32. Boston

THIRTY-TWO

boston

The sharp ding of my phone pierced the quiet as Chandler and I sat on the dock, me silently admiring her while she took in her favorite view. I sat up reluctantly, stretching out to grab my phone, and I couldn’t help but smile as I read the messages.

Bailey

One last end of summer celebration?

Crew

I call the twins

Parker

Once again, no one wants that freak show.

Crew

As long as you know that freak show is all mine

Bailey

What kind of celebration are you guys talking about? A fucking orgy? I just want to drink together. You know, hang out, maybe.

Reese

Like you’d ever say no to an orgy

Bailey

Can one of you idiots just answer my question?

Chandler looked up at me, her hazel eyes catching the amusement in mine. "What's so funny?" she asked, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

"It’s just the boys' group chat," I replied, watching her curious gaze turn into a playful challenge. "It’s unhinged, you don't want to see it."

"Oh yes, I do," she countered, the corners of her mouth lifting in a mischievous grin. "We don't keep secrets."

"Is that so?" I teased, knowing full well I loved the thought of sharing every part of my world with her. "You’ll never look at us the same."

I didn’t care about her seeing the chat, and truthfully, I wanted her in every part of my life—the mundane, the exciting, and even the unhinged boys group chat.

I tilted the phone her way, and she snagged it out of my hand.

"Let's see this infamous chat," Chandler said, thumbing through the messages with a look of apprehension that quickly dissolved. "Crew? Twins? I can't believe what I’m reading right now."

"Hey, you can’t judge," I protested with a grin. “There is no judgment in a group chat."

"The male group chat is a scary place."

"You asked for it," I joked, smiling at her appalled expressions.

"I’ll never ask to look again—I wish I could take it all back," she snickered.

"Also," I added, watching her expression shift back to normal. "He managed to convince Willow to throw the party at her place."

"Really?" Chandler's eyes widened. "How did he manage that?"

"Charm and the promise of cleaning up afterward," I replied. "But I think he just wants to crash there so he doesn't have to drive home."

"Smart," she nodded. "And convenient for us, too." A conspiratorial glint was in her eyes.

"Very," I agreed, leaning closer. "Means we can go to bed whenever we want."

“One last time?” I winked at Chandler.

She nodded, knowing exactly what I was asking without me having to say it. “I mean… we have to, right?”

Laughter echoed off the water as Chandler and I jumped into the lake. When we rose back up for air, her waves were catching the light, hazel eyes sparkling. Parker and Willow were in their own world, splashing around without a care.

Reese, my mom and I... Well, we weren’t quite there yet. But right then everything felt at peace. I finally had the girl, and if she was all I’d have in this world, I could live with that, for the rest of my life.

When we got to Willow's place later, Parker and I hauled coolers onto the deck, ice cubes clinking as we dumped them over cans and bottles.

"Quite the turnaround since June, huh?" Parker slapped me on the back, grinning broadly.

I grinned, tossing a few extra beers in the cooler. "Never thought anyone could lock you down. Now look at you."

Parker smirked, "didn’t think there was a woman out there that could handle all this."

We shared a laugh before pride crept into his voice. "And the championship, man. Someone also got MVP this year. Speaking of, any news from Chicago?" he asked, popping open a bottle and taking a swig.

"The GM called," I said, fiddling with a bottle cap. "Wants Chandler and me to go back for a game."

"Doesn't sound like he's holding any grudges," Parker observed, eyebrows raised.

"Apparently he pulled a similar stunt for his wife," I replied with a shrug.

Parker leaned against the railing just as a group of people made their way up the drive. "You know," he began with a small smile, "if you and Chandler tie the knot, that makes us actual brothers. And you'll never get rid of me."

"Get rid of you?" I scoffed playfully, shaking my head. "Parker, even if I tried, it wouldn't happen. But seriously, what kind of life would that be without getting to laugh at you every day?"

"Hey now, you mean laughing with me, right?" He grinned and took another sip.

"No," I said, grinning back at him, "I said what I said." We snickered, our laughter mixing with the commotion of arriving guests. Soon enough, clusters of people were on the yard, some lounging on the patio, others mingling by the open door.

Catching sight of Chandler among the crowd, I could feel the corners of my mouth lift involuntarily. My heart soared with her laughter. She was the prettiest smile I had ever seen, the most incredible person I had ever known. She caught me looking and sent a quick smile my way.

