Page 9 of Embers in the Outfield

“Please don’t tell a soul. No one knows. She’s just a few weeks along, and I just don’t want to get everyone’s hopes up.” His eyes drift to my brother, and Clay nods in acknowledgment.

Clay knows all too well how things can take a turn. We all absorb the past a bit in that instance, but I can’t help but turn to my best friend and congratulate him. “Dude, I can’t just sit here and not say something positive. I’m really excited for you. You’re going to be an amazing father. The best father.” And I mean every word of it.

Ash has always dreamed of getting married and having children. I remember him talking about it on the phone with me after he met Samara. He knew from their first date she was the one. Of course at the time, I thought he was full of shit, but now I see they complement each other well. I think he always wanted the opportunity to give a child the chance he didn’t have with loving parents from the start.

“Yeah, man, congrats.” My brother follows suit and smiles at Ashton. I know there’s pain in his words, his thoughts most likely deviating to his own experiences with a life he thought was going to be filled with babies and memories to build, but he can’t quite have the same optimism as Ashton right now. Luckily, he isn’t holding onto it as he looks at Ashton with genuine happiness for him.

The ladies make it back to the table, their eyes puffy like they’ve been crying.

“You two okay?” Ashton asks as he pulls the chair out for his wife-to-be. The moment Samara is seated, Kennedy pulls Ashton in a hug. I can see her whispering something in his ear, and I see her embrace pull him tighter.

When they pull apart, I see fresh tears coming down her cheeks. The way I see her smile grow, genuine happiness radiating off her, the genuine love she has for them is palpable.

Soon I get an elbow to the rib, and I look over at my brother. “What the fuck, Clay?”

“Wipe right here.” He points to the corner of his mouth. “You’re drooling, dumbass.”

Yeah, I’m royally fucked.

CHAPTER 4

Kennedy

“I am honored to introduce,for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Caldon!” the chaplain announces to a room full of their loved ones. Cheers fill the room while Samara and Ashton officially share their first kiss as husband and wife.

I fight the tears that are threatening to spill down my cheeks as I watch my closest friend marry her person. The moment their kiss breaks apart, I see their happiness in the smiles they save for one another.

I hand Samara her bouquet as she makes her way down the aisle. Her smile beams as she walks away, and my heart melts for my best friend, knowing she has waited for this day for some time between her and Ashton.

It’s my turn to walk down with my partner, and that’s when my eyes lock on River’s hazel irises.

He gives me his cocky smile, knowing it’s killing me to have to be near him right now. He’s been the bane of my existence since we crossed paths a years ago.

“Always a pleasure holding you close, Skipper,” he mocks as my arm interlocks with his.

What have I done in this lifetime to deserve this shit on the regular?

All these years, we’ve been thrust together with events between our closest friends. Add in the wedding festivities for Sam and Ash, and we’ve been around each other all the time. He’s found every single way to rub me wrong, yet it’s become such a norm for me. I don’t know what I’ll do once we don’t have all these wedding obligations to stick to.

Top that off with the fact that in all the time we’ve known one another, I feel like his looks have only improved. He’s gotten bulkier the longer he’s worked as a firefighter; his cut jawline leans more toward a GQ model than someone who is running into burning buildings. Much like tonight, with the tux he’s sporting now, he’s downright edible. Too bad the moment he opens his mouth, I’m reminded why I can’t stand him.

“Wave at your exciting date,” River says as his lips move closer into my personal space and whispers into my ear while we both smile as we walk along the aisle.

I will not dwell on the fact that feeling his lips this close to my skin is making me break out in goosebumps down my spine, and that feeling progresses down to my fucking core. Damn him and all he seems to be doing lately to my body. It’s playing tricks on me.

I will not be sexually attracted to River. I repeat, I will not let my sex life intermingle with River. I should say lack thereof because I haven’t had sex in way too long. That’s probably all this is; my body is reacting to his proximity because I just need to get laid.

At River’s little comment, I turn to the right to find Darius, the person who Samara’s mother thought I would connect with. I think they met at one of the games at the stadium, and he has season tickets. That might be the most exciting thing about him. And I wouldn’t call him my date. He’s someone Dorothy thoughtI’d find similarities with, but I think my morning piece of toast has a bigger personality than him.

“Shut up. At least he has a brain,” I jab, looking over to our left to find Karissa, River’s overindulgent date, taking selfies by the flowers at the end of the aisle, trying to angle the camera to pick up some of the views if I were to guess.

“She’s an influencer. She has to take photos for her job,” he explains, although his tone lacks conviction.

“Yes, and she’s dating you for your impeccable personality too,” I say, as I know this girl is completely in it for the gram.

No offense to River, but the fact he’s good-looking and a firefighter is a huge plus for women like Karissa. There’s an opportunity to take photos with people in his firehouse, and I have a feeling she’s all for the photo op and not the connection. I fight hard to keep from rolling my eyes, well aware photos and videos are being taken of us as we make our quick walk down the aisle.

Before we can walk through the double doors into the venue, we are stopped by a woman at the end of the aisle.

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