Page 94 of Word to the Wise

Mason

There’s a knock atthe door before Sage lets himself in. It doesn’t matter if it’s my apartment for the time being, the guys at the shop still treat it like they did when Sage lived here. Like a communal living space for them to come and go as they please.

It’s one of the reasons I should probably grow up and get my own place in the city. I didn’t mind the rotation of them coming and going when they needed to nap between sessions or grab something to eat. But with Reed here, I like it just being us.

I still haven’t been brave enough to ask her if she’ll come with me when I move, but I’m hoping I can convince her before I get to that point.

“You guys think you brought enough booze?” I ask as Crew and Jude walk past me with a bottle in each hand.

“We’re celebrating.” Jude almost smiles, which is really fucking rare for him, so I’m curious about what’s going on.

Fel is practically glowing beside him, and Echo goes to stand next to Crew as Sage and Lyla make their way into the apartment.

“Did someone say we’re celebrating?” Reed steps out of the hallway.

She’s changed into leggings and a cropped green T-shirt, showing off a tease of her stomach that has me wanting to kick everyone out so I can rip her clothes off.

Reed stops beside me at the kitchen island but maintains the smallest gap of space that feels like miles. I want to reach out and wrap my arm around her waist. To hold her hand and lean in to smell her freshly washed hair. I want to hug her like all the other guys are holding their girls.

I’ve never been jealous of guys in relationships until now. But I’d like this girl to be mine, and she isn’t ready.

“Yes, we’re celebrating.” Fel plants her hand on Jude’s chest, and he pulls her closer. “I’m pregnant.”

“What?” Lyla shrieks, and Sage almost loses his grasp on her when she starts bouncing with excitement. “We’re pregnant together?”

Lyla runs over to Fel and wraps her arms around her. Tears stream down her face.

“She’s a little emotional,” Sage says to the rest of us as Lyla continues to cry.

Lyla narrows her eyes at Sage. “Didn’t anyone warn you not to call your pregnant wife emotional?”

“I’ll make it up to you later, butterfly.” He winks.

Reed rolls her eyes. “You two stop being gross. Congratulations, Fel.”

She walks over and hugs Fel once Lyla finally lets her go, and Echo is right behind her.

Jude watches them, but he doesn’t leave Fel’s side. He stares at her with the kind of light in his eyes that only his wife can draw out.

“Congrats, man.” I nod.

“Thanks.” He wipes his palm down his face. “It’s wild. I mean, being a dad…”

“You’ll be good. Don’t worry.” Sage nods at him.

Jude and Sage have been friends since they were teenagers. And now they’re going to be fathers together. I’ve never had that kind of friendship. Gabe was the closest I’ve gotten to a brotherly bond, and he manipulated that to get to my sister.

“You guys missed it.” Crew grins, knocking Jude on the shoulder. “His girl had a little fun announcing the pregnancy.”

“What’s he talking about?” Sage asks Jude.

Jude glances down at Fel, clenching his jaw. “Someone thought it would be funny to distract me before announcing her little surprise in case I wasn’t going to take it well.”

“Oh yeah?” Sage perks up at this. “What’d she do?”

“I walked the ring at his fight.”

Sage bursts out laughing, but Jude doesn’t look the least bit amused. “That’s fucking hilarious. See, this is why I like you, Fel. Someone needs to keep this asshole on his toes.”

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