Page 51 of The Pass Protection
Chloe gasps, clutching her heart. “Pineapple goes on pizza, and that’s a hill I’ll die on.”
A giggle breaks free as I watch her dramatics. “Okay, okay. Do they have a buffalo ranch?” Brynn nods. “Perfect. I’ll take that.”
“Ohemgee, it’s like I’m ordering for the guys with all the wings to satisfy everyone’s sauce craving.” I watch as she types a hundred miles an hour on her phone before smiling. “Food is ordered. Steve said he’ll have his delivery driver bring it to us when it’s ready.”
A natural silence falls over the room as we all cozy up on the oversized couch. ESPN plays on the TV with an afternoon football game. I like that there isn’t an awkward need for conversation. Glancing around the three girls, I can’t help but smile at how different we all are. I love how not one of us decided to dress up for tonight’s game. Each one of us are in our own comfortable style. Chloe’s wearing a powder blue matching loungewear set. Brynn’s outfit is an oversized jersey with Quinton’s number on the back with a pair of navy bike shorts peeking out underneath. Then there’s Macy. She’s the craziest out of all of us. I mean, who wears jeans to lounge around in? Crazy people, that’s who. She has a cropped, uniquely designed CTU hoodie on, and I’m assuming it’s one that she designed herself.
I’ve heard a lot about her one-of-a-kind designs where she mixes and matches fabrics to create custom tops. Photos of her designs are shared on many fashion social media accounts. The girl istalented. I alreadyhave a design in mind whenever Crew and I take our relationship public.
“Anyone want a drink?” I stand from my spot and move around the table.
“What are our options?” Brynn asks.
Macy scoffs. “As if you didn’t pack tequila.”
“Actually, I didn’t.” Brynn sticks her tongue out at Macy, who laughs.
“I think we have a bottle of tequila in the freezer. JP has some kind of whiskey, and we have plenty of beer, seltzers, Coke, and water.”
A knock at the door interrupts our conversation. “Let me grab that.”
The girls discuss which drinks we are drinking tonight while I go to answer the door. The drink dilemma is crucial. It could be a shots kind of night, a margarita on the rocks kind of night, or a chill canned alcoholic beverage kind of night.
Unlocking the door, I twist the handle, fully expecting the delivery driver to be here with the wings. Instead, a petite girl with light brown and blonde balayage hair stares back at me. “Savannah!”
“Hey, girl!” She steps inside the door and wraps her arms around my shoulders for a quick hug. “Thanks for having me over tonight.”
“Oh my gosh, of course. I’m glad you could come. I didn’t have your number, or I would’ve invited you myself.”
As I shut and lock the door behind us, we step farther into the room. “We’ll change that tonight.”
With a smile, we walk into the living room as shouts of greeting fill the air. Brynn jumps up from her seat. “Okay, now that you’re here, let’s take a selfie before we get the night started.”
We giggle as we settle around the couch, finding our positions for the perfect selfie. Brynn is in the middle with her arm in the air, the front camera of her phone facing us.
“Squish tighter.” And we do until our faces nearly smash each other, laughter pouring out of us. Brynn must like where we are positioned. “On the count of three, everyone yell ‘Brynn is pregnant.’ One.”Click.
Our jaws drop as we realize what she just said. Screams fill the air as we all squeeze the platinum blonde in front of us. Chloe and Macy start crying, tears pouring down their faces as Savannah and I smile brightly at our friends.
“You bitch, I can’t believe you’ve been keeping this a secret!” Chloe cries.
Brynn slips out from under our arms and slides her jersey up over her hips. A tiny bump shows on flawless skin. “I’m due in January.”
“Wait.” Macy’s eyes widen. “That means you’re—”
“Twenty-one weeks,” Brynn interrupts. “This has been the hardest secret I’ve ever had to keep from you guys.”
“Wow, B. There’s a little jelly bean in your belly.” Chloe reaches out and rubs Brynn’s tiny bump. The smile on her face is contagious as she radiates a beautiful glow.
“I had no idea you and Q wanted kids so quick,” Savannah adds from her spot on the couch.
Brynn lets out a nervous laugh. “Funny story. Remember when I got sick last spring after the NFL draft? Well, turns out the antibiotics messed with my birth control, which I should have known, but…” She shrugs. “Anyway, we were quite shocked when I missed my period.”
“Oh my gosh, that’s like my biggest fear,” Savannah muses, and Chloe hits her with a pillow. Sav’s eyes widen and bounce up to Brynn’s. “Shit, I’m sorry.”
“No, girl. Don’t be sorry. Believe me, we have been in shock and denial for weeks. Now that we’re well out of the first trimester, we’re over the moon to start our family.”
“I’m super happy for you.” I stand and give my newfound friend a big hug.
