Page 121 of Of Pucking Course

“Yeah, um…I’m not actually married.”

His brown hits his hairline. “What?”

I explain everything to him. When I finish, the biggest smile spreads across his handsome face.

He tugs a hand through his hair. “Holy shit…”

“Holy shit is right.” I let out another disbelieving laugh.

He cups his hands over my cheeks. His touch is warm and comforting and everything I need right now.

“How do you feel?” he asks, his voice soft.

“Shocked. But relieved. And so happy.”

He presses a soft kiss to my lips.

“I want to celebrate,” I blurt.

He flashes a half-smile. “Yeah?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

“Let’s do it.”

Del raises his shot of tequila. “I propose a toast.”

Everyone around our usual table at Spanky’s raises their glasses.

“To that drunk officiant who screwed up filling out the marriage license so that my sister was never legally married to a guy who was never good enough for her in the first place.”

I laugh and raise my tequila shot. “To the drunk officiant.”

Everyone at the table cheers and downs their shots. I can’t believe everyone was able to make it out tonight. When I texted Sophie, Maya, Ingrid, and Bella the news, they were all stunned and wanted to go out to celebrate. Sam texted the guys on the team, and they all had the same reaction: shocked, followed by wanting to celebrate.

I was honestly surprised. They’re in the middle of the first round of playoffs. I figured they’d want to stay home and recover in between games. But they were insistent that they come out and support me.

My chest warms as I look at all my friends sitting around at our table.

“Thanks again, you guys, for coming out tonight. I know it was last-minute, and I know that you’re all so busy right now.” I stop as emotion wells up inside of me. “It means a lot that you’re all here to support me.”

“We love you, Dakota,” Sophie says as she pulls me into a side hug. “We’ll always be here for you.”

Ingrid beams. “Always.”

“Always,” Del says, offering a rare smile.

I beam at my big brother.

“We’ll always take an excuse to go out for some drinks,” Xander says. I chuckle.

“But seriously, we’re happy for you,” Xander says.

“Yeah. It’s pretty cool you don’t have to go through all that legal stuff anymore,” Blomdahl says. Theo nods along.

“I’m just glad you guys don’t think it’s tacky that I’m outcelebrating the end of my relationship.” I let out an embarrassed laugh.

Bella shakes her head. “Not tacky at all. You do whatever you want. Whatever makes you happy.”

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