Chapter 3

“Anyone else want a drink?” James asks us, gesturing to the waitress holding a tray with four beers.

I shake my head. “I’m good,” I tell him, lifting my half empty glass of beer. “Still working on this one.”

Aiden arches a brow when his gaze slides to him. “Still don’t drink,” he says.

“I’ll take one,” Chris says, reaching for the glass before he takes a sip.

“No one else wants one?” James asks, looking around the booth before he lifts his shoulder in a shrug. “No? That’s fine. More for me,” he says, grabbing the three beers and positioning them in front of him.

I let out a laugh, shaking my head. “Are you ready to deal with puke tonight?” I ask James’ husband, Carter, watching James start to gulp down his first beer.

Carter sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I’m used to it,” he says with a smirk as he looks at his husband lovingly.

From the corner of my eye, I spot the waitress smiling down at Aiden, and I turn my head to see her lean down, the neckline of her T-shirt low as her cleavage spills out and she places a beer in front of him, along with a slip of paper that she slides beside the glass. “This one’s on me,” she says with a smile .

Aiden’s eyes drop to the drink in front of him when she stands up straight and walks away, and he lifts his head to look at us. “Did she not hear me say I didn’t drink?”

“I don’t think the drink is what she wanted to give you,” James points out with a chuckle, glancing down at the slip of paper on the table.

Aiden lets out a sigh, and picks up the piece of paper, ripping it up before he even reads it and throws the rips into the cigarette bowl in the middle of the table.

“Does that happen a lot?” I ask him, slightly amused at the scene. Aiden was a ladies’ man in college, and I saw first-hand how girls threw themselves at him, but now… it’s ten times worse. Being in the NBA was his dream for so long, and he finally made it, but with the fame comes millions of girls wanting in his pants. I’ve only gotten a little glimpse at what it’s like to be him, and I genuinely feel sorry for the guy.

Sure, most guys wouldn’t consider having girls want to sleep with them a curse, but for someone like Aiden, who’s married to the love of his life, and is about to have a second child with her, it’s the last thing he wants.

“All the fucking time,” he replies with a sigh as he picks up his coke, taking a sip. “I’m sick of having to turn them down politely when all I want to do is lift my hand and show them my fucking ring.”

“It really happens that much?” James asks, his brows shooting up to his hairline.

Aiden nods, his jaw clenching. “It really fucking kills me to think my wife is in our home worrying about some girl trying to get her hands on me.” His face drops into a frown. “She knows she’s the love of my fucking life, and is so much more confident in knowing she’s the only girl I’ll ever want, but I know it’s still hard for her, especially when I’m on the road.”

We’re all quiet for a bit, realizing how hard it must be for him to be away from Nova and Leila so much, since they haven’t been to the away games while Leila’s been pregnant.”

“Jesus,” James blurts out. “The mood has gone all the way down. You guys want to hear a fun story?”

Chris lets out a laugh. “All of your stories are about what you do in the bedroom,” he says. “I think it’s best to leave that between you and your husband.”

James sighs, turning his attention to Carter. “They’re so boring, aren’t they, baby?” he jokes.

Carter shakes his head, attempting to scowl at him, but his lips turn into a smile. “You tell them way too much about our sex life,” he replies with a laugh.

He’s always been a reserved guy ever since I met him, but I don’t think he minds the attention when it comes to James.

“I’m the exact same,” Aiden says with a grin. “Leila hates it, and you guys know how much I love to annoy her.”

I scoff. “You two are children,” I say, gesturing to Aiden and Carter with my glass.

“We have children,” Aiden corrects with a smirk.

“We?” James interrupts with wide eyes.

Those two made it clear they weren’t going to have any children of their own, but that doesn’t mean they don’t love hounding us about having children so they can be their ‘ cool uncles’.

Aiden laughs. “Only me,” he corrects, shaking his head when he sees James visibly relax. “And it’s fucking amazing,” he says with a huge smile. I thought the only person who could make him smile like that was Leila, but then came Nova and she stole Aiden’s heart. And I have no doubt that this next one will be the same.

“It’s time you caught up with me,” he says, tilting his head at me. “And you guys, too.” He lifts his chin at Lucas and Chris.

Lucas presses his lips together. “Just because you popped a baby in your wife less than two months after you guys were married, doesn’t mean we’re all the same.”

Aiden makes a noise of agreements, sliding his gaze to me. “And when are you two going to have kids?” he asks. “Chris is marrying Gabi in two days, which means they’ll be next.”

“We will?” Chris says with a nervous laugh. I know full well that the guy wants a baby with Gabi, though. He’s made it clear time and time again that he’d give her anything she wants no matter what.

Aiden smirks at him before turning his attention back to me. “Isn’t it about time?” he asks.

I take a sip of my drink. I can’t say I’ve dreamed of having kids, at least not before Rosie showed up in my life. Growing up with the father I had kind of soured me on the whole subject, but my biological dad was the best man I knew, and thinking about how he raised me, and how much I loved him… I think I’d make a pretty great dad.

I know for a fact Rosie would be an amazing mom. That girl is full of life, and smiles, and love, and always sees the best in the world. And I can’t pretend that the idea of seeing a little kid look like both Rosie and me doesn’t make me smile.

Yeah, I think I might want kids after all.

