39. One Of Us Tabby

J ax didn’t hesitate and brought over a load of his things the next morning. He and Ethan had an agreement since things were going well with Megan—as he moved out, she moved in. It worked out for all of us.

He picked me up after work that Thursday and we agreed to announce to the group our new status. I hadn’t even told Annie the news, and Ethan wasn’t a gossip, so chances were high that it would be a surprise to everyone.

I clutched Jax’s hand while we walked from the garage to the store, eyeing him with a dreamy gaze at his side. He playfully bumped me with his shoulder on the way. Jax brought a change of clothes for me in his car so we wouldn’t have to detour back home before coming—while I’d gotten used to dressing nicely at work, being casual for D&D was still important to me.

“You ready for this?” I asked him before we went through the doors.

“Are you kidding? I can’t wait to see the look on Annie’s face.” He winked, then charged through, yanking me behind him.

Gavin and his boyfriend were loudly laughing when we made it to the table, showing off a new set of dice. Cordelia set up a few hand-painted decorations for the board. Ethan locked up behind us and found his seat, clearing his throat before he sat to draw attention to us.

When everyone looked up, they went quiet. A moment passed.

“So, we have a bit of an announcement,” I said, glancing between Jax and the rest of them.

“It’s about fucking time,” Gavin said, breaking into applause.

Everyone laughed and clapped along while Jax and I turned bright red and chuckled into each other. So much for declaring our love as some big surprise.

Annie hurried over and hugged us both. “I’m so excited, I can’t see straight.”

“Aw, and you’re the only one of us who can,” I said, bringing her close. “You’re just happy to know I’m not with a complete asshole.”

“Well, that, and...” She cocked a brow at Jax.

I squinted at her. “What are you two up to?”

“Nothing that concerns you. Yet.” Annie pecked me on the cheek and went back to her chair.

“But she hates this kinda thing,” I said to Jax with a scoff.

“You have that wrong. She just hated Rob.” He put his forehead against mine. “Actually, I’ve found she’s quite useful.”

“You’re hiding something. I demand to know what it is.”

“Oh, you’ll find out soon enough, Hwa. Patience, grasshoppa. ” He kissed and lifted me slightly off the ground.

“Okay, now you two are making me sick,” Gavin’s boyfriend said.

“You know, I still don’t actually know your name,” retorted Jax, keeping his arm around me. “Every time I think about you, I still say Hawk in my head.”

The group practically erupted with more laughter. “The jig is up, man. Spill it,” Gavin said, displaying his open hand as an invitation.

He sighed and folded his arms. “My name’s Toby. I don’t like being confused with Tabby, alright?”

Jax snorted. “Seriously? That’s the reason?”

“I’m still partial to Stationary ,” Annie said, winking at him.

Toby stood from the table and flipped us all off, then sat on Gavin’s lap and shook his dice for us to begin. “Enough of this mushy bullshit. Like Annie says—to the death!”

The End