Epilogue Take Two

Asher

One thing I will say about Maeve’s aunt Vivian is that she sure knows how to throw a party. And the food is absolutely fantastic at our wedding celebration at the end of the summer. Since, well, Maeve and I got married again last week. It was a low-key affair, just friends and close family at my dads’ home in Sausalito, with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Beckett served as the best man.

Now, we’re at a coffee shop in Hayes Valley for the party. The shop is perfect since it just started carrying Maeve’s artwork. It’s called MainLine, and Vivian rented it out for the night. Servers swing by with figs stuffed with goat cheese, mini mango tacos with Carlos’s cilantro, and a trio of bruschetta options among other bites. And of course there are warm nuts.

It’s the perfect setting—casual but fun—and somehow Vivian has managed to get the whole team, all our families, and all our friends into this space. Even Coach is here.

Vivian’s busy chatting with Carlos in the corner by the front of the shop, and she looks relaxed and happy. When Vivian finally accepted that Maeve wasn’t going to take over the catering business, she gave us her blessing, so to speak. And then I introduced her to Carlos, since he works in restaurant finance. He’s helping her look for a buyer so she can retire, and judging from the smiles and laughter, everything is going to work out just fine for Maeve’s aunt.

My gaze drifts to my wife, who’s wearing my vest— fine, it’s now hers—and a pair of jeans, and the whole look makes me want to do bad things to her. But I did those before, and I’ll do them after. That won’t ever change, I know it. What has changed in a handful of months is this—I’ve started to chill the fuck out . Maeve still does her wrists exercises, but thanks to my work in therapy I’m seeing them now as proactive rather than a harbinger of doom. I also stopped sending J-dad articles on the side effects of his medication. He knows them already.

Maeve’s with her group of friends, but chatting specifically with Leighton, and I’d be willing to bet it’s about the apartment. Maeve’s sub-lease ran out finally, so the weird pigeon place is out of her hands now, and Leighton is moving back in with her roommates in a couple weeks.

Music sounds over the speakers, and it sounds like one of Wesley’s playlists. That feels fitting too.

Wesley and I are standing by the coffee bar, outfitted to serve champagne and wine tonight, while Josie shows off her ring to her friends. My teammate proposed to her a few days ago, and Josie’s very much enjoying her moment with the bling.

“Beat you to it,” I say to my teammate.

“Didn’t know it was a contest to propose first,” he says.

“One, everything is, and two, I beat you to marriage as well,” I reply, as Miles meanders through the crowd, making his way toward us while once again looking like he’s fighting to keep his gaze off Leighton. I’m going to have to warn him that he’s getting seriously see-through.

When he joins us, he gives a chin nod and a lift of his beer glass. “Finally, we can celebrate the fact that you wouldn’t be here without us,” he says to me.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I’m here because of you fuckers?”

“Dude, we’re your wingmen,” he says with a crisp nod.

“The DickNose board agrees,” Wesley chimes in.

“Fair enough. The DickNose board gave great tips. A toast to the DickNose board and the best damn wingmen ever,” I say, raising my glass.

“Best? Did I hear something about the best?” Max asks. “You must be talking about me. And if it’s summer poker league, you guys are toast.”

“Yes, yes, we know. You like to win at poker,” Wesley says to our goalie.

“Can’t help it if I’m the GOAT,” Max remarks.

A throat clears. “Maybe I’ll have to take you on someday.”

I straighten at the sound of Coach McBride, but I don’t go as ruler-straight as Miles does. Dude looks like the principal just walked in. Well, he kind of did.

“Hey, Coach,” I say to the guy we all look up to. He’s a former player and one of the best coaches in the league. “You want in on our poker games? ”

It’s not the first time he’s joked about it. But it’s become a running gag.

“Actually, I have another player for your games instead. And it’s someone Miles knows well.” He turns to Miles and says, “Did you hear the news?”

Miles swallows, looking a little uncomfortable. “No, sir.”

“Your brother is joining the Sea Dogs. Eleanor Greer just traded for Tyler,” he says, then looks at his watch, “about an hour ago. I’ve been looking for a player like him.”

Damn, he’ll be a great addition to the team, and my dads had been betting on this trade to happen for some time.

Coach McBride claps Miles on the shoulder. “It’ll be great to have you two on the same team. Especially if you become co-captain this season.”

Then he walks away on that mic drop, and we all turn to Miles.

“Co-captain,” I whisper. The coach has talked about mixing up the leadership group from a captain and alternates to a co-captain. And this could be huge for my friend. “You’re going to be co-captain.”

Miles just blinks, then his gaze drifts once more to Leighton, and I laugh. “Dude, you are so fucked.”

“Tell me about it,” he mutters.

But I’ll be there for him no matter what he has to deal with, just like he was there for me—just like all these guys are here for each other.

Right now, though, I need to see Maeve. I just do. I make my way through the crowd and find her with her friends, who are like her family. I cut in, saying, “Excuse me. May I have this dance with my wife? ”

“Yes, you may,” Leighton says with a grin.

Then I take Mrs. Callahan’s hand and lead her onto the makeshift dance floor amongst the artwork. “We never had a dance as husband and wife in Vegas.”

“Lucky us,” she says. “We get to do all these things now. I guess that’s the benefit of falling in love with your best friend and having two weddings.”

“So many benefits and I love all of them.”

I kiss my wife in front of everyone as “The Way You Look Tonight” plays. And tomorrow, I’ll take her on our honeymoon in Paris—like I promised I would.