Page 112 of Friend Zoned

Jeannie comes out just as he asks the last question. “Seth, remember what I told you. There are worse things than being a parent, and I know you can be a good father. Look, I’m going to Jeannie’s. Meet me there.” He exhales in relief. Seth is an immature clown most times, but I’ve seen sides of him that no one else has. He’s more than the guy who moons all of us in the locker room before every game. He’s more than the guy who feels a need to screw every woman who smiles at him. “I’ll text you the address.”

“Thanks, Coach.” He seems relieved. I don’t know what I can do about his situation though. I end the call and text him the address.

“Your parents won’t mind, will they?” I ask while I find a shirt to wear.

“Not at all. If we’re announcing our engagement, I’m inviting Layla or there will be hell to pay if she finds out last.”

Seth is already there when we arrive. He doesn’t wait outside for me. He’s in the house chatting with one of Jeannie’s cousins. The house is full of family, and everyone claps when we walk in. They all push Jeannie aside to crowd around me and Seth, who’s a big hit.

I reach for Jeannie’s hand and pull her to me. “I’d like to say something, please.” I raise my voice to get everyone’s attention. They immediately quiet down. “As you all know, I met this beautiful woman six months ago. She came into my world and became the center of it. Today, I asked her to marry me, and she said yes.” The words are barely out of my mouth before the house erupts in pure pandemonium.

Myra bursts her way through everyone and takes me and Jeannie in a tight hug. Her husband joins us. “I’m so happy,” Myra says. “You’re a good guy.” She cups my face, and I bend down so she can kiss my cheek. “You call me Mom from now on.”

“And you call me Papi,” her father says. He offers me his hand and gives me a firm shake.

“O-M-G,” Layla says a few minutes later. “If I’m not in the wedding, I’ll die. I’m so happy, Jeannie. She’s like my big sister,” she says to me. “She’s the good family. The kind I chose.” She hugs Jeannie and bursts into tears. “I wish I could be there when the douchebag finds out.” She laughs through her tears. “I know. I know. This is about you guys, but I just hate him so much. So, I’m in the wedding, right?”

Jeannie pulls her aside, and whatever she says must make Layla happy because the two of them hug. “You’re finally doing it, Coach,” Seth says to me. “That will never be me, but congrats. Can I be in the wedding too? Chastain’s wedding is the first one I’ve ever been to.”

“Did someone say my name?” Colt walks in with his wife and Evan, but the baby is not with them. “Myra invited me over to celebrate my Superbowl win,” he whispers.

“And you two are doing this again tomorrow, but at my dad's and evil stepmom’s,” Vickie says. “Be there by one, and don’t forget about my party next week.” She hugs me before she hugs Jeannie and Layla. “You can come too, Layla.” I see Layla blush, but when she looks at Seth, she makes a face like she smells something bad. Seth sees it. His eyes narrow at her. If there’s one thing that kid can’t take, it’s a snub.

“Everyone, come to the backyard. I have drinks and I’m going to bring out the food,” Myra announces. I grab Jeannie’s hand.

“Do I really have to call your father, Papi?” I ask.

“It’s up to you, baby, but Quintin was only allowed to call him Mr. Dubois.”

“Really?” I ask, feeling a sudden bout of pride. “Papi it is then.”

“I thought you might see it that way.” She stops walking suddenly and looks up into my eyes. “I don’t want a long engagement. I want to be married before the new year.”

“You’re singing my song, but I want a real wedding. You in a white dress being walked down the aisle by our papi.”

She laughs at that. “Done. I can’t wait. And I can’t wait to be Mrs. Walsh.” She holds my stare while she says it. “Jeannine Denise Walsh. I love the sound of that.”

I bend down and kiss her lips. “I love it even more, but are you sure?”

“For my one in a billion? Absolutely. You get parts of me no one else does. There’s one more thing I want.”

“You can have anything, you know that.”

“I want a dog.” That one takes me by surprise. “A Great Dane, but you have to walk it, especially in the rain and snow.” I lean down and kiss the tip of her nose.

“Picking up big piles of dog shit in the snow and rain is my job. Got it. Here’s what I want,” I whisper in her ear. “When everyone’s distracted, we’re sneaking inside and I’m fucking you in your old room.”

“Done,” she says.

I tuck her arm into mine and we walk to the backyard. It’s a beautiful day and they have tables set outside. There are two grills going and music playing. Jeannie’s cousin, Erica, comes by with a tray of drinks, and as I take a sip, I notice Wakowski approaching Layla.

“What’s your problem?” he asks her. She sips, completely unbothered by him.

“I don’t have a problem. What’s yours?”

“You,” he says, pointing at her. She swats his hand away.

“Really? Good thing I don’t care then, isn’t it?” She cackles, and Seth scowls. He looks down at her, but she doesn’t seem intimidated by the nearly seven-foot man staring daggers at her.

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