Page 4 of The Final Game

“Are you having fun over there?” Leila asks with a chuckle, amused at the noises she’s making. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d assume you were pregnant or something by the way you’re looking at that French toast.” She gestures to her own round belly, and sighs. “Trust me, I would know.”

“I’m amazing,” Gabi slurs with a mouthful of French toast. “I’m incredible. I’m fucking fantastic.” She shakes her head. “How did I not know how good French toast is?” she asks, groaning again. “I’m going to have to ask Chris to make these every day instead of pancakes from now on.”

“Kinda feel bad for the guy,” Madeline says, letting out a laugh as she glances at Gabi.

Leila lets out a scoff. “You’re acting as if the guy wouldn’t build a bakery if she wanted,” she replies.

Gabi swallows down her food, before reaching for her orange juice, not mimosa—shocking I know—and takes a sip before a grin spreads across her face. “I love hearing you guys talk about my soon to be husband,” she says, before taking another bite of her food.

“Are you excited?” I ask her, picking up some scrambled eggs on my fork before I swallow them down. “About finally being Mrs. Hudson?”

“I think she’s more excited about the French toast right now,” Madi pipes in with a chuckle.

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Leila replies, sipping on her lemon water. “She’s practically jumping out of her chair.”

“It’s the sugar,” Madi replies with a chuckle as she glances at Gabi who’s bouncing in her seat. “She’s like a kid, I swear. Too much sugar and she’s jumping off the walls.”

Gabi chuckles, swallowing her food before she winks at us, holding up her orange juice. “I’ll be jumping on other things later,” she says with a mischievous grin.

Madeline sighs, a smile curving her lips. “Our best friend, ladies and gentlemen,” she says, raising her glass as she arches a brow at Gabi. “Never change.” Tipping her glass back, she swallows a sip of her mimosa.

“I never will,” Gabi replies, taking a sip of her drink.

“Hmmm.” Leila presses her lips together in a hum. “Not all change is bad,” she says, pointedly. “Especially for the bachelorette tomorrow night.”

Gabi lets out a loud gasp, placing a hand dramatically on her chest. “You want me tochange?”

A laugh bubbles out of me as Leila rolls her eyes. “I don’t mean to dye your hair and quit dancing. I just meant you may want to remember you’re getting married this weekend, so getting trashed probably won’t be the best decision.”

“You don’t have to worry,” she reassures us with a wave of her hand. “I won’t get trashed.”

“Are you sure about that?” I ask with a chuckle. I’ve known Gabi for a long time, and knowing her means knowingshe loves a good party, as much as she loves to get absolutely wasted.

“I’m very sure,” she says with a grin as she picks up her orange juice. “I can promise you guys I’ll be on my best behavior, and will be perfectly fine for the wedding.”

Leila lets out a groan, dropping her hand to her belly. “I think the baby had too many croissants.”

“How much longer until you’re screaming in pain?” Gabi asks.

Leila pins her with a glare. “Not a huge fan of the way you put it,” she says. “But there’s still three weeks left.” She lets out a sigh. “I can’t wait to meet him.”

Gabi freezes, her eyes widening. “Wait, it’s a boy? I have a bet going with the guys that it’s going to be a girl. Don’t tell me I just lost.”

Leila rolls her eyes. “Yeah, I know about that bet. But no, we don’t know yet. Aiden wanted it to be a surprise this time, but I kind of think it’s a boy,” she admits, with a smile.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a boy,” Madi pipes in, shaking her head. “Aiden screams ‘girl dad’.”

This whole talk of weddings and babies has my head spinning, and I tug on my bottom lip with my teeth, feeling every emotion under the sun. I’ve kept it bottled inside the whole morning, and I can’t wait a second longer.

“I found a ring,” I blurt out, letting out a heavy sigh once I finally let it out. My shoulders drop as the girls turn to face me, their jaws dropped.

“A… a ring?” Madeline asks, furrowing her brows.

“Like a cock ring?” Gabi asks, with an arched brow.

“Obviously she didn’t mean that,” Leila says dryly, turning her attention back to me. “You found an engagement ring?”

“It could still be a cock ring,” Gabi pipes in with a shrug.

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