Page 99 of Here's to Now

The waitress winks at him, a frizzy lock of hair falling into her eyes. “This is Vegas, baby. We have to be fast here.”

She passes out the food, promising to come back with more syrup and butter before disappearing again. We all dig into our meals, ignoring the question Rae asked.

Chew.Think.Chew.Think.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I reach down and pull it out, surprised to see Hudson’s name on my screen.

Hudson: DID YOU FUCKING REALLY?

Me: I have no idea what you’re talking about.

Hudson: You do realize you’re a total dumbass, right?

Holding my screen away from Haley, I shoot Hudson a glare then return my attention to my phone.

Me: That’s rich coming from you.

Hudson: Seriously, man. Did you even tell her about your siblings?

Me: Yes, DAD.

Hudson: All of it??

My brows slam together and I start to shove my phone back in my pocket when it vibrates again.

Hudson: That’s what I thought. Tell. Her.

“What’s up?” Haley asks, and I thrust my phone into my jeans before she can see the screen. “Anyone important?”

“Nope, just some jackass,” I reassure her, stamping a quick, sticky, syrupy kiss to her cheek.

“You never did say where you ran off to,” Hudson throws out.

Again, I kick him under the table. This time it’s hard enough to cause him to wince.

Rae reaches over at his reaction. “You okay?”

“Yep,” he grunts. “Peachy. Just a cramp…in my ass.”

Tucker lifts his face from his plate at that one, cocking a brow at Hudson. “I thought having something in your ass was Dall’s style.”

Dallas’ face goes bright red. “I hate you.”

Tucker winks. “Hate me, want me—same difference.”

I chuckle, taking a sip of my water. Tucker and Dallas have grown quite close since Tucker came back to Wakefield after his first tour to find Maura living with some random guy. Once Tuck found out Dallas was definitely not barking up Maura’s tree—wrong equipment—they became quick friends. In turn, Dallas has become a key player in our group. He has our backs and we have his—always.

“So, Gaige…”

“So, jackass,” I throw right back to Hudson.

“We got married!”

The entire table falls silent. I look to Haley, stupefied by her outburst. She blushes and ducks her head, nervous about what’s going to happen next. I wrap my arm around her again, bringing her in close to me, trying to protect her. From what? I have no idea, but I’m scared too.

Then, out of nowhere, a loud cackle fills the room. Rae throws her head back, the noise leaving her in giant gusts. It sounds part amused, part sad, and part angry. Even Hudson is frozen by it.

“Good one,” she finally says, calming herself down and wiping the tears from her under her eyes. She picks her fork up and takes a huge bite of her waffle. “Fucking good one, guys.”

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