"Blue Devils, assemble!" Bailey commanded, grabbing the attention of those around him. Our teammates began to shuffle around, forming a semicircle in the yard gathering around Bailey.

"Come on, we've earned this," he shouted with a grin as wide as the lake we'd spent many of our days in.

"Here's to a badass summer," Bailey raised his cup high, "and to bringing home the championship!"

"Cheers!" we echoed, clinking cups, followed by cheers and whistles.

As the huddle broke and everyone dispersed to continue celebrating, I slipped through the crowd, making my way to Chandler.

"Hey there," I said as I wrapped my arms around her from behind, feeling her lean back into me.

"I like boyfriend Boston," she teased, turning in my embrace to face me, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "Did I ever tell you how much I like you cooking for me and bringing me coffee?"

"I like the way you say boyfriend." I leaned down, brushing a soft kiss on her forehead.

Parker was laughing next to us. He had that look in his eye—the one that meant he was about to give someone shit—and tonight it was directed at Bailey.

"Come on, Bailey," Parker could barely get words out through his laughter. "Tell Crew what username you use on that dating app." He leaned back, arms crossed over his chest.

"Shut up, man," Bailey retorted, but there was no real anger in his words. He looked away in defeat. "I can’t go by my real name because all the ladies would want me for my status."

I couldn't help but snort at that comment. “What status is that?”

"Yeah, what status, dude?" Parker added. "An average third baseman?"

"Okay, but what's the name you use?" Crew asked eagerly. "Can't wait to hear this one."

Bailey let out an annoyed sigh. "It doesn't matter," he finally grumbled. "He only knows because he was being a creep and looking over my shoulder."

"Fine," Parker said with a grin. "I'll do the honors since our star player here is suddenly shy. It's 'Papi Likes Butts.'"

Chandler stepped back like she was struck by lightning. Her drink became collateral damage as it fell from her hand, liquid splashing on the ground before her. A choked gasp escaped her lips before she scrambled down to pick up her cup. She stared wide-eyed at Bailey, who hardly noticed her reaction because Parker was still giving him shit.

"Shit," I murmured, a frown creasing my forehead. "You okay? What was that about?"

"Walk with me?" she asked, her hand already tugging at mine, eager for movement. "I need to grab my lipgloss from Willow's bathroom, and you're not going to believe what I'm about to tell you."

"You want me to go with you for lip gloss and gossip? Shouldn’t you be doing this with Willow?" I groaned, but I couldn't resist her pull.

"I don’t know where Willow ran off to, but I have to tell this to someone.”

“This better be good,” I joked.

"Papi Likes Butts, Boston. How did this happen? I never would have put it together," Chandler whispered in a rush, as she pulled me inside and we navigated the crowded hallway toward Willow's room. The thrumming bass of the party music seemed to fade into the background, as I focused on what she was saying.

"Put what together?" I asked.

"He’s the guy..." she shook her head. "He sent her feet pics." Her lips curled into an amused smile as we walked through Willow’s room toward her bathroom.

"Okay, not where I thought you were going with this. Sent who feet pics?" I asked just as Chandler's hand found the doorknob.

I was so focused on what she was saying that I didn’t pay attention to what was happening around me. I ignored the first warning sign that should have made me stop her from opening that door—a pair of heels carelessly discarded on the floor. A picture frame had fallen from the wall, landing face down on the carpet, almost as if someone had knocked it down. That was the second sign, and I’d once again failed to recognize it in time.

She pushed open the door mid-sentence and her next words caught in her throat.

The unexpected sight before us stole the air from our lungs. His body was pressed against hers, his hands possessively sneaking under her shirt. Their lips were locked on each other, frozen suddenly by the creak of the opening door.

"Reese?" Chandler's voice was a breath, still trying to decipher what she was seeing.

In that split second, as the two of them broke apart, I realized who he was with. "Caroline!" I blurted out. There she was, her blonde hair tousled around her flushed face, lipstick smeared.

"Uh—" I stuttered, my brain short-circuiting.

Chandler's hand flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp, her eyes wide with shock. For a lingering second, nobody moved—time itself seemed shocked by the discovery.

Then, with a swift, reflexive motion, Chandler slammed the door shut. The sound echoed through the stillness.

"I don't need the lipgloss," she whispered in disbelief. We stood there, hearts pounding, the secret scene burned into our minds.