Page 50 of In Spades

But he didn’t.

Because sometimes, life is cruel and the good guy doesn’t get the girl.

“I’m saying I’m not okay with losing my best friend,” he choked out. The words barely made it through his gritted teeth.

Bridget shook her head. “Steve is?—”

“Don’t even start with that bullshit, darlin’,” Chase snapped. “I love Steve like a brother, but don’t pretend like you and I haven’t been best friends since we were kids.” He laughed at the black sky and shook his head. “But apparently, that doesn’t mean anything. You didn’t even have the guts to tell me your piece of shit boyfriend fucking proposed, and you said yes.”

“I love him,” Bridget whispered. Her voice was a little stronger—more resolved—as she added, “And this is the next step for us.”

Chase took a step forward, his boots hitting the toe of Bridget’s. “How can you possibly think that a jackass like that is worthy of someone like you?” Chase slid his hand onto her hip and rested his forehead on hers. “I would be good to you.”

His eleventh-hour confession was quiet. Only the crickets and frogs were there to witness it. And me.

I expected Bridget to push him away, but she didn’t. Instead, she rested her temple on his chest and closed her eyes. She swiped a stray tear off her cheek and swallowed. “What happened to you being happy for me?”

Chase wrapped his arms around her, cradling her head against his chest. He buried his nose in her hair. I could barely hear it when he asked, “Why do you want to marry someone like him?”

Silence lingered between them for a few moments.

I didn’t want Bridget to catch me lurking, so I stepped out of the shadow, dragging my feet so that I wouldn’t spook them.

Bridget pulled away from Chase’s hug and met my eyes.

“Time for poker?” she asked. Her voice was thin and her face had drained of color.

I nodded. “Yeah. They sent me out here to find y’all.”

With weary eyes and a vacant expression, Chase shoved his hands in his pockets and trudged back into the house. His shoulders sagged like they carried the weight of the world.

Back inside, everyone gathered around the poker table. Chase and Bridget sat with Mel between them rather than across from one another.

“So,” Steve said casually as he dealt the cards. He glanced to his left where Erica was sitting. “Erica and I, uh, have some news. Wanted to wait until everyone was here before we said anything.” He cut his eyes to Isaac and Luca.

They both knew they were being called out for traveling so much. Maddie and Hannah Jane seemed rather pleased with the admonition.

Steve finished dealing the cards and sat back. He draped his muscular arm across the back of Erica’s chair, mindlessly tracing his fingertips on her shoulder.

Everyone gathered their cards and waited with bated breath.

Erica beamed from ear-to-ear. “I’m pregnant again. We’re going to have another baby.” She let out a nervous giggle as everyone shared simultaneous gasps and peals of excitement.

Steve grinned behind that thick beard of his, staring at Erica with adoring eyes. He pulled her into his side and planted a kiss on top of her head.

For as long as I had known Steve and his first wife, Heather, he’d always wanted a big family. Aly would be a year old in a few months. And now, another one was on the way. My heart swelled at the sight of his and Erica’s happiness.

“Aww! You guys!” I cupped my hands over my mouth. “I’m so excited for y’all! I can’t believe it!”

The girls practically exploded out of their seats and tackled Erica in a dog-pile hug.

Steve sat back, looking rather smug. He looked scary as fuck, but the man was a big teddy bear inside.

Chase punched Steve’s arm and grinned. “Look at you! So, that’s why Erica’s family is in town?”

Steve nodded. “Wanted to tell them in person.”

“Do you want a boy or a girl?” Mel asked as everyone settled down.

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