.”

“I’ll see if Cameron wants to join us, too.” I murmured.

Ryan nodded just as Cara walked into the kitchen, threw the phone on the base, and turned to Ryan and me with a great big grin on her face.

“Before you give me a to-do list, I’m heading to Jackson’s tonight for the game,” Ryan said, glancing over at me.

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