“It’s coming,” I tell him, swallowing down my sip. “I have some other things I need to worry about first.”

His brows bunch together. “Like what?” he asks. “I thought you guys were settling down in New York now.”

“We are,” I affirm with a nod. “That’s not what I was talking about.”

“Then what else is there?”

A grin pulls at my lips as I reach for the small, black box in my pocket and pull it out, opening it up to the guys.

Aiden freezes mid sip, and swallows harshly, placing the cup on the table. “Yes!” he says, fanning his face in a dramatic gesture that makes me roll my eyes. “Yes. Yes. A million times yes.”

“You’re a fucking idiot,” I say with a scoff. “Shut the fuck up before you make a scene and this shit gets on the news before I can actually propose.”

He lets out a laugh, his eyes zoning in on the ring. “Holy shit. You’re really going to propose?” he asks.

“That’s the plan,” I tell the guys, my neck cracking at the thought. I’m so fucking excited for this next step, but I can’t help the rush of nerves that flood through my body. What if she somehow says no? What if she doesn’t want to marry me?

In the back of my mind I know it’s a stupid idea, and that we’re made for each other, but I can’t help but think I’ll never be good enough for her, even after nine years of being together .

Rosie is an angel. She’s so sweet, and soft and kind, and fuck… I love her so much.

I just hope she wants to marry me as much as I want to marry her.

“What do you guys think?” I ask them, showing them the ring.

“It’s beautiful,” James says, his eyes widening at the ring. “It must have cost a fortune.”

Yeah, it really did. But there’s no way I was getting anything other than Rosie’s dream engagement ring. It took me forever to discreetly find her inspiration board, but once I did, I had everything I needed to make it perfect for her.

“All I got was this tattoo,” he says with a scoff, lifting his ring finger to show off his matching wedding band tattoo with Carter that they decided to get instead of rings.

“You told me you wanted a tattoo because it lasted forever,” Carter says, dumbfounded.

James sighs. “Yeah, well, now I want jewelry.”

His husband laughs, shaking his head, but then wraps his arm around James’ waist, and leans down to speak against his ear. “First thing we’re doing when we get back home is running to a jeweler to get you a ring,” he says, holding James’ hand in his.

James spins his head to face Carter, lifting his brows. “Wait. Really?” he asks. “Are you serious?”

“Yes,” Carter confirms with a smile. “I love our tattoos, but if you want a ring, then you’re getting a ring.”

James breaks out into a smile. “I love you,” he murmurs, clutching Carter’s face before he leans in to kiss him .

I scoff a little at the sight. “How the hell did my proposal end with you guys deciding to buy rings?” I ask them, but they don’t hear me, lost in their own world. I glance at the guys with a confused look on my face. “Should we break them up or…”

“Nah. Let them celebrate,” Lucas says, with a smirk on his lips as he looks at his best friend, happy and in love. “At least it’s just a kiss.”

“For now,” Chris chimes in with a laugh. “It’s still early.”

The guys laugh while James and Carter make out, and Aiden zones in on the ring. “Wow. You’re really going to propose,” he says with a smile.

“I am,” I confirm, my own lips turning up into a smile at the thought of getting down on one knee and asking the love of my life to be my wife.

“About time,” Lucas says with a laugh. “I didn’t think it would take you guys this long.”

“I know,” I say with a sigh. “I’m happy though, and I can’t wait to make her my wife.”

“When exactly are you proposing?” Chris asks with narrowed eyes. “If it’s this weekend, Gabi will kill you.”

“He’s not joking, either,” Aiden says with a chuckle. “That girl will skin you alive.”

I let out a scoff. “Trust me, I know,” I tell the guys. “We’ve already had this conversation this morning, and I promised her I wouldn’t steal her thunder.”

“Dude. What the fuck?” Aiden says with knitted brows. “You told her before us? Before me ? ”

I shake my head. “She cockblocked me, and then gave me a lecture about Rosie, and I knew it would shut her up, and maybe she’d finally be on my side for once.”

Aiden lets out a scoff, taking a sip of his drink. “Gabi, on your side?” he asks, surprise coating his tone. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that.”

I shrug. “She told me she’d keep it a secret,” I say, hoping she sticks to her word.

“And you’re sure she won’t tell the girls while they’re out at brunch? Or the spa tomorrow? Or the bachelorette party?” Chris asks with a laugh. “I love my girl, I really fucking do, but she can’t keep a secret to save her life.”

I shrug. “I really don’t fucking know. I hope she doesn’t, or else I will steal her thunder, and propose on her wedding day.”

Aiden whistles, shaking his head. “That’s a death sentence, dude. Don’t do it.”

He might be joking, but Gabi won’t be when she plunges a knife in my chest if I do end up proposing on her wedding day. “You’re right,” I say with a laugh. “I feel bad for the guy who ends up with her,” I joke, glancing at Chris who just smiles in return.

“Are you ready?” Aiden asks Chris, patting him on the shoulder. “You’re finally marrying the girl of your dreams.”

“Fuck yeah,” he replies with a grin. “I’ve been wanting to marry her for fucking years. I would have married her as soon as we graduated college, with a ring pop in the court house if that’s what it took.” He shakes his head in disbelief, his lips curved in a warm smile. “I can’t believe it’s finally happening.”

I smile as I take a sip of my drink.

I can’t wait to feel like that.