Page 14 of Waiting For Fate

Hey, wanna meet us at the bar for a drink before we go to this haunted corn field?

Tank

It’s called a haunted TRAIL, grandpa.

Max

I’m literally only five years older than you.

Tank

Tucker

Stop fighting in front of the new guy. You’re gonna scare him off.

Tank

If he’s related to YOUR bride, I doubt he scares easily.

Me

Sorry, I just got out of practice. But you would be correct. Being related to Taylor gives me an advantage of not being spooked easily. I’m down for a drink. What time?

Max

Tuck and I are here working and Tank is heading over in about an hour. How’s five?

Me

Sounds good. See you in about an hour.

For as long as I can remember I’ve only been friends with people on whatever hockey team I was on. From high school, up until I moved to Nashville, it’s been eat, sleep, breathe hockey twenty-four-seven. I’m starting to get a glimpse at what it will be like to have friends outside of the sport and I’m honestly grateful for that. Maybe they’ll be the ones to help me figure out what happens after hockey.

“Welcome, soon to be brother-in-law.” Tucker’s voice hits me before I’m even through the threshold at Chattahoochies. Max pops the top off a beer and holds it up, placing it at the empty spot next to Tucker—that I assume is for me. I slide onto the stool and thank Max for the drink before turning to Tucker.

“Are you ever actually going to marry my sister? It feels like you two have been engaged forever.”

“Shit, I would have married her in the backyard the night I proposed, but after these two—” He waves his beer between Max and Tank—who is now walking up beside me. “Decided they needed to marry their women within days of proposing, she made it very clear there needed to be a thoroughly planned wedding.” He air quotes. “Well, guess who’s now getting married in his own backyard?” He’s silent as we all stare back at him.

“Correct. Me.” He finishes off his beer before setting the bottle down on the counter.

“Wait, you guys finally set a date? When?” Max looks appalled that he’s just now hearing about it as he looks over at Tucker.

“Down boy, we just decided yesterday. We’re getting married June first at our house. Consider this your official save the date.” He drums on the bar, and I can’t fight back my laugh.

“You know better than that, right? She’s probably got five different samples of legit save the dates and invitations you’ll have to choose from.” I raise a brow at him as his smile fades.

“Just let me have hope that this can be simple, please,” he pleads, making the rest of us laugh.

“Still wanna talk shit about our super-fast marriages or?” Tucker flips Tank off while Max clears his empty bottle from the counter.

“What about you, hockey star? Anyone special in your life you’d consider enduring numerous painful hours of looking at floral arrangements for?” Tucker redirects the conversation, tipping his chin up at me.

“Hmm. Maybe.” I don’t think now is the time to dredge up my past and how I’m trying to fix ten year’s worth of damage with the only girl I’ve ever felt time stop with.

“Okayyy.” Tucker raises a brow at me.

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