Page 60 of Mr. Charming

“It’s how Decker became such good friends with my twin brothers,” Tedi says. “Although Decker and Foster are fraternal, not identical. But our moms were in this twins’ parent group when they were younger since we all lived in the same town.”

“I didn’t know you guys have known one another since you were young,” Kyleigh says.

“She’s robbing the cradle,” Decker says, and Tedi elbows him in the side.

“So, you’re the older one, Tedi. That’s cute. Did you want Tedi when you were younger, Decker? Was she the hot older sister?” Eloise asks.

Jesus, is this a fucking background check Eloise has going here?

He looks at Tedi, and they both laugh as if they have some secret inside joke.

I rub my hands down my thighs, antsy as fuck.

“You could say that.” Decker picks up his drink, and thankfully, Tedi doesn’t kiss his cheek.

“Go, Bodzilla!” Waylon and Owen scream, interrupting the Newlywed Game Eloise and Kyleigh have decided to play with Tedi and Decker.

Jade jumps up with the cheering. “Go, Bodhi, go.” Her hands are up in the air.

Bodhi is skating toward the net, no one around him. All of us rise to our feet, and I wonder what the other parents think about us having ten people cheering for one kid.

We’re all shouting, “Go. Go. Go.”

Bodhi shoots at the net, and the puck goes in to the sound of all of us cheering.

Jade glances over her shoulder at Henry, and they share a smile. That’s what I’ve always wanted. Coming from a family with two parents who were never at my games together, I was always envious of my teammates who had parents who would fawn over their kids. The look Henry and Jade just shared is pure happiness for their kid. They have the real deal. Maybe I’ll find it one day.

I turn back to look at the ice and find Bodhi doing my celly dance like I do when I score. My mouth drops open, and my chest pinches.

Everyone stares at me.

“He’s been practicing it all week,” Henry says, seeing me bewildered.

“Seriously?” I ask, and my chest warms. It’s an honor to have an uncle role with Bodhi, and it’s made me wonder what it would be like to be a dad one day. Although that day isn’t anywhere near, because if anything good came from my childhood, it was figuring out that who you have kids with is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your life.

“Remind me to show Bodhi what a real celly should look like after the game,” Rowan says.

Tedi glares at him, and I chuckle.

Why so protective, Tedi?

We continue to watch the game, and I feel slightly bad for the other kids because Bodhi is the best by far. Whether that’s because we’ve been his playmates for so long or he’s just naturally talented, who knows, but by the time the game is over, everyone on our side is happy.

“Man, what a cheering section.” A woman approaches us wearing tight yoga pants, a small top that reveals her stomach, and an open fluffy pink jacket. Her hair is styled perfectly in a ponytail, and she’s wearing a decent amount of makeup. She’s not at all what I think of when I think “hockey mom.”

“Hi, Maci,” Jade says. “Kale played great.”

“How are you, Jade?” Her eyes linger on Henry. “Bodhi was just amazing. Must be his dad’s genes.” She smiles extra wide.

No one tells her Henry and Bodhi don’t share genetics, that Henry adopted Bodhi.

The girls all stand, seeming ready to get out of here.

“Tweetie, right?” She puts her hand out in front of me. Her long, manicured nails scratch my palm when I shake her hand.

“Yeah. Who’s your kid?” I ask.

She doesn’t glance away from me. “Number thirty-three.”

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